Your librarians at the Waterford Pubic Library have been busy planning in-person and virtual events coordinating around this year’s theme for Summer Reading 2021 “Tails and Tales!”

We are excited to be back in action after a long isolated year with a robust schedule of programming for all ages tailored to meet your needs. Whether you are desperate to get out of the house and socialize safely outdoors or still prefer to tune in online, we have a program for you.

Did you know that, while most people think of Summer Reading as being important for school-age children, we have developed a Summer Reading Program for infants all the way up through adulthood. It is never too early to read to your baby.

We encourage you to participate in the Summer Reading Program and take advantage of the developmentally appropriate activities we have planned that include early literacy skills such as talking, singing, reading, writing and playing.

School-age children should also participate to prevent “summer slide” commonly known as learning loss so they return to school ready to succeed. It’s fun, it s easy and you will be helping the children in your life establish a love of reading and lifelong learning.

Some of the Youth Summer Reading highlights include a virtual harmonica performance by Jiayi He, world-renowned harmonica virtuoso, to celebrate Make Music Day on June 21. In addition, participants between the ages of 8 and 18 can register for a harmonica lesson and receive a brand new Hohner Harmonica, generously donated by an anonymous donor, theirs to keep.

Animals for fun

This summer, we will also have live animals visiting the library, including alpacas for a special outside storytime along with a few special guests from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Teens looking to enhance their beat making skills should keep an eye out for our TikTok, YouTube and Making Your Own Beats: The Teen Technology Show program.

Eshu Bumpus, a storyteller of African tales, will perform in early August.

A fun Facebook activity continues into our third year based on our Summer Reading theme. This summer is Where in Waterford is the Whale? Beginning in July, see where the Whale is hiding in Waterford based on weekly clues posted on our Facebook page.

Adult activities

Adults can sign up for the Adult Summer Reading Program starting in July by reading books, keeping a reading log, and entering a raffle to win a basketful of goodies for every five books read. Programming highlights include live Friday night musical alfresco concerts, an outdoor one-woman theatrical show, a talk on wildflower folklore, Canvas and Coffee: an outdoor painting workshop and more.

Thanks to generous funding from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, the library will be hosting a series of eight weekly outdoor films. Sunset Cinema screenings will begin on Thursday, June 10. Visit the library’s website at www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org for details on this series and all of the educational and entertaining summer programs at your Waterford Public Library.

You can also follow the library on Instagram @waterfordlibraryct or Facebook @waterfordpubliclibrary. Or sign up for a monthly e-newsletter to get a sneak preview of upcoming events, resources, staff recommendations and other important updates. We look forward to seeing you in-person or virtually this summer!

Jill Adams is head of adult services at Waterford Public Library.