Summer Reading 2019: It’s Showtime at Your Library!
Springtime means it’s time to start brainstorming programming ideas for this summer’s reading theme! According to the ALA, each year, more than 95 percent of public libraries offer summer reading programs for children. In addition, many libraries also offer special reading programs and activities for adults and teens during the summer months. No matter the age of a patron, summer reading programs encourage reading as a lifelong habit, one that benefits everyday life in numerous ways like improving concentration, boosting intelligence, fostering creativity and much more.
This summer’s Illinois Reading Enrichment and Development program (iREAD) theme is “It’s Showtime at Your Library!” So be prepared to spotlight programming that will wow and amaze all ages come summer. While every library’s summer reading plans might look a little different, some with larger events happening throughout the summer and others with big events serving as the open and closing of the summer reading season, below are some ideas that can help you generate excitement for the warmer months ahead!
Early Literacy and Children’s Programming:
A Show-Stopping Storytime
Go all out for storytime by turning it into a full-fledged puppet show! Create a mini life-size puppet theater using cardboard – or plywood if you want it to last –a bit of paint and spare fabric for curtains. Then make sure you use stuffed animals instead of finger puppets for an exciting new spin on storytime.
Show-and-Tell
Let kiddos be the star of the show with a special show-and-tell event at your library! Have them bring in their favorite book and discuss why they love it so much. Or invite them to bring in games, crafts or even a person that inspires them! This will help get kids acquainted with public speaking early on and provide both parents and kids with suggestions for new books or activities to occupy their summer. You could also include DIY finger puppet programming, then allow the kids to put on puppet shows using their new characters and your new puppet stage!
Teens & Tweens Programming:
Get Theatrical
Challenge the teens and tweens of your community to read popular plays. Then, have them write and develop their own! In sections throughout summer, help them create everything from the script to the costumes to the props, stage and more. Toward the end of summer, have them perform their play in the library for their family and your patrons!
Or instead of a play, get teens involved in Reader Theater. Requiring zero sets, costumes, props or memorized lines, instead, the performers bring the text of a book to life using voice, facial expression and some gestures. There are many benefits to this activity, including increased comprehension, fluency, confidence and more.
Stop Motion Animation
Teach teens and tweens about storyboarding and movie making with a stop motion animation workshop at your library. There are a number of apps you can familiarize teens with, such as Stop Motion Studio, that will make the process much easier, just make sure to try out some different techniques and methods, like LEGO stop motion, art animation and more. Once the participants’ films are done, premiere them all at a special movie event – followed by a showing of one of the feature films listed below!
Adult Programming:
Escape the Ordinary
Stories from movies or the theater are often made up of heroes and superheroes. Get your patrons thinking about real-life heroes who have pushed boundaries, saved lives and taken risks to do something awe-inspiring by spotlighting heroes from history, current heroes they might know, and even celebrity heroes. Add a book display featuring real-life heroes in your library and host movie showings for movies based on inspiring true-life stories, like “Welcome to Marwen,” “McQueen,” “Unbroken: Path to Redemption,” “First Man,” “On the Basis of Sex” and “Green Book.”
Host a Talent Show
There’s no doubt your library is made up of many talented patrons. So this summer, give them the opportunities to “show off” their skills at an all-ages talent show! This easy programming only needs promotion and a few members of your community to serve as the judges. Just make sure you have an awesome prize to incentivize lots of talent!
