All Together Now - Summer Reading 2023 Midpoint
We're about halfway through this year's Summer Reading. It's strange to think we're this far in the year already.
So far, we have over 200 people signed up for the Challenge, and there's still time to sign up and earn points! If you haven't signed up yet, you can sign up on Beanstack, either through the link or by downloading the app. There's no need to sign up for a new account if you've used Beanstack for a previous Summer Reading Challenge, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, or Winter Reading. Just log in and join the challenge. Don't forget to log everything you read, watch, and listen to plus every event you go to. And if you're signed up as a family, don't forget to log everything for all family members.
Speaking of events, we've had some fun ones so far. Everything kicked off on June 1 with a Circus down at The District. We were joined by Bird's Eye View Circus, a circus training and performance space in Toledo. They showed off some of their balancing and juggling skills and got the audience to participate as well.
Over the first weekend of the month, we had a Sensory Garden Planting program at our Marblehead branch. Participants learned all about sensory gardens then walked over to James Park to start planting. Staff from Ida Rupp also went out to Portage River Paddling Company to mine for fossils and explore the property, which features a variety of animals.
Our first full week of programming kicked off with our Erie Islands branch heading out to Duff Woods Nature Preserve to clear out some garlic mustard, an invasive species. They cleared out 4 garbage bags full. At our Marblehead branch Marblehead Police Department and Danbury Township Fire Department provided public safety vehicles for patrons to get an up-close look at them. Ida Rupp had a variety of programs including an Art Market where kids learned about currency and budgeting before getting to use their creativity on an art project; teens went out to the Humane Society of Ottawa County to learn about volunteering and to make dog treats to give to the pups in the shelter; Bill Morgan with Sign Stage stopped by the library to teach kids some basic sign language while reading Green Eggs and Ham; and down at The District, Erie Metroparks stopped by to teach us about local wildlife and brought some animals for the crowd to interact with.
Week 2, both Ida Rupp and Erie Islands went to their respective Fire Departments. Ida Rupp got to learn all about our local heroes and the equipment they use to save lives. Erie Islands helped the department and showed their appreciation by washing the vehicles. Ida Rupp had another full week of programs: kids were given blank puzzles to create their own puzzle with markers, crayons, and colored pencils; teens learned all about caricature art from Holman Arts; The Humane Society stopped by the library to talk about the importance of neutering animals and even brought some fuzzy friends; Animal Magic joined us at The District to show off some of their exotic animals; and Miki Saito joined us at the library to teach us about traditional Japanese music and instruments.
We still have a lot more exciting events coming up. This week, the week of June 20, teens can join Mrs. Magrum at East Harbor State Park to learn about native plants and the summer solstice; we will have two opportunities to see Professor Tony's juggling and comedy at, one at The District and one on Put-In-Bay at our Erie Islands branch; and at Ida Rupp we will have a nautical picture frame craft and a board game day for the kids. Further out into the summer, we will have more crafts for all ages, a balloon show, story times, music, and a program on the history of comics and diversity. Plus, don't forget about our finale block party on July 14! We'll have a touch-a-truck event, prize opportunities, local businesses, games, and music. To see all of our Summer Reading events, check our calendar.
We hope to see everyone at the library and around our communities the rest of this summer!
