Young Readers Win Prizes in Library's Summer Program

It was only one week into the summer break and Julia Rottkamp, 7, already read five books.

Julia stopped by the Fairfield Public Library on Monday to claim her first prize in the library’s Summer Reading Program. Julia said her favorite books feature a loveable mouse named “Geronimo Stilton.” She also hoped to read more books in the Junie B. Jone series. “I’ll definitely read a lot,” she said.

Lauren Kramer, 5, was registering for the program and picking out some books to read with her baby sister at the same time.

Barbara Hawkins, head of Children’s Services at the 1080 Old Post Road library, explained that the program kicks off in early June to allow more children to register before they leave town for vacations, family visits and overnight camps. “We found that we missed some children who were disappointed that they couldn’t participate,” she said.

Three years ago, the Children’s Department decided to loosen some of its “rigid requirements” to accommodate the patrons’ schedules. In the past, eligible books recorded on the reading log had to be from the library, but that's no longer the case.

“We didn’t want to put any boundaries on what reading materials they used,” Hawkins said. “We want this to be an enjoyable experience for the kids.”

Hawkins said the reading program also used to use a game wheel that children would spin to determine what genre of books to read. If the wheel landed on the area of the children’s room where biographies were shelved, they were encouraged to find a suitable biography to check out during that library visit.

Though Hawkins noted that youngsters are still welcome to use the wheel to generate interest in different types of books available at the library, it’s not mandatory to participate in the program.

With these new changes to the program’s structure, enrollment tripled last year and more than 2,000 youngsters participated, Hawkins said. By June's end, 1,200 children had enrolled in this year’s program.

Hawkins said families seem to appreciate the convenience of being able to log in the books their children have read online. “No matter where they are, the kids can read and get credit for it,” she said. In the past, children were required to come into the library so librarians could check the number of books read each week.

After inputting their user name and password in their private, online account, children are asked to list the book’s title and author. They must also write a brief book review and recommendation.

When they’ve read five books, children receive a gift certificate for a Kids’ Meal from Subway and an all-day ride pass to Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury. At the 10-book mark, they're awarded tickets to see the Bridgeport Bluefish baseball team and the Sound Tigers hockey team. At 15 books, participants are given a free ticket for a child and a parent to attend a live performance of “Aladdin” presented by Hampstead Players on Aug. 18. Also, each child receives a complimentary age-appropriate paperback book.

Hawkins said the library’s Children Department is also hosting a slew of exciting programs in July and August. For example, a Kids Comedy Club will be held on two Wednesdays, July 20 and August 17, at 7 pm. “Kids are invited to come up to the microphone and read a joke from a book or do a ‘knock-knock’ joke or anything that they like,” Hawkins said. “This is new this year and I think they’re really going to enjoy this.”

Also making its debut this summer is an Overnight at the Library for youngsters’ stuffed animals. After listening to a bedtime story and having a nighttime snack, children ages 5 to 8 are encouraged to leave their beloved teddy bear, favorite rabbit or other stuffed animals for a special sleepover party.

On July 27, families are welcome to hear Bina Williams spin tales aloud as part of a storytelling workshop.

“Beat the Heat” movies are also screened on Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 4:30 pm in the library’s Rotary Room.

For information about the Summer Reading program and a complete list of children and teen activities, visit www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org.