WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Public Library began its Summer Reading Program on June 18. The program runs until Aug. 2. The theme this year is “Read, Renew, Repeat,” with a focus on protecting the environment.
“For us as a library, we have so many exciting things that we like doing,” said Youth Services Supervisor Rhoda Crowell. “We love having the kids come in and find out about new books, what materials we have and the fun programs we have.”
She continued, “Our summer reading program is usually pretty well-attended. Last year, we had 580 kids sign up and a total of 4,178 hours read, which was fantastic. They have a chance to earn prizes for reading. Whether it’s an audiobook or graphic novel, they can read whatever they want. It’s all about the pleasure of reading.”
Special programs this summer will include hosting a butterfly enclosure where children can watch caterpillars enter chrysalis and turn into butterflies, culminating with a day when children get to release the butterflies outside. The library will also host programs along a recycling theme, such as “Artful Mechanism” on June 25, where household materials are turned into movable art. On Aug. 13, the library will host the “Whalemobile,” a 40-foot-long inflatable whale that lets groups of 20 at a time to come in to talk about whales and whale conservation.
Families that read to their children, and children entering grade 1 or younger, earn either a book or a small prize for every two hours they read. For children entering grades 2-8, every two hours of reading earns a raffle ticket for a prize drawing. Anyone who reads at least 10 hours is welcome to attend the ice cream party and raffle drawing on Aug. 16. Teens (ages 13-17) will earn one ticket for every hour of reading, to be entered into an August raffle for one of four teen prize packs.
“The biggest goal is to have as many people come in and have fun reading,” said Crowell. “We want to make sure that they understand we’re here and we’re a resource.”
Adults can also earn tickets for a raffle by reading. New this year is another way to earn tickets, by attending community programs. These include the ongoing West Side Walking Book Club and one-time events like the Hampden County Beekeepers Association program about honeybees in July. This is Lyndsay Neffinger’s first year as adult services supervisor, an she said she wants to keep the program simple to see how the community responds.
The West Springfield Public Library is at 200 Park St. The library’s summer hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. For more information, visit wspl.org.
