BY TOMMY MARMOLEJO
Summer should not mean a break from learning. Keep your young one’s reading skills sustained with action and let them enjoy a summer filled with adventure at A Universe of Stories, the summer reading program being offered by the three local libraries in Greater Pittston — Pittston Memorial Library, West Pittston Library and Wyoming Free Library.
Each library will theme its summer reading program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, offering programs of arts and crafts and readings based on outer space themed books and games.
“The reason we have a summer reading program is to encourage school-aged children to keep reading over the summer, so most of our programs are for this age group,” explained Kristin Boettger, coordinator of children’s services at Pittston Memorial Library.
But the summer programs at the area libraries aren’t just for school-aged children. The libraries offer reading programs geared toward every age, from toddlers, tweens, teens and even adults.
Pittston Memorial Library
At Pittston Memorial Library, the summer reading program, A Universe of Stories, is a six-week program beginning June 17 and ending July 27.
“There is something going on in the children’s wing each day we are open for these six weeks,” Boettger explained.
Registration for A Universe of Stories has begun. The Pittston Memorial Library recommends registering in person so your child can receive their reading log. Parents and children will submit reading logs to be eligible for a prize.
Teens and tweens also are invited to get involved in the summer six-week reading program with events themed just for them. Programs for older kids will be held Thursdays, with tweens gathering at noon and teens meeting at 2 p.m. Some of the upcoming projects include Air Plants on June 20 and Out of This World Tye Dye on June 27.
“Beginning in June, teens and tweens can fill out a registration sheet and pick up a READ-O board. READ-O is like a bingo board,” explained Noelle Kozak, young adult program coordinator at the Pittston Memorial Library. “Each week we want tween and teens to aim for one straight READ-O or four corners. But they are encouraged to go beyond the goal.”
There also is dedicated story times broken down by age for the tittle ones.
“Our Tuesdays are focused on our little ones where we’ll have three different story times according to age” Boettger said.
The infants group meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, followed by story time at 10:30 a.m. for toddlers and 11:30 for preschool age children.
The library also offers some furry, four-legged fun with its Furry Tails reading program. Children can practice reading aloud to READ dogs (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) with events planned Saturdays, June 8, July 13 and Aug. 10. (The June 8 program is filled; call the library to register for the July and August programs.) Any child, at any reading level, is welcome to come read to the dogs for 15-minute intervals. Children can bring their own books or use one of the library’s. The Pittston Memorial Library recommends a copy of “Madeline Finn and the Library Dog” by Lisa Papp. It’s a story about a girl named Madeline who does not like to read. Madeline wants a gold star from her teacher, but stars are only for good readers. Fortunately, Madeline meets Bonnie, a library dog who helps her improve her reading skills.
In addition to its literacy programs Pittston Memorial Library also is encourage children to be active in the community and to help those in need with its new courses to teach how to make grocery bag mats for the homeless. Course 1 began June 4. Course 2 is at 6 p.m. Thursdays, June 13, 20 and 27, and Course 3 is at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8. The Saturday class will be a longer class. Participants are welcome at any class.
There is a fee of $5 per person to purchase the special crochet hook the library needs to make the blankets. Participants are asked to bring grocery bags if possible, as one mat takes 400 bags.
At the end of summer, the Pittston Library will take its act out into the community.
“In August, we hope to be back at the Pittston Farmers Market with pop-up story times, and we hope to participate once again in Chalk the Walks, where we decorate the library’s sidewalks with uplifting drawings and sayings,” said Boettger.
For information or to register for any of the programs at Pittston Memorial Library, call 570-654-9565, ext. 26. Also, visit the library on Facebook and at pittstonmemoriallibrary.org.
West Pittston Library
The West Pittston Library will have lots of summer events for all ages and its staff is excited to share what the library has to offer.
According to Summer Belles, the West Pittston Library hopes to spread the message that reading is fun and the library is a cool place to hang out and to become well informed.
“We strive to reach all ages. This will be our second year with an adult summer reading program, as well,” said Belles.
West Pittston Library will host its summer reading quest, A Universe of Stories, beginning with registration Friday, June 21.
Each week is a different theme: stars, Star Wars, space travel, the moon, the planets, the Milky Way and aliens. Kids will read each week and are to log their minutes in order to get a prize. If they do this every week, they will complete the program and earn another prize at the end of the program. Additional prizes will be awarded to weekly top readers, the biggest reader of the summer, and raffle winners. There also will be additional events for readers.
Ages 7-11 will meet Mondays, teens on Wednesdays, and 6 and younger on Fridays.
To get in on the action and learn more, attend one of the registration time slots on Friday, June 21, at 12:15, 1, 1:45 and 2:30 p.m.
For the younger kids, West Pittston Library also will offer kindergarten readiness programs at 1 p.m. Fridays in June. Become a regular at this weekly early literacy class designed to introduce children to the library, get them interested in books and develop the skills needed for school. Spend some fun one-on-one time with your child or grandchild at the West Pittston Library reading books together, singing songs, playing games and making crafts centered around the weekly, kid-friendly theme. Learn pre-reading techniques that can be taught at home to enhance reading skills. Register by Wednesday of each week.
For information on programs at the West Pittston Library, call 570-654-9847 or follow them on Facebook and at wplibrary.org.
