Summer reading program blasts off at library
The Captiva Memorial Library is once again offering children, teens and adults fun activities and an opportunity to win prizes, plus receive a free book, during the annual Summer Reading Program.
Today, the Lee County Library System kicked off the initiative, which celebrates the joy of reading through weekly events and branch activities that are designed to spark curiosity and engage library users of all ages. Running until Aug. 10, this program’s theme is “A Universe of Stories!”
“We want to engage kids over the summer, and grown-ups too,” Captiva Branch Manager Colleen Barany said, noting that there are offerings for babies to adults. “We’ve got everyone covered.”
This year’s theme aims to help inspire children to dream big, believe in themselves, and create their own story. In addition, the Summer Reading Program coincides with NASA’s 60 years of achievement and its celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
“It’s all going to be focused on planets and space,” she said of the programming.
According to the Lee County Library System, more than 15,000 children participated in the 2018 summer program. Youth who stop by the Captiva library get to pick out a free book to keep.
Adults can swing by the branch to pick up a “multi-pass” and take part in the Intergalactic Multi-Task Challenge. Participants will complete tasks on the challenge list, which library staff will stamp as completed, to earn tickets for entry into a drawing. The more tasks finished, the more chances to win.
“It’s a book basket filled with favorite fiction and library swag,” Barany said of the prize.
In addition, this year’s Summer Reading Program includes an online component for all ages for tracking the books read, with the chance to win even more prizes. Visit readerzone.com or download the ReaderZone App to create a free account; enter the code “lcls2019summer” in order to join.
Those registering multiple family members under the same email account must first create a “parent” account before adding themselves and children.
“They can record the books read, earn badges along the way,” she said.
Babies and preschoolers can win an early literacy prize basket filled with board books and picture books, while children in kindergarten through fifth grade can win a two-hour Caloosahatchee adventure for four aboard the Little Toot Tugboat with lunch, courtesy of the Going Six Knots Foundation.
“Teens can win free admission tickets to several attractions around Lee County,” Barany said.
There are tickets to the Everglades Wonder Gardens and Defy Fort Myers, along with mini golf, escape rooms, bowling and more. The prize tickets also come in pairs, so winners can bring along a friend.
Adult participants have the opportunity to win a Kindle Paperwhite.
Additionally, the Captiva library will offer the following free events and activities:
TEEN PROGRAMS
– June 4: Six word memoir
(daily during operating hours)
Can you share a personal moment or memory in just six words? Add to our memoir mural and enjoy reading other contributions. Supplies provided while they last.
– June 11: Make a star finder
(daily during operating hours)
Learn your way around the constellations with this simple star map folding activity. Supplies provided while they last.
– June 18: Post-it note art gallery
(daily during operating hours)
Contribute to our sticky note art gallery by creating a doodle to add to the collection. All supplies provided while they last.
– June 25: Blackout poetry
(daily during operating hours)
Repurpose the pages of old books by transforming them into poetic works of art. Supplies provided while they last.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
– June 4-8: Home on the Moon portrait
(daily during operating hours)
What would your home look like if you lived on the moon? Design and draw your extraterrestrial abode. All supplies provided while they last.
– June 11-15: Build a droid
(daily during operating hours)
Design and create a paper craft portrait of your very own R2 or BB droid. Supplies provided while they last.
– June 13: Out of this World Alien Fun from 2 to 3 p.m.
Enjoy the audience participation puppet show, “Aliens Love Underpants.” An alien underpants coloring sheet will be available for children to color during the program. The puppet show will be followed by the game “Protect the Planet.”
– June 18-22: Paper airplane design challenge
(daily during operating hours)
Learn how to fold different paper airplane designs. Record flight distance and air time. All supplies provided while they last.
– June 20: Our Solar System from 2 to 3 p.m.
We have a fascinating solar system. It is full of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, minor planets and many other exciting objects. Make galaxy rocks to take home.
– June 25-29: Solar system mobile
(daily during operating hours)
Color, arrange and assemble a simple mobile based on our solar system. Supplies provided while they last.
– June 27: Star Stories: Greek Myths from 2 to 3 p.m.
The night sky is full of star constellations. The ancient Greeks named the star constellations after their awesome myths and folktales. Katie Adams performs the myths with colorful shadow puppets, storytelling and audience participation.
EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS
– May 29 to June 1: Food activity
(daily during operating hours)
Infant to 24 months old, “Time to eat – Yum! Yum!”; ages 2-3, “Munching on lunch”; and ages 4-5, “Fun, fabulous food!”
– June 4-8: Colors activity
(daily during operating hours)
Infant to 24 months old, “Color My World”; ages 2-3, “Colors of the Rainbow”; and ages 4-5, “Color Wonder”
– June 11-15: Ocean activity
(daily during operating hours)
Infant to 24 months old, “Down by the Ocean”; ages 2-3, “Sun and Sea”; and ages 4-5, “Water critters”
– June 18-22: Pets activity
(daily during operating hours)
Infant to 24 months old, “Pet Show”; ages 2-3, “Pet Parade”; and ages 4-5, “All about dogs and all about cats”
– June 25-29: Farm activity
(daily during operating hours)
Infant to 24 months old, “Down on the Farm”; ages 2-3, “Old MacDonald’s Farm”; and ages 4-5, “Barnyard Tales”
Residents and visitors of all ages are encouraged to take part over the summer.
“How could you not? It’s so much fun” Barany said.
The Captiva Memorial Library is open Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 239-533-4890 or visit www.leelibrary.net/summer.
The Captiva Memorial Library is at 11560 Chapin Lane.