Make Time For Reading This Summer
Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
July at the Cobourg Public Library means a start to summer and an end to Sunday hours. Even though it’s open only six days a week, however, you will not want for things to do and enjoy at your local libary.
There are two reading clubs, for example, and July 2 is registration day for both – the Adult Summer Reading Club and the always-popular TD Summer Reading Club for readers aged two and 12 (through which the libary has set itself a goal of having 1,000 books read this summer).
TD Summer Reading Club members may also choose to sign up at the Librarywood Launch Party July 4 at 2 p.m. – walk the red carpet, take selfies, and see how you can get your own star on the Librarywood Walk of Fame.
Special launches are planned at the Hamilton Township branches as well, with ice-cream parties July 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Gore’s Landing branch and July 4 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Bewdley branch.
If you’re planning to be at the Harwood Hall for the monthly pancake breakfast on July 7 (8:30 to 11 a.m.), you can take advantage of the on-site Breakfast, Books & More service to sign up, renew your card, check out materials or return items you have already borrowed.
In Cobourg, the library will be part of the Farmers’ Market July 21 in its new location at the Rotary Waterfront Park.
The library always has dozens of great children’s and families’ programs to help them make the most of summer, and there’s quite a variety in July.
July 3 – Grease is the word for a 1950s-themed party that includes a screening of the movie (dress as your favourite character), with snacks plus hula-hoop and limbo contests (for ages 13 and up).
July 9 – Families are invited to the 2 p.m. Wild & Wacky Field Day (registration required).
July 11 – Families are invited to make their way to the Cobourg Ecology Garden (at the south end of Hibernia Street) at 10 a.m. for a program offered in partnership with these devoted volunteers – a Storybook Scavenger Hunt in the garden.
July 12 – An all-day maze challenge for families gives you the chance to try your own skill at mazes and make your own maze craft.
July 13 – At the Bewdley branch, Music by Jake is the 10:30 a.m. concert for the whole family.
July 17 – DIY Sock Stuffie has library staffers helping you sew a cute kitten stuffie at 2 p.m., whether or not you have any previous sewing experience (for ages 10 to 16, registration required).
July 20 – At the Bewdley branch, fans of the Rainbow Magic Fairy series are invited to make a fairy garden at 10 a.m. (for ages six to 12, registration required).
July 24 – Library Kingdom lets you aspire to be royalty (or perhaps a knight) in a fun program of story time, crafts, activities and games for the whole family at 2 p.m.
July 26 – Families are invited to a 2 p.m. Library Fiesta, with play time, dances and a pinata to whack (registration required).
July 30 – The Steam Challenge Marble Run starts at 2 p.m., with the challenge of creating a marble run using recyclables (for ages two to 13, registration required).
July 31 – Science Hour offers some interesting experiments at 2 p.m. (for ages six to 12, registration required).
Scheduled programming is always fun, but the staff have organized a variety of Anytime Activities that are on offer for more than one day (typically a week-long opportunity to try something a little different).
In July there are four, starting with two that run from July 9 to 21. Book Character Craft is a chance for families to create some favourite book characters. Would You Rather welcomes young people aged 13 and up to make some choices and find out whether they tend to be adventurous or intellectual (or possibly both).
DIY Teen Crafts To Go is offered to young people aged 13 and up July 16 to 21. The library provides crafts materials and instructions, and you get to take the results home.
Offered at all three branches, Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt from July 23 to 28 welcomes families to a special challenge for all to enjoy.
The longer-term Teen Summer Reading Scratch-Off is offered at all three branches for young people aged 13 and up through Aug. 25. For every three library books you check out, you have a chance to win – an instant prize or a ballot to fill out for the grand prize.
Some regular ongoing programs will be continuing through the summer.
Mondays is the day for Needle Nuts Yarn Circle at 10:30 a.m. For those knitters and crocheters.
Wednesdays bring Family Story Time at 10:30 a.m., with stories, activities, rhymes and a craft.
Fridays bring all-day Tinker Table Fridays in the Youth Services Department. Drop in and see what hands-on activity is going on – designing and building something new, or taking something apat to see how it works.
New for the summer is the Summer Reading Circle for families at 11 a.m. Tuesdays, with games, stories and crafts.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love