Newsletter: Notes from the Librarian

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The 2008 Summer Reading Program is over and what a huge success it was! Once again we need to thank the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library for their financial support that allows us to run such an exceptional program for the children of Thomaston.

Over 250 children registered for the program and together they read over 3,000 books!
Now that’s something to celebrate!

This year the program was designed around the theme “Monsters & Myths: Read Your Way up Mount Olympus”. The theme was chosen to compliment the Summer Olympic Games in China, and to capitalize on the interests of many young children. Greek Mythology is a high interest topic with the young crowd these days so the Children’s Librarians knew the subject would guarantee plenty of participation.

The main purpose of the Summer Reading Program is to keep students reading during the summer months to prevent them from losing skills just learned at school. It has been proven that some students can loose up to one grade level by not practicing their reading in the summer. Programs such as these that are held in many communities statewide keep kids reading and will ensure they enter school at grade level in the fall.

Various programs and crafts were offered all summer that focused on the myths of the Greeks. There was even a writer’s workshop that taught children how to write their own myths.

One particularly successful program of the summer was the Greek play that was written, directed and acted by students. Audience members were taught the various Greek Gods and how they related to one another.

The Summer Program was completed with a “Feast of the Gods” grand finale that brought all participants together for lunch and entertainment. Prizes were raffled and the lucky winners were rewarded with books and other reading themed gifts. The Sunshine Band of Thomaston entertained the crowd with songs, dances, and plenty of fun and jokes.

The staff of the Thomaston Public Library would like to thank all of the wonderful volunteers that helped to make the program a success. They are truly too many to list but we want them to know how much we value their help. They cooked, planned and supervised crafts, and cheerfully contributed wherever they were needed.

Thank you for all your hard work. We could not have done it without you and we hope to see you for summer 2009!

Debra Radosevich,
Librarian

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