Southampton Library Digs Into Summer Reading

The Southampton Free Library will be joining libraries across the state in providing a summer filled of reading, special presentations and programs for youth in grades kindergarten through fifth, as well as teens. 

According to Laura Terifay, the library’s Head Children’s librarian, every year the Southampton Free Library participates in the statewide collaborative summer program, based on a common theme.

This year’s theme: 

 “Dig Into Reading”

She said that the summer program is designed to encourage reading with youth patrons, as well as introduce them to the libraries various resources.

“The programs helps keep them reading through the summer,” Terifay explained. “They come in for some of the programs, and they might discover books they may never have read before.”

The “Dig Into Reading” programs are free and open to the public, and will run from June 22 through August.

The programs will start with a kick-off event on June 22. During the kick-off event, Terifay said youth patrons will have the opportunity to receive free gifts, such as new backpacks, as well as a special library scavenger hunt, based on the library’s original story about its spring renovations, “The Exciting Adventures of Gershwin Groundhog and Mimi Golf.”

“We have several scavenger hunts planned,” Terifay said with a smile.

The event will also be a chance for youth patrons to pick up their reading logs for the summer. According to Terifay, youth patrons will have the opportunity to win prizes for the books they have read throughout the summer, including a Nintendo 3DS console and a county-wide raffle drawing for a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge.

Teen readers also have an opportunity to receive a free coupon to Rita’s Water Ice with every four books they read in the summer. Teen patrons may pick up a reading slip at the circulation desk.

A calendar of programs and special presentations are available through the library’s website. Terifay said that each program coincides with the summer theme, and will be catered to youth in various grades, each with their own themes: Kindergarten through first (“Reading Rocks”), second through fifth (“Dig Into Reading”), as well as teen programs (.

• Programs for kindergarten through first grade students include Mondays “Teen Book Buddy” practice reading sessions and a presentation June 24 Mad Science presentation: “Digging for Dinosaurs, An archeological Dig.”

• Programs for students in grades second through fifth will include opportunities to create crafts, such as making rocks out of coffee grinds; as well as a presentation on June 27: “Storyteller Don Dougherty presents, ‘Can You Dig It?’”

• Programs for teens will include unique crafts with the Philadelphia Arts in Education Program, such as Japanese Braided Weaving Bracelets and wool hats.

Some events are designed for the entire family. One such event will take place July 18 at 7 p.m., and will feature the Family Stages production of “Finding King Tut,” which Terifay describes as an “Indiana Jones”-type adventure. 

Registration is encouraged for the Southampton Free Library’s “Dig Into Reading” programs. For more information, or to register, call 215-322-1415 or visit www.buckslib.org.