ATHOL — Summer reading at the Athol Public Library began in a flurry of excitement on June 22, when the Children’s Room was transformed into Camp Play Pretend with an enchanted “stone” pathway leading to magnetic fishing, a pretend campfire, and a mini forest. Displays of interesting things to read and do are all over the library, and there is a bird scavenger hunt on the second floor.
The theme for this summer is “Read Beyond the Beaten Path,” and everyone is encouraged to sign up. Summer Reading runs from June 22 through Aug. 19. During this time, readers of every age will have opportunities to win raffle tickets and prizes by reading, visiting the library, attending special events, and exploring unique places around the North Quabbin.
Beanstack, a web and mobile app, is back with new challenges for adults, teens and kids. To sign up, visit athollibrary.beanstack.org, choose a challenge based on the reader’s age and get ready to track reading, complete activities, earn badges, and win prizes.
In addition to the Virtual Beanstack Challenges, there will be Visitors’ Challenges designed with frequent library visitors in mind. You can choose to participate in either challenge or both.
Upstairs, for adults, this takes the form of Beyond the Beaten Path Bingo. Participants will be rewarded for exploring new places, trying unfamiliar activities, and reading adventurously. Visit the library to get your bingo card and information about special summer events.
Teens can earn grand prize raffle tickets by borrowing items from the teen space, writing book reviews and attending programs.
Using our special summer calendar, kids track their reading, earn raffle tickets for weekly prize drawings, and add paper links to their caterpillar that lives in the Children’s Room.
Summer Reading is for everyone and library staff have planned a fabulous roster of free and fun activities. These include art activities, encounters with wild animals, book discussions, walks in the woods, learning about foraging for wild edible plants, and more. The more you participate, the more chances you have to win prizes. Be sure to check the library’s calendar (athol.librarycalendar.com) to see everything that is happening. Some activities are just for children and young families, some are just for teens, some are just for adults — and some are for everyone.
As always, library events are free of charge and open to the public, but sometimes you need to register in advance.
The Athol Library’s Summer Reading Program for all ages runs through Aug. 19 and is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Athol Public Library. Please call the library at 978-249-9515 with any questions you have.
The Massachusetts Statewide Summer Library Program is funded by the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Also sponsored by The Friends of the Athol Public Library and Athol Savings Bank.