Programming and Outreach
- Teen programs: 8
- Teen attendance: 300
- Teen room attendance: 209
- Teen Volunteer hours: 148
- Children’s programs: 104
- Children’s Attendance: 1,863
Unearth a Story has begun. In the first 12 days, over 600 kids and 75 teens signed up for the summer reading program. This is a huge jump compared to 2025. In May and June, the librarians completed 101 school visits, seeing over 2,000 students; they worked so hard, and it is paying off in increased participation.
Kristine also provided books in Spanish with summer reading information to the English as a New Language (ENL) classes.
Summer kicked off with two big dinosaur programs for kids and a special visit from Saratoga Clay Arts, who even brought actual pottery wheels. Patrons seem really happy to be back and ready for a fun summer.
AnnaRae started the summer with a scavenger hunt, and about 350 kids have participated (this does not even count the parents and caregivers who searched along with them).
The added baby story time was extremely popular - it was worth the extra time. Saturdays have also been drawing a nice crowd.
The annual teen lock-in was during Belmont weekend, so the outside of the library matched the excitement inside. It was possibly the best one yet, and teens had a great time making slime, playing games, running around the stacks in the dark, and eating all the snacks. Special thanks to Dan and AnnaRae for working so late and to Jess and the cleaners who worked around everyone.
Summer teen volunteers had their informational meeting and have already begun their volunteer work. AnnaRae limits the number of teens that she takes based on the amount of work available.
AnnaRae visited Pride Fest with Sarah and Jen O. from Access and Outreach Services (AOS); she said they handed out so many free books!
Take-and-Makes have been very popular recently - many patrons who do not regularly come to programs have been stopping by. The teen Candy Sushi is ever popular, and Alex has been putting out over 100 for kids every month.
Updates and Projects
The BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) interns completed another school year. They seem unlikely to be returning next year due to changes in their program, but we remain open to having them again. They do a variety of projects, from preparations for crafts to cleaning books and toys, as well as some light dusting.
Getting ready for summer reading and keeping things neat and tidy have been the biggest projects.
Collections and Displays
June’s teen book displays were “Once Upon a Pride,” and “Not Another Straight Story” for Pride Month and the Teen Advisory Board display “June Journals.”
Kid’s displays-summer reading, Pollinators, World Cup, Horse Racing, Flag Day, Independence Day, Dinosaurs, Pride, Father’s Day, Juneteenth and author spotlights for Deborah Underwood and Sally Lloyd Jones.
The bulletin boards are all promoting summer reading – both the program itself and the programming.
Continuing Education
AnnaRae continues to serve on the Youth Services Section (YSS) Scholarship Committee.
Kristine will be presenting at the end of August about the library’s work on decodables.
What We’re Reading
- AnnaRae is reading Before We Wake by Sophia Glock
- Alex is reading Phoenix (Ride On #1) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
- Kristine is reading Pony by R.J. Palacio
Respectfully submitted by Catherine Brenner, Head of Youth Services