Chelsea District Library hopes to “Build a Better World” with its summer reading program.
“This year’s theme of ‘build a better world’ is the same for all age groups,” says Keegan Sulecki, head of Information Services. “This has allowed us to focus on what we can do to make Chelsea a ‘better world,’ too. We hope everyone uses the summer reading program to not only explore what the library can offer, but also our community as a whole.” All ages are invited to join in the fun, with tailored kickoff events and other programs for adult, and youth/teen participants.
The Adult Kickoff will take place in conjunction with the library’s inaugural Music in the Air event on Saturday, June 3 from 2-3 pm in the Reading Garden. This program will feature Jacopo Giacopuzzi, an international classical pianist who has performed at major festivals and venues around the world. Get signed up for the Adult Summer Reading Game and enjoy this one-of-a-kind open-air concert. Some seating will be available; bring a blanket or lawn chair if you’d like to lounge on the lawn.
For kids and teens, the Summer Reading Kickoff is Friday, June 16, from noon-2 p.m. At the Construction Carnival on the library lawn, kids can decorate their own hard hats, build with giant blocks in the Construction/Deconstruction Zone, create a paper village (to be put on display inside the library), play traditional carnival games, take a turn in the bounce house, and earn a snow cone by completing six or more activities. Miniature Motorway’s tabletop Demo Derby track will be back in the McKune Room, as well.
All ages can register for their respective games online at www.chelseadistrictlibrary.or/srp. Elementary school students in the Chelsea School District will bring Reading Logs and instruction sheets home from school in early June to help with this process. Those who are unable to register online from home are welcome to visit the library and sign up in-person.
Kids and teens who read for at least 20 hours will earn a free book, plus small prizes along the way and entries into the grand prize drawings. This year’s grand prizes for kids include tickets to Cedar Point, a pass to ATA Martial Arts, a pass to the Chelsea Treehouse, a horse riding lesson at Collected Treasures Farm, and more. For the first time, teens have a chance to win their own Cedar Point tickets and a host of other fun prizes like iTunes gift cards and movie tickets.
Children and teens can also earn drawing slips by completing Challenge Cards, take-home activities to extend learning and encourage them to get to know their community.
“The Challenge Cards have been very popular the past couple of years, so we’ve freshened them up and added new challenges for this summer,” said Youth and Teen Librarian Jessica Zubik. “Expect activities like taking a nature walk, or using a rainy day to take a museum tour online.”
Also returning this year is the Discovery Center, featuring science and technology activities for elementary students, and the math and science stations for preschoolers, with more chances for kids to earn drawing slips.
New this year, the adults’ reading game will be bingo-style with options for reading and doing activities around town. “We hope that this simplified game will encourage adults to continue to play and complete their bingo card,” said Sulecki.
Getting one “bingo” earns adults a small completion prize, like a coupon to Zou Zou’s or the Chelsea Bakery, plus an entry for one of the adult grand prizes. After your first bingo, each additional activity square completed will earn you another entry for a grand prize. This year’s prizes include gift certificates to area businesses and a gift basket option filled with products from the Chelsea community.
A special thanks to Platinum Sponsor the Friends of the Chelsea District Library; Silver Sponsor Mason Olive Lodge #156; and Bronze Sponsor Kiwanis Club of Chelsea; as well as the following businesses and organizations for their donations and support: Wendy’s, Chelsea Bakery, the Lion’s Club, Cottage Inn, Chelsea TreeHouse, ZapZone, Chelsea ATA Martial Arts, Chelsea Lanes, Collected Treasures Farm, and Pandya Family Dentistry.
