Broomfield Library Plans Summer of Literacy, Story Times, and Family Activities

By Kristen Beckman

The Broomfield Library has a full and fun lineup of reading and literacy activities for kids and their families to enjoy this summer.

Summer Library Adventures

The library’s Summer Library Adventures program encourages reading and literacy development activities, including singing, talking, playing, and reading aloud for babies and young children, and listening to audiobooks and being read aloud to for older kids and teens, said Suzanne Linder, library programming manager for the Broomfield Library.

“Anything that keeps kids engaged in reading and exploring and interacting with the world around them helps to build their capacity for literacy,” Linder said.

TAILS & TALES

The library is using the Tails & Tales summer reading program, developed by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, which focuses on books and activities about animals and folktales. The program runs from June 1 through July 31. All ages are encouraged to sign up, and programming is tailored to several different reading levels and abilities, including programs for babies, youth, teens, and adults.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM

The library will officially kick off its summer reading program on June 5 during its Summer Reading Celebration, which will include hands-on activities and the opportunity to sign up for the program. Registration may be required depending on COVID-19 restrictions at the time of the event.

Participants can track their reading and activities online and get books and materials curbside for the program. This year, participants who finish the program will receive a book and a bowling pass at Chipper’s Lanes, subject to COVID-19 restrictions. The library had to adjust its traditional lineup of completion prizes to account for COVID-19 limitations, Linder said.

The summer reading program is a popular activity for the library. In 2019, nearly 7,000 people participated,

Linder said. Last year, the library was closed until July and had to adjust its summer reading program by offering virtual activities and eliminating completion prizes.

OUTDOOR STORY TIMES

The library also has other activities planned for the summer to keep children engaged in reading and literacy. Outdoor story times will begin June 8 for preschoolers aged 2-5 and June 10 for babies from newborn to age 2. The outdoor story times will continue through the summer on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Linder said the library moved story times outside last year in response to COVID-19 and decided to continue them this year because they were well received.

“We really like having them outside and we think outdoor story times in the summer are a thing that might hang around,” said Linder. “It allows a lot more families to be out there.”

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS

The library also will offer its Wonderful Wednesdays performances geared toward children 5 years and older and their families. Four performances are scheduled on June 9 and 23, and July 7 and 21.

Families can also visit the library’s inventHQ makerspace on a drop-in basis this summer, where they can spend time inventing, learning, playing, and building. The makerspace has a laser cutter, 3D printers, digital embroidery machines, sewing machines, electronic cutters, and small board electronics for kids and their families to use.

LEARN MORE

Visit Broomfield.org/library to find up-to-date schedules and information, as well as the latest information on restrictions related to COVID-19. Register for the summer reading program at broomfield.beanstack.org. Find up-to-date information about drop-in open hours for the makerspace at Broomfield.org/inventHQ.