ITEM PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
Dinah Nangozi, 4, of Lynn, reads through books with Kenneth Muyanja of Lynn at the Lynn Public Library Thursday.
By MATT DEMIRS
LYNN — The city’s public library launches its summer reading program next week with prizes for bookworms and a big ambition: “Build a Better World” is the library’s theme through August 11.
Community groups are contributing to make the summer a success: The Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias of Massachusetts and the Friends of the Lynn Public Library donated 10 bicycles to be raffled off for students in grades 1-5 who read 5 to 10 books. Bikes will be given to one boy and one girl in each grade.
Teen Summer Reading program begins on June 26 and runs until August 24th. Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to participate.
For each book read this summer, students are asked to fill out a book review form.
Each review counts as a raffle toward an Amazon Tablet or $50 mall gift card.
Teens must fill out a review sheet which can be obtained at the library where students fill out the title author, a recommendation, and a star rating.
This is the second year bikes will be offered as prizes after the Knights took to the initiative and contacted Lindsey Robert, head of circulation, to provide the incentive.
To qualify, students must keep track of the title, author, and time spent reading, in a reading log.
When the diary is completed, students will receive a certificate of achievement and a prize, as well as free tickets to the Topsfield Fair.
After completing the program, students will be invited to an ice-cream party in Lynn City Hall hosted by Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. The social is scheduled for August 22 at 5 p.m. for those who qualify.
Adults are encouraged by incentives to crack open a book, too.
“We figured since the kids are reading, we might as well provide an opportunity for parents and adults to read with them too,” said Paula Joyal, the library’s head of business.
Adults who participate in the program will receive a free “Build a Better World” lunch box. They will also have a chance to win restaurant gift cards. Rolly’s Tavern on the Square and the Porthole Restaurant are among the handful of restaurants providing the gift cards.
The library will also be host to a variety of events throughout the summer, including new additions to the calendar such as the “Music on the Lawn” concert series. The kick-off will be Tuesday, July 11 with MaryBeth Maes Band at 6:30 p.m.
Lynn’s library is not the only one providing summer fun.
Abbot Public Library in Marblehead will have incentives for readers ages 3-12 who read or listen to at least 10 books. The prizes include free admission to the U.S.S. Constitution Museum, discounted admission to Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, Tree Top Adventures raffle prizes and discount participation bookmarks for kids 7 and older and free admission to the Topsfield Fair for children 8 and older.
The Swampscott Public Library will kick off its summer reading program on June 27 at 6 p.m. Open to children from preschool to Grade 5, students will receive a certificate for a free meal at Uno’s upon registration. The Topsfield Fair will also award free passes, including a hot dog, drink and two ride tickets to all children who complete the program.
Lynnfield Public Library is inviting all ages to participate in its program and proposing a competition across the ages: Who can read more hours this summer, kids or adults?
Roger Tincknell will perform on the Commons for the kick-off event starting at noon today. Children must register for this event while teens and adults do not.
All Saugus Public School students in grades K through 5 are encouraged to read 20 minutes each night and are required to produce written reports on three books. Students may submit three book reports to the Children’s desk at the Saugus Public Library by August 9th to be eligible for a Topsfield Fair ticket prize.
The Melrose Public Library will have a variety of scheduled programs to support summer reading throughout the summer for people of all ages, including adults. It will also have a summer reading ice cream celebration for participants in the library’s Summer Reading Club, scheduled for Thursday, August 17th at 2 p.m.
Matt Demirs can be reached at [email protected]
