The Library Vault

Summer is officially here, and that means it’s time for one of our favorite traditions of the year: Summer Reading at Russell Library! Whether you’re looking to keep your kids engaged between school years, finding a sanctuary of books and games for your busy teen, or diving into that stack of novels you’ve been putting off all winter, we have a challenge designed just for you. This year, our Summer Reading programs run from Saturday, June 20th through Saturday, August 15th.

First and most important: stop by Russell Library on Saturday, June 20th (yes! that is already this weekend!) to pick up your Summer Reading trackers and pet some animals. You can pick between Furry, Scaly Friends’ Petting Zoo from 10am-12pm on the South Lawn (or the Hubbard Room if it rains) or Hang with the Chicks from 3:30-4:30pm in the Kids’ Department. Yes, all ages are welcome. Summer Reading trackers will be available at the Lobby and Kids’ desks, and also online.

Kids Summer Reading (Birth – Age 12)

• How to Play: Help Russell the Rabbit gobble up 10 carrots by completing your choice of literacy activities (listed on the tracker). One activity = one carrot.
• Prizes: Turn in your completed Activity Log to receive 5 raffle tickets for an opportunity to win over a dozen fabulous kid-friendly prizes, and also to be entered to win one of two grand prizes: $50 gift cards to Amato’s Toy Store here in Middletown.
• Summer Events: We have an amazing lineup of summer family events, including a visit from Jonathan the UConn Husky on June 27th, and our Family Folk Concert on July 18th. See our Events Calendar, or pick up a printed version at the Kids’ Desk, for dozens of other special events throughout the summer. Our Summer Preview article highlights some of them.
• Super Readers: Got a Super Reader child in your family under the age of 13? That is amazing. Go you. After they finish the kids’ tracker, they can choose to either fill out another one (no limits here!) or accelerate their reading to the Tween/Young Tracker (see below).
• Bonus: For the first time ever, also join the Dinosaur Containment Summer Passport program. You can visit participating libraries and museums in Connecticut this summer to earn passport stamps for a chance to win two grand prize tickets to Mystic Aquarium.

Young Adult Summer Reading (Ages 13 – 18)

• How it Works: Navigate your way through the hedge maze to the reading burrow, picking up your comfort items along the way, by completing your choice of activities listed on the tracker. One comfort item = one activity. Activities can be repeated.
• Prizes: Turn in your completed tracker in exchange for 5 tickets to be entered to win 1 of 3 grand prizes: $50 gift cards to Dunkin’ or Starbucks (your choice).
• Bonus: Yes! Tweens can play, too! We do not limit how often. Our motto is: the more reading, the better for everyone.
• Double Bonus: Teens are also eligible to join the Adult Summer Reading challenge.

Adult Summer Reading (Ages 19 and Up)

Summer Reading isn’t just for the kids! You deserve some fantastic prizes just for indulging in your favorite hobby.

• Where to Sign Up: Very similar to kids’ and teens’ programs, you can sign up online or at the Lobby or Kids’ desk in the library.
• How it Works: Complete the prompts throughout the summer.  One completed prompt equals one ticket for the prize drawing. Complete the entire prompt board and earn two extra tickets.
• Prizes: There are 8 total reading-themed prizes to win. The Grand Prize is a Kindle!
• Adult Events: Don’t feel left out, grown-ups, we have a ton of special events this summer just for you. Check out our article on Summer Programs for Adults for details. As always, you can see what else is up at the library via our ever-updated Events Calendar.

Mark Your Calendars!

• June 20th: Official Summer Reading Kickoff!
• August 15th: Final day to log your reading and claim your prizes. Round out the summer with our Summer Reading Finale Party – this time a farm themed petting zoo by Xen’s Critters’ from 10am-12pm on the South Lawn (or Hubbard Room). And/or you can attend a free concert by Nu Haven Kepelye at 2:30pm in the Hubbard Room.

Many thanks to the Friends of Russell Library for funding our summer events and making these programs free and accessible to our wonderful community. Please consider giving to the friends, or becoming a Friend, to help support Russell Library. Thank you for being a Friend!

Note: this article was drafted with the assistance of Google’s Gemini, but with the masterminding, writing, and editing of a human. Librarian’s official Information Literacy advice: always credit your sources and contributors.