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Arts & Entertainment

Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program

Reading, art, music and many more fun-filled activities available at Edith Wheeler Memorial Library

Katie Spangenberg, 8, is excited to start reading the “Goosebumps” book series this summer. She also hopes to read more books detailing the adventures of her favorite mouse called “Geronimo Stilton.”

Katie said that her goal is to read 50 books by the time she begins third grade at Stepney Elementary School this fall.

“This Friday I’ll be driving up to Boston so I will read in the car,” Katie said.

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On Saturday afternoon, Katie signed up for the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library’s Summer Reading Program.

Library Director Margaret Borchers said that all staff members pitched in Saturday to ensure the kick-off party’s success. “I’m just one of the workers today,” Borchers said.

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In the late afternoon, Borchers helped teens and adults sign up for their respective summer reading programs online using two laptops provided by the library. An hour later, she manned the Reference Desk upstairs while Adult/Youth Services Librarian Lorna Rhyins supervised teen volunteers at the children’s party, which was an International Festival in honor of the reading program’s theme, One World, Many Stories.

Teens walked around throughout the day passing out appetizers which were provided by David and Sonia Wells of Saugatuck Kitchens. “They’re also doing a tea tasting, folding origami with the kids and doing manga portraits,” Rhyins said. “It’s been terrific.”

Children also enjoyed learning how to wrap a sari. Two local Girl Scout troops also helped youngsters to make a mask that represented the Inuit People. For those who wanted to get a jump start on their reading, Dennis Gallagher set up his dog Gracie in one of the small craft rooms. When she is not listening to children read aloud, Gracie works regularly as a therapy dog in Bridgeport Hospital’s emergency, rehabilitation and oncology departments.

Soccer and Tae Kwon Do demonstrations were also part of Saturday’s festivities. Families also had a great time decorating the sidewalks surrounding the library building with elaborate chalk art.

Olivia Tortora, 15, said that this is her first year participating in the library program. “I really like to read a lot,” she said. “I mostly like to read adventure and mystery books.”

The last ‘good’ book that she could recall was “The Secret Life of Bees.”

Her sister, Alaina, 8, said that her favorite books are about dogs and puppies. In fact, Olivia pointed out that she recently read the book “Runaway Lucky,” which was about a dog, to her younger sibling.

Amaya Moxam, 9, who accompanied the Tortora sisters to the library, said that her favorite books to read are the popular Nancy Drew mystery series. All of the girls said that they plan to visit the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library at least twice a week this summer.

By noon, more than 300 children had enrolled in the children’s program. Borchers said that the library is offering more activities this year than in previous seasons. Moreover, she feels that the recession has influenced such a high interest in this year’s program. “All of our programs are free and I think that makes a difference,” Borchers commented.

Looking at the huge crowd gathering in the Children’s Room, the library’s newly hired Children’s Librarian Libby Mueller said that she was pleased by the turnout. “It’s fabulous,” she enthused. “Everyone seems so excited.”

For more information about the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library’s Summer Reading programs, go to ewml.org.

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