Adventures in Chelsea Library’s Adult Summer Reading Challenge

While at the kick-off of the Chelsea District Library‘s summer reading program last month, two Chelsea Update staff members signed up for the Adult Reading Challenge.

By now, some of you have met Elizabeth Richardson, who joined Chelsea Update after I closed down Dexter Update. She’s chosen the library and the senior center as two places she wants to cover in her new position.

So, while at the kickoff, I signed us both up to take the Adult summer reading challenge, which runs through July 30. (And, adult readers, you can still sign up by stopping by the library.)

Among the things adults are asked to do is:

• attend a library event
• borrow from a recommendation shelf or display at the library
• visit the Big 400
• borrow a digital magazine using the Zinio service.
• And of course, read books.
• Adults who read three books earn a prize and entry into the grand prize drawing. The more reading you do, the more slips you can place in the drawing.

The theme for the adult game this year is “The Big 400,” celebrating Chelsea’s location as the gateway to 400+ acres of natural playground in the form of the Waterloo and Pinckney State Recreation Areas, according to information provided by the library.

Adult reading game players can choose between a traditional reading log game and a checklist of library-related activities. Players who complete the game will win their choice of gift certificates to ZouZou’s or the Chelsea Bakery.

Adults can also win slips for the grand prize drawing for prizes that include a Trek bicycle, a Nook Glowlight e-reader, or gift certificates to Thompson’s Pizza, the Garden Mill, or the Common Grill, according to the information.

Elizabeth has already read “Misty Of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry and “Murder in Murray Hill” by Victoria Thompson.

I, too, read “Misty of Chincoteague” but have concentrated my summer reading on “Washington” by Ron Chernow, which is more than 800 very dense but fascinating pages. (And, personally, I think this should count as four books.)

Both of us have already attended a library event — the Friends of the Library book sale and I have a number of new books on my shelves thanks to the $5 a bag deal.

In addition, Elizabeth’s covered several library events, has written stories and taken photos as well.

I’ve also explored (and covered local history) at www.StoriesofChelsea.org.

And, there is nothing better than to read outdoors, something I try to do at least once a day in my yard, which also happens to be in the Big 400 region. (Does that count as two things?)

Elizabeth loves to listen to audiobooks — but I’m not sure she listens to them while walking, however.

Nonetheless, I think she’s checked off more things on her list than I have on mine, but, since the contest runs through July 30, I still have time to catch-up.

On June 10, “Fizz, Boom, Read!” kicked-off with a Mad, Mad Science Party on the library lawn.

Children, teens, and adults can win prizes just for reading during Summer Reading, which runs through July 30. All ages, including “listeners”—babies, toddlers, and preschoolers—are invited to participate.

Listeners and readers receive a prize for every 5 books they read, and win a free book after reading 20 books. Teens win prizes for every 5 hours they read, and 20 hours earns them a free book as well.

All kids and teens also earn slips for grand prizes throughout the summer for reading and participating in library activities.

Children’s prizes include tickets to Cedar Point, a children’s bike (courtesy of Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors), a three-month pass to the Chelsea Treehouse, a Rocket Race Car, several different science kits, a children’s bowling ball and bag, and more. Teens have the chance to win one of two $100 Amazon gift cards, according to library information.

The library’s “Science Lab” and “Math Station” will feature a new activity each week. Participants can earn extra drawing slips towards grand prizes.

Jessica Schmidt, youth and teen librarian, said in a press release that this year’s Summer Reading science-based theme is a natural tie-in to the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) initiatives happening in schools and libraries across the country.

Please enjoy the slide show below from the event.