Sanibel library to kick off annual Summer Reading Program
The Sanibel Public Library invites families to register children for its Summer Reading Program.
This year’s theme is “Tails and Tales,” with a special focus on animals. Babies to teens are invited to register starting on May 29. Program participants will receive a special gift; quantities are limited.
“There is a great selection of books for the readers to earn,” Youth Service Librarian Deanna Evans said. “We will do some weekly drawings for those who come in, much like we have during a normal kick-off, but spread out over weeks.”
Programming will be available online and Take and Make activities will be available to pick up. The library is offering “browse inside” or contact-less curbside service for those families who want to check out books for summer reading.
As in years past, participants can read to earn books for their home library and for patients at the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The Sanibel Public Library Foundation matches each book “earned” with a book for patients at the hospital. Since its inception in 2012, participants have helped to contribute nearly 12,000 books. The Summer Reading Program is funded in part by a grant from the foundation’s Joan Hunt Cory Children’s Fund. The fund was established in 2008 to honor longtime library volunteer and supporter Joan Hunt Cory, who was a 20-year Sanibel resident.
Instead of paper logs for tracking reading and activities, the library offers Beanstack. Sign up from a smartphone or computer at https://sanlib.beanstack.org/reader365, or call the library for help. Beanstack is a free, user-friendly app for PCs and Apple and Android devices. Adult readers can also use Beanstack. It sends each reader a weekly recommendation for books based on age and interests.
“One feature that I really like is the ability to scan the ISBN of a book to quickly log it in Beanstack,” Evans said. “Super handy!”
Baby Bounce Time videos will be available on the library’s Children’s Page at sanlib.org/children. It is a program that is aimed at parents with babies from newborn to 2 years of age. It is a fun session to help to build motor and literacy skills through stories, song and movement. In addition, an online storytime video will be available on the Children’s page, replaced each week by a new story read aloud.
In addition, the library will host online programming from Page Turner Adventures starting on June 21, with weekday programming continuing for four weeks. The programming will include comedy story theater shows, crafts, recipes, author interviews, guest performers, contests and games.
Once registered, participants may pick up their gift and any books earned at the library.
To use the contact-less curbside service, put items on hold online or make requests by calling 239-472-2483. You will be notified when your items are ready for pickup. Patrons have three days, excluding Saturday and Sunday, to pick up items. Hours are Monday to Friday from noon to 3 p.m.
Library cards are available to residents of Sanibel and Lee County at no charge.
Visitor library cards are available for a $10 annual fee.
The Sanibel Public Library is open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays. Starting in June, it will move to its summer hours for Saturdays, which is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The library will be closed on May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.
For more information, call 239-472-2483 or visit online at www.sanlib.org.
The Sanibel Public Library is at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.