5.26.22 | Summer Reading Program Spotlight – Teen Services

Dear Friends,

Excitement is building for our 2022 Summer Reading Programs! I love having the opportunity to take time each week to share more details and shine the spotlight on individual departments in the library.

I’m excited to spread the word about the Teen Services Summer Reading Program this week. Kristi, our teen librarian, has been piling materials high on her desk and the workspaces she’s created in the newly renovated teen room at the library. Check out this great space next time you’re at Skidompha. I am so grateful to Kristi for all her hard work.

The Teen Summer Reading Program will run from June 1 – August 26, sharing the Oceans of Possibilities theme with the rest of Skidompha and other libraries nationwide. All teens ages 13 – 18 are warmly invited to participate!

Upon registration at the library, participants will receive a free book, pencil, bookmark, bingo sheet, and summer schedule. Programs are optional and will happen throughout the summer.

The bingo sheet offers many ways to earn raffle tickets for three prize bags. Teens can fill in circles on the bingo sheet by trying things like reading a graphic novel, or nonfiction, reading to a young child, swimming, using a library craft kit, and much more! Teens will earn tickets by completing bingo up to three times and can earn an additional five tickets for blackout (filling the entire board).

The prizes that Kristi has put together are fantastic! Several staff members have wished they could participate, too. Teens can keep track of their activities on a bingo sheet and turn them in to earn raffle tickets for three prizes—a relaxation bag (a $25 gift card to Barn Door Bakery, an insulated travel mug, Buddha Board, and Burts Bees gift set are just some of the prizes), a technology bag (with wireless Bluetooth earbuds, Mobile game controller, LED strip lights, and a MERGE cube), and an adventure bag (with a Midcoast Kayak gift certificate for Muscongus Bay Wildlife Tour for 2, first aid kit, two headlamps, and a Nalgene water bottle and more).

Program offerings include:

  • Seed planting in June
  • Perpetual Mandala calendars in July
  • Seashell painting in August
  • A daily sketchbook challenge throughout July & August, with a kickoff event and free supplies available on July 1 anytime from 10:00 to 5:00.
  • A weekly Beach Chair Book group in the library’s courtyard
  • A weekly Teen Gaming group for board games and fun. Snacks provided!
  • Maine Master Naturalist Walks
  • Free Showings of The Blue Planet at Lincoln Theater
  • Marine Mammals of Maine programming
  • And more!

Participants may choose a second free book after participating throughout the summer. The Youth SRP ends on August 26, which is the last day to earn raffle tickets. We will announce the raffle winners on September 1! The last day to claim prizes is September 10.

With so many offerings, we have multiple ways for you to keep track of it all! Please pick up a printed list of summer programs the next time you’re in the library, visit the Teen Summer Reading Page on our website, look for us on social media, or check out the library’s online calendar of events for more information about each event.

I hope we see many teens in the library this summer!

Best Wishes,

Matthew Graff

Executive Director

Skidompha Public Library