To borrow from the Alice Cooper lyric, "School's out for summer" which means the fun has begun at the Wilton Library with the Read, Recycle & Renew children's summer reading program for kids from pre-school to middle school. Registration for the reading program is ongoing at the library. Kids can come to the library any time to decorate their Earth shapes which will hold the stickers they will receive for reading books or having books read to them. In this way, they can keep track of the wonderful progress they have made during the summer. Programs throughout the season include environmental events, field trips, specific craft programs and drop-in crafts, and drop-in story times. A brochure is available in the library outlining the various activities and events. Kids ages 10 and up can volunteer to help during the programs. The program culminates with the End of Summer Reading Program party on August 16. The Read, Recycle & Renew summer reading program is sponsored by the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation. For information, call 762-3950 or register online.
Endangered species exploredAtka the Arctic Wolf comes to the library on Wednesday, June 28 from 2-3 p.m. as the first environmental event of the Read, Recycle & Renew summer reading program. Atka is a 3-year old white wolf from the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY. He is one of four wolves at the Center that teaches children about the endangered species, their relationship to the environment and the human role in protecting their future. Children 5 and under must be accompanied by adults. The summer reading program is sponsored by the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. For information, call 762-3950 or register online. Additional environmental program dates are: July 12 The Earth Balloon; July 18 Trip to the Garbage Museum; August 9 Wildman Steve Brill; and August 16 The Bat Lady.
Wolf craftChildren will be able to create their own wolf craft on Thursday, June 29 in the Read, Recycle & Renew Craft Program - Wolf Craft from 2-3 p.m. Story time, crafts and refreshments are all part of the fun. Materials fee is $5 per child/$4 for Young Readers. Advance registration is required. To register, call 762-3950. The Read, Recycle & Renew summer reading program is sponsored by the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation. Additional craft program dates are: July 13 Earth Crafts; July 25 Garbage Monster Crafts; and August 10 Recycled Crafts.
Teens have new summer programNow through Thursday, August 24, kids in grades 7-12 have their very own teen summer reading program called Read 'Em and Reap. Each week kids can meet briefly with a member of the teen library staff (Susan, Whitney or Devon) to discuss a recently read fiction or non-fiction book, whether on the summer reading lists or not. Bookmarks and tattoo decals are provided for each brief discussion any time Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m. Raffle tickets will be awarded based on the number of pages read per book. Each Thursday at 6:30, there will be a drawing of the raffle tickets for gift certificates to local merchants for ice cream, pizza and coffee/beverages (meeting the minimum requirement for all of the favorite teen food groups). The final drawing on Thursday, August 24 is for a backpack filled with coupons and gifts. Kids can receive extra raffle tickets for providing written reviews of the books they have read. All participants will receive a Wilton Library DVD/VHS free rental coupon at the completion of the program. For more information on Read 'Em and Reap, contact teen librarian Susan Lauricella at 762-3950. The summer reading program is made possible by the John and Patricia Curran Teen Fund.
Jammie timeChildren ages 3-5 can come to the library in their pajamas on Thursday, June 29 from 6:15-6:45 for Sleepytime Story Time. Kids can bring their blankets and cuddlies and listen to wonderful stories to get them ready to sleep before they go home to dream sweet dreams. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. For information, call 762-3950 or register online.
Reminder: Library is closed on Tuesday, July 4 and Sundays through September 3.