(Chelsea Update would like to thank Edith Donnell for the information in this story.)
The 2015 Chelsea District Library Summer Reading/Summer Learning Program will kick off on Wednesday, June 10 from noon to 2 p.m. on the library lawn and in the library’s Park Street parking lot thanks to the support of this year’s local sponsors and donors.
Sponsors include Rick Taylor Real Estate and the Friends of the Chelsea District Library at the Platinum level and Bronze sponsor Chelsea Kiwanis. Prize and cash donors include Arctic Coliseum, Chelsea Bakery, Chelsea Lanes, Chelsea Masons Olive Lodge #156, Chelsea TreeHouse, Collected Treasures Farms, Cottage Inn Pizza, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and ZAP Zone. All ages are welcome.
Children, teens and adults can sign up and earn prizes all summer just by reading. Students at North Creek and South Meadows elementary schools will be given registration cards and reading logs to take home from school soon. Youth and teen registration information will also be available at the library starting on June 1.
This summer, children will explore science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (or STEAM for short) at the library. The youth department will become a Discovery Center, with different activities going on every week. Children will earn extra chances to win grand prizes by participating in age-appropriate math and science activities, while elementary, middle and high school students can take “Challenge Cards” from the Summer Reading Game table, full of take-home activities that will encourage reading, writing, crafting, building, designing, and more.
This summer’s theme, “Every Hero Has a Story,” will encourage kids to be their own heroes by testing their skills at problem solving and reading about heroes, real and imaginary. Teens will “Escape the Ordinary” by climbing to the top of the rock wall at the summer reading kickoff, or reading to win prizes like Cedar Point Tickets and a new GoPro camera.
Adults are encouraged to “Be a Tourist in Your Hometown” and earn prizes by exploring different Chelsea offerings, attending library programs, and, of course, reading books. Participating in the summer reading program is a fun and easy process– everyone has the opportunity to earn a completion prize (including local gift certificates, chocolates, or reduced library fines), and a handful of lucky players will win larger grand prizes. Explore Chelsea, explore the library, and see the many joys of your hometown through fresh eyes.
Youth and teen registration cards can be turned in at the library kick-off on June 10. Adults can pick up a checklist-log and fill out their registration cards beginning June 10 at the 2nd floor reference desk.
Summer Reading will continue through July 29 for adults and children, and through July 30 for teens.
The library has over 140 youth, teen and adult programs happening in the months of June, July and August. Special events include Parent and Child Yoga, Ironclad Vintage Baseball Festival, Read to the Library Dog, Learn to Code with Scratch, Game Design Camp, Purple Rose Theater Reading, Learn to Make Gourmet Berry Jam, 7thAnnual Comedy Showcase, and more. Click here for more information.
