Summer Library Program Takes North Haven Kids Around the World

This summer, North Haven's youngest residents have a place where they can explore foreign lands and keep cool amid hot summer weather at the same time. That place is the North Haven Memorial Library, which is getting ready to kick off its Summer Reading Program with the theme "Around the World from A to Z."

Kids are asked to read at their leisure throughout the summer months, but should dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to reading anything they want, from books to magazines. They earn prizes as they document all of the periodicals they read on a passport they receive upon registering for the program.

The letters of the alphabet represent the different destinations reading club participants can visit and participate in activities at the library, such as Aloha (for the letter "A"), which teaches them about Hawaii. "B" stands for butterfly migration.

The journey is free. Registration for the reading program, which is required, begins on Monday, June 20. Among the prizes children can win are sunglasses, water blasters, yo-yos, and hats.

Regardless of what they win and where they "visit" this summer, Pat LaTerza, head of children's services, just wants the children to enjoy reading.

"I want them to become lovers of reading and lovers of the library," said LaTerza.

The library also offers a teen summer reading club for students entering middle school and high school. Participants can earn raffle tickets for reading and can win gift cards from iTunes, Barnes & Noble, and Abercrombie & Fitch. The program kicks off with a pizza party today (Thursday, June 16) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

LaTerza said the library starts planning the summer programs in January. The result is an extensive list of programs for children of all ages running from this month into August. The reading club ends on Friday, Aug. 12.

Among the programs is Project Pyramid, which explores Egypt. Children aged 7 to 12 can learn how the pyramids in Egypt were built. They will also build their own pyramids during the program on Tuesday, June 28 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. On Wednesday, June 29 at 2 p.m., children aged three and older have the chance to meet Rocky, the mascot of the New Britain Rock Cats baseball team.

LaTerza said entire families will enjoy a family concert series held on the library lawn. There will be five Picnic and Performance events this summer. The first, featuring singer and songwriter Les Julian, will be held on Monday, July 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner. No registration is required for these events.

To register for the summer reading program or any of the summer activities, call the library at 203-239-5803. LaTerza suggested that residents visit the library's website, www.northhavenlibrary.net, to sign up for a biweekly email newsletter that keeps subscribers up-to-date on upcoming library programs. The Friends of the North Haven Library also has a Facebook page that is used to provide updates on library programming and events.