Summer @ BPL Celebration!

By Christine Berardi

On July 12, more than 300 children and their families enjoyed a fun and educational day as The Brooklyn Public Library kicked off the Summer Reading Program at its Macon branch.

Children enjoyed special performances, arts and crafts, giveaways and so much more. The Library gave away 200 books to young people during the special day. Nine National Grid employees made the day even more special by volunteering during the event. They welcomed and greeted patrons, assisted with various arts and crafts activities, read a book during story time and handed out Summer Reading materials.

The 2023 theme “Summer at BPL: Book Your Brooklyn” highlights adventures around the borough. The program celebrates the stories of the neighborhoods and libraries that make the borough unique. Exciting adventures include block parties, author programs, performances, Grab & Learn bags with program materials, and the beloved summer literacy and STEM programs.

Building on the success of the new StoryTeen internship program, now in its second year, a new cohort of 8-12 teens (grades 10-12) interested in literacy and early childhood education participates in a 60-hour summer internship program. The program focuses on Summer Reading programming and outreach.

“We thank National Grid Foundation for its generous support of Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading Program and StoryTeen Internship Program. With the support of National Grid Foundation, Brooklyn Public Library provides program and literacy activities that encourages reading and progress summer learning loss all summer long,” said Nicole Bryan, Branch Manager of Macon Library in Bed Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. “We also can provide giveaway books to our children and teens to take that love of learning home. Our StoryTeens have hands-on work experience at all branch locations. They will work with our outreach team and provide summer reading programs.”