“Be a Hero Every Day!” is the theme of this year’s summer reading program for children, and registration is ongoing in the Mattapoisett Library’s Children’s Department. Sign up and receive a hero lanyard, reading hours card, and the schedule of activities for ages toddler through sixth grade.
The Wareham Gatemen will read to children and sign autographs on Wednesday, July 1 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. No registration is required, and all ages are welcome. A craft project will also be available.
Well-known storyteller Rona Leventhal will present “Heromania! Stories of Heroes Big and Small” for ages five and up on Wednesday, July 15 at 11:00 am. Rona will take the audience on a journey around the world and back with her pocket full of stores of heroes and heroines of all shapes and sizes. Be ready for dancing, singing, and laughing! Register at the library. The program will take place in Reynauld Hall at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church on the corner of Barstow and Church Streets.
Summer reading participants who read six hours or more will be eligible for the ice cream sundae party at the end of the six-week program and will be entered into a raffle to win one of four grand prize packs filled with fun items. Those who read at least six hours will earn a free ticket to a Pawtucket Red Sox game.
Readers report their reading hours each week and earn points that translate into donations from a generous local family to four different local non-profits that benefit the Mattapoisett community. Stop in and learn more about these worthy efforts and how you can help.
Each week during the program there will be a drop-in craft, new “hero challenges,” Legos, computer games, and special events. Story time will be offered every Thursday at 10:30 am.
Chess Club will meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm. Both children and adults are invited to learn the game and sharpen their skills. Bring a chess set, if you have one.
Teen Events and Programs: “Unmask” is the Summer Reading theme for older students. Stop by the Student Lounge upstairs to meet friends and find books on the summer reading list and new titles just published. This is also the place to find DVDs, video games and graphic novels. Make your own buttons and enjoy the cereal bar.
Student Writers and Artists: On Tuesday, June 30 from 2:20 to 3:15 pm, learn how to submit your writing or photos of your artwork to The Marble Collection, the Massachusetts High School Magazine of the Arts. Get tips on how to have your work selected. Adults who mentor student writers and artists are also encouraged to attend. Refreshments are being served, so please sign up by calling 508-758-4171 or emailing Liz Sherry at esherry@sailsinc.org.
During Harbor Days on July 17 & 18, visit the MOBY Fair on the library lawn. Come and see what all the My Own BackYard project buzz is about. New backpacks are chock full of equipment, books and activities on an array of natural science subjects, including rock hounding, camping, organic gardening, invasive species, letterboxing, nature journals and more. Pan for gold, make structures with sticks and stones, all in the name of science! While perusing the cool stuff, enjoy a root beer float.
Comic Con rules at the library all day on Saturday, July 25, so start organizing your stash of comics for our comic book exchange. Each participant in the exchange is eligible for the drawing of new graphic novels and more. Celebrate comic culture and test your skills with Dr. Who Trivia. Have your photo taken in the Tardis instant photo booth. Sponsored by New England Comics, Time Capsule Comics, and The Boston Superheroes.
Thousands of additional ebooks are now available. Mattapoisett Library patrons have three additional collections of ebooks and videos to browse, thanks to participation in the state’s ebook project. Fiction and non-fiction titles can be downloaded to most devices. All that is needed is a Mattapoisett Library card. Stop in for more information or visit the library’s website at www.mattapoisettlibrary.org.
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale: The next used book sale will be held the week of Harbor Days, July 16-18 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Members of the Friends are invited to the Preview Sale on Wednesday, July 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The Friends continue to accept book and DVD donations in good condition any day the library is open.
Knitting Club: Knitters – both experienced and beginner – gather every Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 pm in the downstairs meeting room. Anyone of any age is welcome to join in. Knitting needles and yarn are available so new knitters can give it a try.
Signing Savvy: Want to learn sign language to communicate more effectively with a hearing-impaired person or to begin a fun way to communicate with your baby or toddler? Visit the library’s website with your Mattapoisett Library card and select “Signing Savvy” on the left side of the home page. The free program enables searches for words and phrases you want to learn and saves your list of new signs.