Summer Reading

It's June and we are all about summer reading! Starting June 17, patrons of all ages can participate in our summer reading programs. Learn all about them in this episode featuring comprehensive interviews with our staff!

Transcript

Michael Pierry: Hello and welcome to the Hamden Library podcast. I'm your host, Michael Pierry, and this month we are all about summer reading. I interviewed three staff members here who are the main organizers for the summer reading programs. Marcy Goldman, Jenny Nicolelli, and Dave Scanlon. I asked them why summer reading is important, And it honestly sounded like a lot of fun.

But before we listen to those interviews, I wanted to give a special shout out to the Friends of the Hamden Library, who help support many of these programs. So if you enjoy summer reading, remember to thank the Friends, and consider becoming one yourself. With us today, we have Dave Scanlon, Hamden Librarian, to talk to us about the Adult Summer Reading Program.

How you doing, Dave? 

David Scanlon: I'm doing great. Thanks for having me here to talk about the exciting things happening this summer. 

Michael Pierry: Absolutely. So, why don't we start off with, talking about why is summer reading important. 

David Scanlon: Many reasons. First, summer reading grew out of addressing what's referred to as the summer slide.

This is when youth kind of lose the, all of the educational headway that they've made during the school year. So over the years, libraries have worked to try to make summer reading and, and educational programs really fun through games and incentives, events, and more. And then seeing all the fun that kids are having, there's definitely the feeling that there's no need for adults to be sitting on the sidelines for this.

And adults need to tap into their inner child and have fun and go after fun incentives, read some interesting things and attend a bunch of library events in the same way that kids do. Second, I also, with summer reading, generally, there's this great tradition of the beach read, people often talk about, and I think that this turns up in ways that are not just about books that are themed after beaches, but also books that are just really fun to read.

Too often as adults, we're reading things that are, you know, intellectually such a slog or intellectually very demanding or emotionally very heavy. And it is great in the summer that there's this tradition where you just read something fun. And frankly, we should be doing that all year around. And then lastly, I'd also say that personally, I try to still, though I am an adult and don't have summer vacation, I still try to live this idea of the summer break.

This is not reflected in any way in my professional life. In fact, I'd say that my professional life gets busier as a librarian during the summer, but part of summer reading is kind of, and part of tapping into your inner child is psychologically, I think, still having this summer break and adult summer reading, I think, really helps us with that.

Michael Pierry: Yeah, I totally agree. I think it's great to, give yourself a break and get away from all the heavy stuff. I mean, especially, these days, it seems like everybody could use a break like that. So, that's wonderful. So when does summer reading begin for us and when does it end?

David Scanlon: So summer reading here at Hamden is going to be beginning on Monday, June 17th and ending on Friday, August 16th.

So 12 o'clock midnight on June 17th. You can start locking your minutes. And reading and participating in summer reading. 

Michael Pierry: Awesome. Are there any, special events during this time that you wanted to highlight? 

David Scanlon: There's so many exciting adult programs happening this summer. To talk about a few that are happening during the summer reading time, I'm really excited about the event that's happening on Thursday, June 27th at 6 o'clock.

At the Whitneyville branch, there's an artist study with Mickalene Thomas. On Saturday, June 29th at 10. 30am, there's a local author showcase, that's a Saturday. On Tuesday, July 30th at 6 o'clock, at Miller Library, there's Inside the Hive discussing bees. And on Wednesday, July 31st at 6 o'clock, at the Brundage Community Library, there is the summer sing along.

And this is kind of similar to the holiday sing along we had, and it was so much fun. So we're doing a summer version of it. 

Michael Pierry: Oh yeah, that, that Christmas sing along was really great. Ryan and I, and you both, all, we all played instruments and everybody sang along. That was really fun. 

David Scanlon: I'm trying to get all of the, guitar students that have been participating in the guitar program to be playing during this summer sing along too.

Michael Pierry: That's really cool. So how can patrons participate in summer reading? 

David Scanlon: So patrons can log their reading through a tracker sheet that they can pick up at any of the three library locations, or they can track log their reading through the ReadSquared website. And you will receive one raffle ticket for every 30 minutes of reading.

In addition, there is an activity bingo sheet listing different library or Hamden themed activities, and you can get one raffle ticket for every bingo that you complete on this activity sheet. There will be three raffle drawings throughout the summer that, where you're raffle tickets will be utilized.

Michael Pierry: Really cool. what are the, some of the different activities on that sheet? 

David Scanlon: Well, interestingly, one of them is actually to listen to the Hamden library podcast. So if you hear my voice, if you hear my voice, you have gotten one activity. there is another, many of them are kind of like read a book that from a genre you don't normally read from.

There are fun things like. Start a nature journal. You also can get a raffle ticket by simply attending a library program. So there's many different ways to both participate in summer reading and to get raffle tickets toward the raffles that will be happening. And we'll be having three throughout the summer.

Michael Pierry: Awesome. I think that's it. I mean, I was going to ask about the prizes for participating. 

David Scanlon: We have wonderful prizes. There's a water bottle infuser for all of the hydration fanatics. There is a bag of summer reading goodies that turned out really great. And there's gift certificates to a few different Hamden businesses.

Michael Pierry: All right. That sounds really, really good. I'm looking forward to it. I know you are too. So thanks so much for taking the time to share all that with us. Thanks, Dave. 

David Scanlon: Thank you. 

Michael Pierry: Marcy Goldman is the head of the children's department at Hamden Public Library. She's here to talk with us about the children's summer reading program.

Hello, Marcy. 

Marcy Goldman: Hello, Michael. 

Michael Pierry: So why is summer reading so important? 

Marcy Goldman: Summer reading is important because children who read over the summer are shown to be able to keep the skills that they've learned during the school year and build upon those and just continue learning and reading and keeping their minds fresh.

Going over the summer. 

Michael Pierry: Excellent. So when does your program begin and when does it end? 

Marcy Goldman: Our program begins on June 17th and we will run the program through August 16th. 

Michael Pierry: Great. Are there any special events during that time that you want to highlight? 

Marcy Goldman: Yes, we have a very exciting program in August actually on Tuesday, August 6th at 6 p. m. Curious Creatures will be here in Thornton Wilder Hall. for a live educational and interactive animal show. 

Michael Pierry: Oh, that sounds really fun. How can the kids participate in summer reading? 

Marcy Goldman: So anyone can participate in summer reading by visiting any of our three library locations to either pick up their tracker sheet in person and track their reading that way.

Or, you can log in to our website and look for ReadSquared, create an account on ReadSquared and log your reading online. 

Michael Pierry: Great. So what are some of the different activities that count? I know there's other things besides reading that you can also do that count towards the program. 

Marcy Goldman: Yes, and we also like to point out that all reading counts, which means that if you enjoy listening to an audiobook, that counts as time spent reading.

Someone reading with you or to you also counts. And we say that anything you read counts. If you're Out at a restaurant, read the menu you're reading. So we like to just make it fun and realize that you're reading and taking part in a lot of these activities already every day, even though you might not realize it.

Some of the other ways that you can earn points here with our game is by visiting our little free library and swapping out a book, maybe coming into the library and checking out a museum pass or. attending one of our many fun library programs that will be across all three locations as well. 

Michael Pierry: Right. All those things will earn you a badge towards winning prizes.

And I understand, raffle tickets as well, right? 

Marcy Goldman: Yes. Kids can come in and spin our prize wheel and they will win small prizes along the way. Such as vinyl stickers or little 3D erasers and some other fun things. And then the grand prize raffle will be at the end of the summer when you finish your, your tracker sheet, you get entered into the grand prize raffle, which will be for some gift cards for ice cream and other fun things.

Michael Pierry: Excellent. I think that is great. Thank you so much for taking the time to, explain to us how this summer reading program goes. I think it's going to be a great summer. 

Marcy Goldman: We look forward to summer every year. It's always great to see all the families and kids coming in and enjoying reading and taking part in some of the great stuff we have here over the summer.

Michael Pierry: Thanks, Marcy. 

Marcy Goldman: Thank you. 

Michael Pierry: Jenny Nicolelli is our teen librarian. She's here with us to discuss the teen summer reading program. Hi, Jenny. 

Jenny Nicolelli: Hi. 

Michael Pierry: Jenny, why is summer reading important? 

Jenny Nicolelli: So the traditional answer for all youth is that summer reading helps prevent summer slide and maintains, literacy skills throughout the summer so that students go into the school year in the fall, staying on their reading level, or maybe beyond their reading level when they go into their next grade. it's not a very flashy reason and there's been some like movement in library land to kind of move away as that being a purpose. However, there is a literacy crisis. in America. So it's still a really important reason to have summer reading.

Probably a newer or less familiar idea of why summer reading is important is that, summer reading creates connection for folks over the summer and particularly for teenagers, who have more freedom than children, but not as much freedom as adults. So they might be able to ride their bike somewhere or take city or town transportation, on their own, but they don't have a car.

And so summer reading allows them to meet up at the library and either hang out informally, be alone in a space that doesn't judge them and is free, or allows them to take part in structured activities. So it's, essentially provides a safe, and flexible space and time frame for teens to engage with each other with books, with crafts, with science, with all sorts of things and, and to make sure they're not isolated during the summer.

Michael Pierry: Thank you so much. That was a very comprehensive answer. And, I hope that illustrates to everyone exactly why you're doing what you're doing. So when does the summer reading program begin and when does it end? 

Jenny Nicolelli: The official start date is June 17th, the Monday after the end of the Hamden public school year, and the official end date is August 17th, which is a Saturday.

I've told all teens of every class that I've presented to that, Participation can happen at any time within that time frame. And the only thing that exists within that time frame is when you can get prizes and raffle tickets and all the fun stuff we'll talk about in a minute. But, if a teen quote unquote participates in summer reading for five days, that's awesome.

Michael Pierry: Great. Are there any, special events that you wanted to highlight? 

Jenny Nicolelli: Yes, definitely. The most exciting event that we're having for the Teen Summer Challenge is the Theater Workshop Series. So, as this is funded through a, a grant as well as through our wonderful friends of Hamden Library. And the Workshop Series will be directed by Leah Joy Pearson of Maya Rose Spoken Word.

And Leah Joy is an actor and a poet. And she will lead teens through three separate workshops that where they do different acting exercises and things like that, and conduct a scene study. And after the third workshop, they will be performing in a showcase for family and friends. Leah Joy is accepting up to 15 participants.

The only requirement is that participants are between the ages of 12 and 18 or in grades 7 through 12, we, if, if you're going into 7th grade or going into 12th grade, that, that all counts, or if you're a recent graduate from high school, that is also great. And the only other requirement is that you fill out an application, which you can find on our .

And we will take. and create a wait list if needed. 

Michael Pierry: Wow. That sounds really cool. Now, as for the actual, summer reading program itself, how do the teens participate in that? 

Jenny Nicolelli: So teens can participate in person or online in person is really easy. They get a brochure that has a reading tracker, inside of it.

There, the reading trackers are available on the website. They're available at all Hamden public library locations. And several of the Hamden public schools have copies of the reading trackers in their, media centers. If you can't find one, or you don't have a printer at home, and if you can't get to the public library, give us a call, shoot us an email, we'll figure something out for you.

They can also participate online. They just need to create an account. through a ReadSquared platform, and they can track their activity there. The only downside of online participation is that those participants will eventually have to come in person to pick up any prizes or raffle tickets that they have accumulated.

Michael Pierry: Right, that makes sense. What are some of the different activities that can count besides reading? 

Jenny Nicolelli: Sure, so this summer's reading tracking is like a badge system. Essentially, teen participants can cross off a badge anytime they read for 20 minutes, attend a library program, write a book review or film a book talk, swap an item at a little free library, Write a fanfiction chapter or create fanart of a favorite character.

Draw or write in a journal. Or read aloud to someone or something. It can be a person, a rock, a pet. We don't care. And of course, we want to just remind everybody that all reading counts. So if you read books, that's great. If you listen to audiobooks, that's great. If you read the back of a cereal box, that's great.

All of it counts and all of it is important and valuable. So for every 20 minutes of any of those activities you do, if those activities can be timed, something like swapping an item at a little free library, you don't have to spend 20 minutes doing that. If it takes five minutes, that's totally fine.

You just cross off one of your badges. 

Michael Pierry: Excellent. I love that you have a lot of room for creativity in there. They get to express themselves. That's great. And are there prizes for participating? 

Jenny Nicolelli: Of course, it wouldn't be Summer Reading without prizes. So, for every six badges that a participant crosses off, and if you're doing that with reading, that would be two hours of reading.

So, for every six badges, you receive a prize. We're going to have a big bin of prizes at all three of our libraries. They're going to include really fun things like Crocs Jibbitz, we're going to have fun like Cool gel pens, little mini squishmallows, the 3D erasers, a bunch of little bundles of candy, a bunch of different things.

So you can get one of those prizes for every six badges you cross off. And you also get raffle tickets. Now you get raffle tickets three different ways. You can get a raffle ticket every single time you cross off a badge. You also get a raffle ticket. And teens, listen to this part if any of you are listening.

You get a raffle ticket when you visit any Hamden Public Library location. So all you have to do is walk into a Hamden Public Library, go to a service desk, say, "Hello, I am a teen. I would like a raffle ticket". And we say, "Hello, teen. Here is your raffle ticket. Please fill it out." and you got a raffle ticket.

You don't have to stay. We'd love if you stayed. We are air conditioned, but you don't have to stay. We just want to get you in the library. And then you can also get a raffle ticket anytime you attend a library event. So what's really cool is you could come in for one of the teen library programs. Like for example, on June 18th, we'll be making our own Squishmallows.

so you could come in for that event. Just coming in and attending the event does the following, you'll cross off a badge, because you came to a library event, you'll get a raffle ticket because you you are at the library, you'll get a raffle ticket because you attended a library event, and you'll get a raffle ticket because you crossed off a badge, which is pretty cool.

Those raffle tickets go towards grand prizes, and we do the grand prize drawing at the end of the summer after summer reading concludes on August 17th. The grand prizes will be, there will be four 30 dollar gift cards to different places in Hamden. We'll have a 30 dollar gift card to Barnes Noble, one to the Cinemark movie theaters in North Haven, one to Starbucks, and one to McDonald's.

So the more raffle tickets you get, the better your chances to win a grand prize. So in theory, if you just visited the library and attended programs, you can still win a grand prize. We want people to read and do all of these wonderful reading adjacent activities that earn you badges. But if you are somebody where that's not a way, like a reasonable or way for you to engage with the library or not something that you want to do.

You can still be a part of summer reading, be a part of our library community and still the fun part, still get some incentives for that. 

Michael Pierry: Excellent. Well, thank you so much for not only planning everything for your program, but also explaining everything so well and going into such detail. I think it's going to be a really wonderful summer.

Jenny Nicolelli: Thank you, Mike. 

Michael Pierry: Thanks. That's all we have for you this month. Next time on the podcast, we ponder our Desert Island Reads, movies that were better than the books they were based on, and lots more in a lively roundtable discussion. Stay tuned. Bye for now.