Summer 2022: Read Beyond the Beaten Path

Reading for Fun & Prizes! Sign-Ups for Kids, Teens & Adults Start June 18

       We are happy to announce the return of the Ice Cream Social to kick off this year's Summer Reading programs for children, teens and adults.
   The pandemic forced us to forgo the annual celebration, sponsored by the Wilbraham Friends of the Library, in 2020 and 2021. But now it's back, and the party starts Saturday, June 18, at 10 a.m. in the Brooks Room and lasts till 1 p.m. The Friends have free ice cream for those coming to sign up for summer reading. Attendees will also get a chance to win a Kindle and a book bundle. Cadence the dog will be there for young readers, and One Book, One Community will have a table to talk about this year's read.
   Registration for Summer Reading begins that same day. Successful participants will win raffle tickets for gift cards and other prizes. (Raffle prize winners to be announced Tuesday, Aug. 23). In addition, every child and teen who successfully completes the program will win a free book from a list of popular titles.
   The theme this year is "Read Beyond the Beaten Path." The program runs through Saturday, Aug. 13.
   It's easy to join. Participants in every age group can sign up online, though some categories give you the option of signing up on paper (see below). To get to the registration site, go to our website beginning June 18 and click on the center slide for Summer Reading 2022. Or go directly to https://wilbrahamlibrary.beanstack.org . (We recommend downloading the Beanstack app available wherever you find apps for your device and to sign up that way.) If you have particpated in past summer or winter reading programs here, log in using your already established account. Below are the particulars for each age group.

Children
(Pre-School to entering Grade 5)
   Sign up online or in the library on paper. If online via Beanstack, please use one family member's email to sign up everyone. You cannot use the same email twice. Children registering online can log their reading using the app. If registering on paper in the library,  pick up your logbook in the Children’s Department. To earn prizes, kids must read - or be read to - for 21 days during the summer , a minimum of 20 minutes each day A parent or guardian needs to initial the completed log and return it to the library starting Tuesday, Aug. 2. Finishers will receive a free, new paperback book, a Rice Fruit Farm ice cream cone coupon, a Texas Roadhouse kid’s meal coupon, a coloring sheet, and prizes from our treasure chest. In addition, each finisher will be automatically entered into our raffles for gift cards. Children can pick up their prizes for finishing beginning Tuesday, Aug. 2.
 -- Children's Librarian Heidi Kane

Teens
(Grades 6 to 12)
   The teen Summer Reading challenge is completely online, including registration. Read a book and write a short review to earn a new paperback book, a coupon for homemade chips from Pafumi's To Go (or Stay), and a Rice Fruit Farm ice cream coupon. In addition, each logged book review will earn a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes including a Kindle Fire tablet, a LEGO set, gift cards, books and more. Up to eight book reviews will be accepted. Teens can pick up non-raffle prizes beginning Tuesday, Aug. 2.
-- Teen Services Librarian Rachel Hapgood

Adults
     Adults can sign up online and log up to eight books, along with a brief review of each, and earn up to eight tickets to compete for raffle prizes. Any adult who prefers to sign up in person or use a paper reading log can stop by the library to register and obtain a paper log. Or they create their own log and record up to eight books read along with a brief review of each. Paper reading logs must be returned to the library by Saturday, Aug. 13.
 
Sponsored by the Wilbraham Friends of the Library, iRead, Wilbraham Cultural Council, Pathways for Parents, Rice Fruit Farm, Texas Roadhouse, Pafumi's To Go (or Stay), LUSO, Interskate91, the Massachusetts Library System, and the Boston Bruins.