Summer is right around the corner! With school's out, any incentive to get our kids reading is great! Each year, local libraries host a variety of programs and events that encourage children to read and learn throughout the summer. Be sure to check out our calendar throughout the season to see what special events are going on at all the local libraries. Here is a list of local libraries participating this year. Click on each one for contact information and more details. This page will continue to be updated, but here's what we have so far:
Find Your Voice! Sign up and begin logging any time after June 20th! Keep track of the time you read or the number of books you read. Return your logs by August 11th.
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Summer Reading Kickoff – Science Heroes: Saving Earth Together, June 26th from 6-7 p.m. Open to ages 4-13 (siblings welcome). Join the storytellers from Talewise for an action-packed story of two unlikely heroes working together to save their town (and the planet) from a super-polluting mastermind! Throughout the adventure, volunteers will help the performers conduct several exciting science experiments that bring this story to life. Together we’ll explore Newton’s Laws of Motion, air pressure, chemical reactions, and more! For more information call the Children's Library: 413-499-9480, ext. 5, or email childrens@pittsfieldlibrary.org
Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield
This summer, in coordination with iRead, the Summer Reading theme is Find Your Voice. Participants are encouraged to try new things, explore their interests, and get involved in their community. We’ll be giving back to our community by completing reading and activity challenges to raise donations for local non-profit organizations. We’ve also opened up Summer Reading to our very youngest patrons who aren’t quite reading on their own yet. We have a special set of challenges for caregivers and children to tackle together, so everyone can participate! Sign ups are open now! Please stop by the library to sign up, and visit our youth page to sign up for the Summer Reading email list and get updates and information about upcoming summer programs!
Early registration for the Summer Reading Program has begun! Anyone who registers before June 26th will be eligible to enter our early registration prize drawing, for one of 5 book bundles! Participants will receive a tote bag for registering. Kids will be able to earn small prizes for reaching various milestones. They’ll also receive tickets to enter into our huge end of summer prize drawing. New this year, we’re expanding our program to include a Middle/High School age option. Kids age 11 and up can enter their tickets in our drawing for one of five $50 gift cards! The easiest way to register is to download the Beanstack app, then search for the Dalton Free Public Library and follow registration prompts. You’re also able to register in person, if you’d prefer to track reading using our paper tracking sheets. Please feel free to email dalton@cwmars.org, or call 684-6112, if you have any questions.
Lenox Library
On Friday, June 23rd from 11:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., pick up your Summer Reading welcome packet, look for Gnorbit the Gnome and try the library scavenger hunt! Finish up with a popsicle outside! Reading packets can also be picked up anytime after this day. The Summer Reading Program is open to students entering Kindergarten up through students who have just graduated from 8th grade.
Mason Library, Great Barrington
Summer Reading: Find Your Voice! The fun-filled Summer Reading Program for 2023 runs June 5 — August 4. Register through Beanstack to log books.
Milne Public Library, Williamstown
This summer's theme is Find Your Voice, and we'll start exploring what that means with stories, games and activities. (Ms. Rocio wanted bubbles, so there will also be bubbles.) Drop in for a bit and have some fun! Attend the Summer Reading Kick-Off Party on July 8th, 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM.
Youth Summer Reading sign ups have already begun! Use this link to sign up or stop by the youth department. Participants ages 17 and under are eligible to join North Adams Public Library's 2023 Summer Reading Program. Kids and teens who sign up will receive a welcome bag with some fun freebies and a reading log to track their summer reading. Tickets can be earned by attending any of the library's events and weekly reading log checks; prizes will be drawn weekly! Summer reading begins July 3rd with a kick-off event!
Find Your Voice! June through August at the Otis Library. Earn Brag Tags for reading, attend weekly trivia, play bruins library bingo and save the date for the annual Library Fair at the Town Hall Green on July 8th!
Independent Reading Program. Children read and record the wonderful books they read over the summer. Logs may be picked up at the library starting June 27th and should be returned by August 29th. Prizes for returned logs!
The theme for summer reading this year is Find Your Voice! Join us in using stories, art, and other forms of creativity to express ourselves and find our voices! Visit the Stockbridge Library to pick up your summer reading log from the front desk. Each day that you read or are read aloud to, color a paint palette on your reading log. Complete a whole reading log to win a small prize from our prize basket and be entered into our grand prize drawing. When you complete one reading log, ask for a second one to fill out so you will have a greater chance at winning! Turn in all your completed reading logs before August 25 to be entered in our grand prize drawing! Winners will be notified the following week and can pick up their prize at the library. Throughout the summer we will have numerous storytimes, crafts, and other fun events for you to attend! Check out our event calendar for a full list of our summer activities. Library Lion will be hiding all summer long at the Stockbridge Library! Each week he will hide in a new spot, so visit weekly to look for him and win a small prize from our prize basket.Subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter, so you can keep up to date on all the Summer happenings around the Berkshires!
