SWAMPSCOTT — After months of not being able to hold in-person events, the public library kicked off its summer reading program with a “Tails and Tales” pet parade on Tuesday afternoon.
Despite the prediction of rain, families still came out with their furry friends, both real and stuffed, and were rewarded with a sunny event on the Town Hall green along with music, bubbles, prizes and a march around the library building.
“We were trying to build something that was outdoor-only and social-distanced and something that moved, so what better than a pet parade?” said Co-Director of Children’s Services Lisa Julien-Hayes.
She explained that normally, Hadley Elementary School holds an annual pet parade, but it had been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We thought, what was one void we could fill as a library?” she said.
Julien-Hayes and her co-director Israela Abrams led the parade carrying a stuffed animal dragon while kids, parents and dogs followed.
The librarians also handed out summer reading bingo cards to encourage kids to read over the summer. Annabelle Gill, 10, who came with her family and their dog, Duncan, said she was excited for the summer and planned to read a lot while she wasn’t in school.
“It’s such a relief to have this really happening,” said Abrams, adding that they were excited to hold more in-person events this summer. “We’re going to really be sure stuff is happening outside and safe for everybody, especially the kids.”
The library is currently open for in-person browsing. No appointment is needed, except for the children’s room and computer use.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on the library’s summer events, visit swampscottlibrary.org.
