FITCHBURG — The library summer reading program is underway, giving kids of all ages the opportunity to win prizes while keeping up with their literary skills.
Fitchburg Public Library Children’s Librarian Molly Dineen said they’ve “seen a steady increase in participation” in the summer reading program over the last few years. The program runs through Aug. 8, so there’s still time to sign up kids age birth to 18 and log reading hours and there’s also an online option to participate through Beanstack, a reading tracker website that’s also available as an app.
“Reading over the summer helps children maintain and improve their literacy skills,” Dineen said. “Children are encouraged to read what they want when participating in the library’s summer reading program. We want the program to be accessible for all reading abilities, and we want kids to enjoy reading and not view it as a chore. This means that reading fun graphic novels is encouraged and listening to audiobooks counts as reading.”
The library’s temporary location at 166 Boulder Dr. suite 108 is fully open and operational while the library construction project on Main Street is being completed. Free parking is available in designated spots in front of the location and there is a plethora of services, programming, and materials for all ages available.
There’s also a summer reading program for teens, and adults are welcome to participate in the summer reading program for them that runs through Aug. 8. Pick up a raffle ticket booklet by the front desk, complete the challenge on a ticket — as many or as few as you’d like — and turn them in at the library.
Dineen recently celebrated her five-year anniversary with the Fitchburg Public Library and said that she loves “connecting with kids and families in the community and talking about children’s literature.” She noted that every child and teen who completes the summer reading program gets to pick out a book prize and enter for the chance to win raffle prizes.
“There are a variety of book prize options for all ages, and we have seven raffle prizes available for kids to choose [from] including Squishmallows and a Star Wars LEGO set, which is the most popular prize option this summer,” Dineen said. “Both the book prizes and raffle prizes have been generously funded by our new Friends of the Fitchburg Public Library group.”
She went on to say she enjoys being part of the library team and seeing children enjoy reading.
“Kids are proud when they finish the program and many choose to do the challenge again and again, completing multiple reading logs.”
Other libraries in the North Central Mass region also have summer reading programs for children as well as adults including Leominster Public Library, Thayer Memorial Library in Lancaster, and Ayer Library.
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