WELCOME TO SUMMER READING!
JUMP TO:
- What is Summer Reading?
- Summer Reading at your Libraries
- Catskill Public Library Program
- Palenville Branch Library Program
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
July 3rd – August 19th, you’re invited join the Catskill Public Library and Palenville Branch Library in All Together Now!, our 2023 Summer Reading program!
The Catskill Public Library and Palenville Branch Library are running two, free Summer Reading programs during Summer 2023. Community members are encouraged to participate in both programs! 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 welcome kit, set your reading goals, and visit us every week for in-person crafts and activities!
At the Palenville Branch Library, pick up your welcome kit filled with goodies, register for weekly “take and make” craft packs, and visit us weekly for groovy in-person activities!
Registration for welcome kits and activities is required.
2023 Summer Reading registration begins Sunday, June 25th in both libraries and will remain open through August.
To register for the Catskill Public Library program, CLICK HERE.
To register for the Palenville Branch Library program, CLICK HERE.
To view all 2023 Summer Reading activities on our calendar of events, CLICK HERE.
Check below to see what our libraries have planned!
CATSKILL PUBLIC LIBRARY
REGISTRATION
All participants will receive a welcome kit which includes goodies, a schedule of events, and a recommended reading list. All participants will be asked to set a reading goal as part of registration.
Welcome kits will be available for pick-up starting Monday, July 3rd.
Reading goals are the minutes read over the 6 weeks of the Summer Reading Program. We recommend children read at least 20 minutes per day for a total of 840 minutes over 6 weeks!
Reading goals are self-set. Check out the table below for more recommended goals:
| Relaxed | 10 minutes/day, 420 minutes total |
| Standard | 20 minutes/day, 840 minutes total |
| Extra | 40 minutes/day, 1,680 minutes total |
Reading goals are totally optional, and those who complete their reading goals are entered into a raffle for extra prizes at the end of August.
TEEN REVIEW CREW
Instead of setting regular reading goals, teens can join the Teen 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 submitting teen! 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 two raffles in August to conclude the 2023 Summer Reading Program.
Winners for the August raffle will be drawn on Monday, August 21st, 2023. Winners will be notified and will have until closing on Saturday, August 27th, 2023 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, and ‘teen’, which is intended for youth in grades 6 through 12. Youth in grades 6 to 8 may choose to participate in the ‘child’ category instead of the ‘teen’ category. 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.
| CHILD | TEEN |
|---|---|
| Minecraft Lego sets, Minecraft Catch the Creeper book | Art set: art markers, marker pad, how-to book. |
| Pete the Cat: Big Reading Adventures boxset, Pete the Cat plush | Gamer set: handheld game emulator, posters, keychains, retro game book |
| Dog Man: The Epic Collection boxset, Dog Man card game, Dog Man stickers | Music set: bluetooth speaker, neon sign, album cover book |
| Lego Classic Bricks & Houses set, How Was That Built? book | |
| Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast books, pancake plush |
All youth registered for the 2023 Summer Reading program are automatically eligible for the August raffle. Participants earn raffle tickets in the following way:
- Completing their reading goals
- Every 40 minutes of reading they complete past their reading goals
- Attending 2023 Summer Reading programs
- For teens only: submitting ‘teen review crew’ reviews
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!
Mondays: Children
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
This programming is intended for youth grades K – 5 and their adults.
7/17: Beautiful Symmetry
7/31: DIY Music Makers
8/14: Puzzle Pandemonium
Wednesdays: Teens
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
This programming is intended for youth grades 6 – 12.
7/19: Donuts & Art
8/2: Friendship Jewelry
8/16: Spatial Poetry
Wednesdays: All Ages!
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
This programming is open to youth of all ages and their adults.
7/12: Board Game Making
7/26: Flower Power
8/9: Pet Toys
Fridays: Preschool
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
This programming is intended for preschool-aged youth.
7/14: Follow That Book! @ Beattie-Powers Place
7/28: Follow That Book! @ Dutchman’s Landing
8/11: Follow That Book! @ Thomas Cole House
Special Programming
7/24: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM, Puppet Show @ Catskill Housing Authority Event Space
8/17: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Bubble Party @ Dutchman’s Landing Stage
8/19: 10:30 AM – 12:30 AM, Ice Cream Party @ Catskill Public Library
PALENVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY
REGISTRATION
This year the Palenville Public Library is focusing on peace, kindness, friendship, and fun!
Palenville is kicking off its Summer Reading program with a “Summer of Fun Get-Together” where participants can pick up their welcome box and make their way through all the nifty stations of activities that will be set up. Welcome boxes will be jam-packed with goodies and a schedule of events.
Welcome boxes will be available for pick-up starting Monday, July 3rd.
All registrations for the 2023 Summer Reading at Palenville, including for the welcome boxes, 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.
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!
Click on the program titles to be taken to their descriptions and registration links on our calendar!
July 10th – July 15th
Craft Pack: Groovy Butterfly Lantern
In-person Activity: Far Out Galaxy Slime
July 11th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
July 13th @ 3 PM – 6 PM
July 17th – July 22nd
Craft Pack: Bee Kind Wreath
In-person Activity: Flower Power Suncatchers
July 18th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
July 20th @ 3 PM – 6 PM
July 24th – 29th
Craft Pack: Best Friend Sock Buddy
In-person Activity: Tie Dye Totes
July 25th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
July 27th @ 3 PM – 6 PM
July 31st – August 5th
Craft Pack: Good Vibe Bee Hive
In-person Activity: KindHEARTed Plushie
August 1st @ 12 PM – 3 PM
August 3rd @ 3 PM – 6 PM
August 7th – August 12th
Craft Pack: Sprinkle with Kindness Sock Donuts (ages 2 -8) OR No Sew Tie Dye Pillow (ages 9 and up)
In-person Activity: Colors of the Rainbow Treats & Experiments
August 8th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
August 10th @ 3 PM – 6 PM
August 14th – August 19th
Craft Pack: Peace Plaque
In-person Activity: Make a Sensational Silicone Charm Bracelet AND Ice Cream Party!
August 15th @ 12 PM – 3 PM
August 17th @ 3 PM – 6 PM
August 19th @ 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
