The Winthrop Public Library is getting creative with reading this summer. As an incentive to get youngsters to read, Young Adult Librarian Mary Kate Schulte, has spearheaded the “Read to Bead†program, which gives students a chance to earn beads for minutes and hours spent reading.
Schulte adopted the program on her mission to encourage kids to read over the summer months and prevent the “summer slide.â€
“It started because I was looking to do something a little different this summer – something that would appeal to a variety of age groups,†said Schulte. “Research shows that kids who read over the summer do better academically the following year than those that don’t.â€
All kids are eligible to participate in the program, as long as they keep track of the number of minutes they read on a “Read to Bead†sheet tracker. Each reader is provided with a necklace and a “brag tag,†which is a dog-tag type metal tag embellished with a clever quote and the image of the Winthrop Public Library. Students are asked to keep track of the number of minutes they read each week, and to turn the time in for beads, the end goal being to fill the necklace. Different time increments are designated for specific beads, the longest amount of time rightfully equaling bigger beads. There are glitter beads, glow in the dark beads, shiny beads, as well as beads in the shape of sea creatures.
“What appealed to me was that it focused on the amount of time kids are reading rather than the number of books,†said Schulte. “The schools in town are already asking elementary students to record how many minutes they read on a calendar with the goal of reading 15-20 minutes each day. The WPL “Read to Bead” program dovetails nicely with this by giving kids that immediate incentive. Kids are coming in almost every day to exchange time for beads or trade in beads they already have for newer, cooler beads. These young readers are sitting in the library and asking us to time them so that they can get their beads right away.â€
This is just one of the many programs going on at the library this summer. For more information on programming, please visit the library’s Facebook page or https://www.winthroppubliclibrary.org/
—— Winthrop Public Library Schedule ——
Check out what’s happening at the Winthrop Public Library in July! Programs are always free.
There will be summer hours until September.
Monday 10-6
Tuesday 11-8
Wednesday 10-6
Thursday 11-8
Friday 10-5
Saturday Closed
Adult
Tuesday, July 16, and 30, 5:30 p.m. : Tech Drop-In – Evening Sessions and Tuesday, July 23, 11:30 a.m. : Tech Drop-In – Afternoon Sessions
On Tuesdays, we offer free basic computer help and assistance with library resources. Come by and work with staff on: basic computer skills, ereaders and mobile devices, web searching, email, library resources (Overdrive, Gale Databases, Ancestry.com, and more). A full list of dates can be found here.
Thursday, July 25, 6: p.m.: Summer Concert on the Library Lawn
Featuring Smokin’ Joe and Barry Mooney! Bring your own chair or blanket and enjoy the music with us. A great event suitable for the whole family.
Teens and Tweens
Thursday, July 11, 11:30 a.m. : Astronaut Training
Drop in to the Children’s Room between 11:30 and 1:00 to go through our specialized astronaut training and earn your certificate!
Tuesday, July 16, 3 p.m. : Apollo 11 Anniversary Rocket Launch
Commemorate the anniversary of the rocket. Join us as we launch rockets of our own.
Thursday, July 18, 11:30 a.m.: Marvel Trivia
How well do you know your Marvel trivia? Stop by the library and prove your mettle at a chance to win prizes!
Thursday, July 25, 11:30 a.m. : Teen Zone Art Program
Help us decorate the Teen Zone by attending this program and showing off your artistic skills! (Entering grade 6 and above.)
Kids
Monday, July 15, 22 and 29, 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Craft Time
Toddlers can join us every Monday for a craft project.
Tuesday, July 16, 23 and 30, 3 p.m. : Kids Create Club
A hands-on activity time for children on Tuesdays after-school. Open to grades 3-6.
Wednesday, July 17, 24 and 31, 10:30 a.m.: Little Wiggles
Clap your hands, stomp your feet & wiggle with the beat! This is a high-energy music and movement program where your children will be wiggling and giggling throughout. Ages 2-5 years.
Friday, July 12, 19, and 26, 10:30 a.m. : Storytime – Infants & Toddlers and Friday, July 12, 19, and 26, 11:30 a.m. : Storytime – Preschoolers
Storytime is every Friday in the Children’s Room.
Thursday, July 11, 11:30 a.m. : Astronaut Training
Drop in to the Children’s Room between 11:30 and 1:00 to go through our specialized astronaut training and earn your certificate!
Tuesday, July 16, 3 p.m. : Apollo 11 Anniversary Rocket Launch
Commemorate the anniversary of the rocket. Join us as we launch rockets of our own.
Tuesday, July 23, 12 p.m. : Storytime on the Ferry
Storytime on the Winthrop Ferry! Space is limited. Check back for more details.
Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m.: Summer Concert on the Library Lawn
Featuring Smokin’ Joe and Barry Mooney! Bring your own chair or blanket and enjoy the music with us. A great event suitable for the whole family.