One would have thought they were giving away free iPads at the Chelsea Public Library last week as the Summer Reading Program began in earnest, but the popularity lay in good, old fashioned books and a focus on keeping kids engaged in reading over the lazy summer months.
From movies to working their way to becoming a superhero, kids in Chelsea have plenty to do at the Library this summer.
“This year, the Summer Reading Club has become very popular and the theme is ‘Every Hero Has a Story,’” said Martha Boksenbaum, children’s librarian. “This year, when the kids sign up they receive a superhero cutout. Each time they come to the library, they get to put another part of super hero gear on the cutout. If they fill up the super hero with gear, they get a real super hero cape. We are emphasizing super heroes this year, and we’ll have real life superheroes visiting the library.”
There will be police officers, animal handlers and a special super hero training as well. Boksenbaum took the unique step this year of visiting all of the elementary schools dressed as a super hero to drum up support for the program, and to bridge the gap between the library and the schools.
“I did go to the schools dressed as a super hero and that was exciting for the kids,” she said. “That has brought us a larger number of excited children showing up at the library to see what that’s all about.”
Students will also get credit at school this fall for completing the Summer Reading Club.
Events include:
•Thurs., July 9, Sparky’s Puppets, 11 a.m.
•Friday, July 10, Movie: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 2 p.m.
•Monday, July 13, Movie: Penguins of Madagascar, 2 p.m.
•Thursday, July 16, Jungle Jim: Superhero Training, 11 a.m.
•Thursday, July 23, Jenny the Juggler, 11 a.m.
•Tuesday, July 28, Movie: Frozen, 5:30 p.m.
•Thursday, July 30, Meet the Chelsea Police Dogs, 11 a.m.
•Thursday, Aug. 6, Great Big Faces Cartoonist, 2 p.m.
•Monday, Aug. 10, Movie: Cinderella, 2 p.m.
•Thursday, Aug. 13, Animal Adventures, 11 a.m.
•Thursday, Aug. 20, Make a Superhero Mask, 3:30 p.m.
Another popular feature of this year’s summer program at the library is that each week is that every week a teacher from one of the elementary schools will be at the library to read with their students. That will happen every Tuesday.
“That was exceptionally popular last year with more than 100 kids showing up every week,” she said. “So, we will do that again and get all four schools in the complex participating. We’ll emphasize one school each week. We had the Kelly School last week and it was a big hit again.”
There will also be a drop in Lego Club available and the age newborn to 6 Raising a Reader Stories in the Park program every Wedne
Children’s Librarian Martha Boksenbaum of the Chelsea Public Library has kicked off the Summer Reading Club and a whole host of activities
this summer for young people in Chelsea to peruse.
sday morning as well.
“We have a lot going on and I’m very excited about it,” said Boksenbaum. “Last year, we increased our programs and I think this year will be even more exciting and successful. Chelsea Public Library is very busy during the school year, but it’s in the summer that the library really explodes with activity. We get so many kids coming in.”