Summer Reading Club at the WPL

We have had a great start to our summer reading program so far this June! Jenisa and I always enjoy seeing the plans we've been making all year for summer reading come to life. It is truly our passion to make reading enjoyable and fun for kids and families. We love seeing the smiles, fun, and connections that families create while spending time at our library programs.

The library offers reading groups for all ages. The youngest groups meet every Wednesday. Babies and toddlers attend Wee Read from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. with their caregivers. Wee Read is a storytime that incorporates music, movement, scarves, and shaky eggs. This year-round program is an excellent way to introduce literacy skills to our youngest patrons.

After Wee Read, our next group starts at 10:30. This program is for children who have attended preschool but have not yet entered Kindergarten. Beyond the Book is similar to Wee Read, but it takes place in a classroom setting. The children can answer questions and express ideas about the stories we read. It's also an excellent way to reinforce the reading and behavior skills students worked on during the school year while enjoying storytime with friends.

The Kindergarten through second-grade children meet on Mondays from 10:00 until 11. Each week, we have a different topic. They listen to a story about the topic, and then we have activities for the remainder of the time. We enjoyed listening to Samantha Jamison from the Country Extension Office teach about Coding Across Iowa. We have done some coding with our Bee-Bot Robots and have also learned all about ants!

Students in grades 3 through 5 have scheduled activities that vary throughout the summer. So far this June, they have enjoyed painting bubbles with watercolor, making buttons, and fishing at Marr Park. It was a little rainy on the fishing outing, but I think all would agree the rain made it even more fun!

Our teens have enjoyed making buttons, Make-IT Monday, and a Bob Ross Paint Along. Adults can participate in various book clubs. All ages, including adults, are invited to track the number of pages they read for our reading challenge. We are hoping each person can read 750 pages. Our combined total goal for the end of the summer is 200,000 pages, and we are well on our way!

If you would like to join us for any part of the summer reading program, there is still time! If you have any questions, please stop in or call us at the library.