Mark your calendars! This is the official summer schedule for Litchfield Public Library children and teens.
Everything begins on Monday, June 1. Children and young adults are invited to stop in the library at any time from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. to sign in to participate in “Read to the Rhythm,” our best effort at stopping summer slide. National research has found that students who participate in library summer reading programs scored higher on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the next school year than those who did not participate.
We are using material from The Illinois Reading Enrichment and Development (iREAD) Program. It is a coordinated, self-supporting effort to develop and provide high-quality, low-cost resources and products to enable local library staff to promote reading. The program’s audience is kindergarten through grade eight, but children under age five are also invited to participate. Keep track of your reading and receive a small reward for every four hours you read.
2nd Mondays of the month we have Book to Movie Club from 3:15-5p.m. It’s for students in grades 4-8, but younger children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Dates are June 8, July 13, and August 10.
Wednesdays will be our big day at the library. We start with Toddler Time, at 10:15. This is a story time for infants and toddlers, through about 3 years, accompanied by care giver. We will begin June 10 and have the final story August 5th.
On Wednesday afternoons, Darcy Cole will return to the library with Fun with 4-H @ the Library, a program for students who have completed grades K-5. Beginning at 1:00, this program will last until 2:30, and the dates are June 10, June 24, and July 8.
On the other Wednesdays, we will have Maker Fun @ the Library, again from 1:00 until 2:30. The dates will be June 17, July 1, July 15, July 22, and July 29. Middle School students are welcome. We will have different projects out each time. I’d also like to invite anyone who plays a guitar to bring it in; I’ll help you tune and we might even jam a little.
On the 2nd and 4th Thursdays we will offer Brickheads for all, ages 4-14, from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. Come and build!
The 3rd Thursday afternoons are reserved for Beginners Book Club, for those who have completed grades 1-3. We will meet from 3-4 p.m. For our June book club we will read “The Chocolate Touch,” by Patrick Catling. This is an older book, but it’s very, very funny, about a boy who, like King Midas and his golden touch, turns things he kisses into chocolate.
On Friday, June 12, we will have a special guest. Professor Marvel will present his “Musical Magic Show” at 10:30 a.m. He is always entertaining, and he loves books. We will continue to have fun on Fridays with preschool story times, which will begin June 19th and continue through August 7th.
Saturdays will have some special things going on. Family Movie Afternoon is planned for Saturday June 6th . The book is “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and the movie is “The Wizard of Oz.” Family Movie Afternoon is also planned for Saturday August 1st from 1-3 p.m. There will be no movie in July because of July 4th.
On Saturday, June 13th we will have a story hour celebrating “Read to the Rhythm” with the book, “Punk Farm.” On Saturday, July 11th, there will be NO story hour so we won’t compete with the Watercade Kiddie Parade.
On Saturday, August 8th the Flyers will present a concert here at the library starting at 10:30. They are wonderful musicians and are responsible for me knowing “The Rooster by the Barnyard Gate.” I’ve extended the story hour programs through August 7th because of the Flyers concert on the 8th.
Teens are invited to the library on the 2nd and 5th Saturdays of each month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Margaret Weigelt is amazing with computers and circuit boards and young adults. On May 9th, one young man asked how long he could stay. He completely enjoyed “Makey-Makey,” a project that involves circuit boards, connectivity, and computers.
All of these events and programs are free. There is something for everyone at your library!
