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2024 Summer Reading

WELCOME TO SUMMER READING!

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What is Summer Reading?

Every year, public libraries across the United States hold programs to encourage children to read throughout July and August. These programs are designed to combat the “summer slide” that happens when children lose some of the learning progress gained during the school year. Children can lose up to TWO MONTHS of reading and math progress over summer break.

It is important to encourage active reading throughout the summer so that children are set up for success for the upcoming school year.

Summer Reading at your Libraries

The Catskill Public Library and Palenville Branch Library are running two, free Summer Reading programs during Summer 2024. By offering weekly craft packs, in-person activities, and prizes we hope to encourage children to come in, browse our collection and order books within the Mid-Hudson Library System.

At the Catskill Public Library, stop by for a youth welcome kit and visit us every week for in-person crafts and activities! Fill out your ‘Reading Passport’ to earn tickets toward a raffle prize at the end of the summer! Keep an eye out for our off-site activities, like our field trip and our Bubble Party!

At the Palenville Branch Library, get ready for a safari adventure like no other! Kick things off with a welcome bag bursting with surprises. Each week, grab a different Craft Pack to unleash your creativity at home. Plus, get your hands dirty with cool projects every week right at the library – yep, in person! And to cap it all off, we’re throwing a make your own ice cream sundae bash at the end of the summer to celebrate your wild journey with us! Let the Adventure begin!

Registration for welcome kits and activities is required.

2024 Summer Reading registration begins Sunday, June 16th in both libraries and will remain open through August.

To view all 2024 Summer Reading activities on our calendar of events, CLICK HERE.

Check below to see what our libraries have planned!
REGISTRATION

To register for Catskill’s 2024 Summer Reading Program, please CLICK HERE.

All youth participants will receive a welcome kit which includes goodies, a schedule of events, a recommended reading list, and a ‘Reading Passport’.

Welcome kits will be available for pick-up starting Monday, July 1st.

CATSKILL READING PASSPORTS

All participants will receive a ‘Reading Passport’ when they register for 2024 Summer Reading. Filling out the passport will earn participants raffle tickets, which enters them to win one of several raffle prizes in August!

CATSKILL REVIEW CREW

Teens and adults can participate in the Catskill Review Crew! For every piece of media (not just books!) they review and submit in-person or through our online form, they’ll be given an entry into our August raffle.

Reviews must include the title and creator of the reviewed media as well as the name of the submitter! Reviews have no word limit, but we’ll be putting them up around the library (anonymously!) so we encourage the participants to make them convincing!

We are accepting reviews of the following media:

  • Books
  • Audiobooks
  • Music
  • Movies
  • TV Series
  • Podcasts
  • Videogames
  • Boardgames

To submit a review online, CLICK HERE.

RAFFLE

The Catskill Public Library is holding three raffles in August to conclude the 2024 Summer Reading Program.

Winners for the August raffle will be drawn on Monday, August 19th, 2024. Winners will be notified and will have until closing on Saturday, August 24th, 2024 to pick up their prizes. If the winner does not pick up their prize by that time a new winner will be drawn.

The raffle categories are ‘child’, which is intended for youth in grades K through 5, ‘teen’, which is intended for youth in grades 6 through 12, and ‘adult’, which is intended for people ages 18 and older. Participants may submit raffle tickets to more than one prize per category, but are only eligible to win one prize.

See below for the prizes in each category.

CHILDTEENADULT
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, Crayon Plush, Crayon Stationary SetD&D Essentials Kit, D&D Starter SetSAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A9+ Android Tablet
Pete the Cat: Super Cool Reading Collection boxset, Pete the Cat plushWatercolor With Me in the Forest by Dana Fox, Watercolor Paint Set
Minecraft: Guide to Exploration by The Official Minecraft Team, LEGO Minecraft The Mushroom House SetBanana Duck Plush, Banana Man Plush
Bluey 5-Minute Stories: 6 Stories in 1 Book? Hooray! by Penguin Young Readers, Bluey: Little Library 4-Book Box Set by Penguin Young Readers, Bluey Plush
100 Things to Know About the Unknown by Jerome Martin, Trinity Pink Triceratops Squishmallow

Everyone registered for the 2024 Summer Reading program is automatically eligible for the August raffle. Participants earn raffle tickets in the following way:

  • Every 60 minutes of reading they complete past their reading goals
  • Attending 2024 Summer Reading programs
  • For teens and adults only: submitting ‘review crew’ reviews
  • Completing other Reading Passport challenges
PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

Programming begins the week of Monday, July 10th and will alternate Mondays and Wednesdays. Unless otherwise stated, pre-registration is required for each program. Please check the intended age in the program description to make sure it is right for your child!

Click on the program titles to be taken to their descriptions and registration links on our calendar!

July 1st – July 6th: Welcome Week
During open business hours
Pick up your Welcome Kit filled with toys, reading recommendations, and a Reading Passport!

Mondays: Children
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
This programming is intended for youth grades K – 5 and their adults.
7/15: Adventure Packs
7/29: Chalk Adventures
8/12: Constellation Jars

Wednesdays: Teens
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
This programming is intended for youth grades 6 – 12.
7/17: Adventure Selfie
7/31: Boba Tea Making
8/14: Adventures in Sewing

Wednesdays: All Ages!
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
This programming is open to youth of all ages and their adults.
7/10: Glow-In-The-Dark Paint-Along
7/24: Adventure Cupcakes
8/07 Community Collage

Fridays: Preschool
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
This programming is intended for preschool-aged youth.
7/12: Follow That Book! @ Beattie-Powers Place
7/26: Follow That Book! @ Beattie-Powers Place
8/09: Follow That Book! @ Thomas Cole House

Special Programming
7/22: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM, Field Trip @ Hudson River Maritime Museum
8/15: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Bubble Party @ Dutchman’s Landing Stage

PALENVILLE REGISTRATION

All registrations for the 2024 Summer Reading at Palenville, including for the welcome bags, craft packs, and in-person activities can be made in the following ways:

  • Over the phone by calling the Palenville Branch Library at (518) 678-3357
  • In-person at the Palenville Branch Library circulation desk
  • Online via registration links.
    • Registration links will be posted to the website calendar of events and on the Palenville Branch Library Facebook page. There will be instructions on the event listings on how to use the registration program: Sign Up Genius. Please read the instructions carefully.

To register for Palenville’s 2024 Summer Reading Program, please CLICK HERE.

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

The Palenville Branch Library is offering weekly “take and make” craft packs for children during July and August. Craft packs may be picked up during regular business hours.

Weekly hands-on, in-person activities will also be offered twice a week. Please pay close attention to the specific days and times of each activity! Participants may come any time during the listed hours!

At the end of the summer join us for a “make your own ice cream sundae” party to celebrate everyone’s participation in the program!

July 1st – July 6th
During open business hours
Pick up your Welcome Drawstring Backpack jamp-packed with goodies, adopt a Mini Safari Animal Plush Toy to tag along with you on your adventures, and make your way through all the cool stations of fun that will be set up!

July 8th – July 13th
Craft Pack: Go Get ‘Em Tiger Lantern
In-person Activity: Jungle Slime
July 9th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
July 11th @ 3 PM – 6 PM

July 15th – July 20th
Craft Pack: Camping Life
In-person Activity: Galaxy Sparkle Jars
July 16th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
July 18th @ 3 PM – 6 PM

July 22nd – 27th
Craft Pack: ElePHANtastic Sock Pal
In-person Activity: Air Dry Clay Snakes & Jungle Treats
July 23rd @ 12 PM – 3 PM
July 25th @ 3 PM – 6 PM

July 29th – August 3rd
Craft Pack: Monkey Around Clay Pot (ages 2-8) OR Button Elephant Art (ages 9 and up)
In-person Activity: Pop Art Stained Glass Giraffe
July 30th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
August 1st @ 3 PM – 6 PM

August 5th – August 10th
Craft Pack: Be Proud Lion Mirror (ages 2 -8) OR Animal Diamond Art Kit (ages 9 and up)
In-person Activity: Simple Sloth Sewing Plushie
August 6th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
August 8th @ 3 PM – 6 PM

August 12th – August 17th
Craft Pack: Scenic Safari Shadow Box
In-person Activity: Make a Silicone Charm Bracelet AND Ice Cream Party!
August 13th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
August 15th @ 3 PM – 6 PM
August 17th @ 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Special Activity: Meet us at the Bailiwick Animal Park!
August 14th @ 10 AM – 3 PM
Free admission for up to a family of four!

Connect with the
Catskill Public Library

Hours:
Monday: 9am-5pm
Tuesday: 11am-6:30pm
Wednesday: 11am-6:30pm
Thursday: 11am-6:30pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm
Sunday: CLOSED

Connect with the
Palenville Branch Library

Hours:
Monday: 9am-12pm
Tuesday: 11am-5pm
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 11am-7pm
Friday: 11am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-1pm
Sunday: CLOSED