Summer Reading Program at the Salem Library

The Salem Library’s Summer Reading Program starts Saturday, June 23rd and ends July 24th with an ”End of Summer Reading” party. This program combines a reading challenge with numerous activities to introduce and foster literacy. The Library’s program compliments the Salem/East Lyme Summer Reading for grades 1 through 6 and The Governor’s Reading Challenge. Each book read “counts” in all the programs.

.The Library’s program adds activities – described below – including coloring, puzzles, movies, fun guest performers, and a weekly story and craft time – all to encourage library use and reading,  Check the calendar for the times and locations  of activities.  The activities are targeted to pre-K through 4^th grade.

Activities in the Children’s Library: Each week there will be theme-based material available in the Children’s Library including coloring, puzzle, and home activity sheets. Also there will be a list of appropriate books, movies, and Web sites that you and your child can explore. Each Monday, a G-rated movie will run continuously from 1 p.m. to closing (8 p.m.) in the children’s activity room.

Reading Challenge: As in the past years, The Friends will promote a reading challenge to children and caregivers. For pre-readers, score sheets will allow you to track the number of books read to the child. For readers, you use score sheets to track the number of pages read. Upon completion of a sheet, the child can visit the” Treasure Chest” to pick out his/her prize. Copies of the score sheets (free in the Library) are turned in to the librarian on duty and additional prizes will be awarded at the end of Summer Reading to the top readers. Keep the original sheets to be turned into Salem School in September.  Please sign up at the circulation desk for the challenge. Sign ups start on June 23^rd and continue throughout Summer Reading.

Kick Off and Sign Up: Through arrangements made by our resident State Trooper, Kevin Seery, Summer Reading will hold I.D. Your Child on June 23^rd.  An I.D. kit with your child’s personal data including fingerprinting will be created for you to take home. You can sign up for Summer Reading at this event.

Story and Crafts: Again this year, Sarah Dudley from the CT. Trails Council of Girls Scouts will hold the very popular story and craft sessions Tuesday afternoons. No sign up; just show up. Open to both boys and girls. Please note:  No session the week of July 9^th.

State Police Search Dogs:  State Trooper Pat will bring his search dog and demonstrate how his canine friend helps him detect things. There is the possibility of some special surprises depending upon availability. 

The Book Detective: Meet a larger-than-life raccoon detective who loves to help children discover the wonders hidden in books. The children will help him decipher clues written in code that lead to the discovery of funny stories and tales.

The Fossil Hunter: Children will be able to see and touch an abundance of various fossils that are up to 500 million years old! They will learn from a real life fossil hunter on how to search for fossils.

Mad Science: Discover forensic science and how it plays a central role in solving crimes. Create and analyze fingerprint and dental records. Test your observation skills.

End of Summer Reading Party with Tom Foolery: Thanks to the Gardner Lake Fire Co. for letting us use the fire station for our party. Tom Foolery will present magic, foolery followed by more foolery. Reading challenge prizes will be awarded and ice cream served. The Gardner Lake ambulance and fire truck will be on display afterwards. 

FAQ’s:  How much does this program cost? All programs are free. The program is paid for by The Friends of the Salem Library and by private donations. All activities are open to everyone.

What do I need to sign up for? We would like everyone to sign up so we know how many are attending. You must sign up for the reading challenge if you want to be eligible for prizes. All other programs and activities, just show up. Further questions? Call 859-1641

The program is sponsored by The Friends of the Salem Library in collaboration with the Salem Library Staff and the CT. Trails Council of Girl Scouts. Summer Reading will use a national program called “Get a Clue”.