Grand Marais Public Library is sending out a huge thank you to the community for supporting the 2017 Summer Reading Program, a nationally coordinated library event recognized for improving educational performance of participants.
Kids who read over the summer don’t fall behind and are better prepared to begin school in the fall. The importance of keeping kids reading in the summer has been shown to statistically improve academic performance year over year, accumulating each year a child participates.
It turned out to be a very busy summer. The library goal was to reach more kids and offer engaging activities. As a result, participation grew to 130 kids this year.
Kids engaged in activities including STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) kits borrowed from Arrowhead Library System that provided opportunities with the Button Maker, Magna Tiles, Microscopes and Coding for Kids.
Two activity favorites were Perler Bead Designing and weekly Scavenger Hunts. “Where WAS Little Elliot” was also a weekly hit. And thanks to the support of the Library Friends, dozens of kids each got 10 free books at their annual book sale!
All told, participation in all the weekly offerings and special events (Author Bill Durbin visit, On Time Circus Puppet Show, Mad Science MN, Dom Flemons Music and ClIMB Theatre) was over 1,000!
The Celebration Picnic, held on August 8, was also a hit. Rose Arrowsmith-DeCoux provided a story time in the morning that was attended by over 100. That was followed by a picnic with attendance that swelled further. Thanks to the generous support of Gene’s Foods, Johnson’s Foods and the Cook County Whole Food Co-op, the library served 160 hot dogs, 24 gluten free PB&J sandwiches, chips, watermelon and lemonade to a large, happy crowd.
Sven & Ole’s Pizza, Gunflint Mercantile, DQ, Cook County Whole Foods Co-op and Beth’s Fudge & Gifts supplied prize treats this year.
Kids who have not yet done so are still welcome to bring in their reading logs and pick a prize book.
Leave a Reply