Photo by Isabell Macrina
It’s not just for kids! Teens and adults have a chance to win a free book from the wheel too
By Isabell Macrina
Hometown Weekly Reporter
As the summer draws to a close, a lot of children dread going back to school. Some are apprehensive about reading, especially in the early years of education when they are still learning how. Needham Free Public Library (NFPL) aims to encourage an interest in reading beyond the traditional school year, so they held their annual End of Summer Reading Celebration.
Every year they do the program for kids and adults, wanting them to enjoy reading beyond the obligation of it in school. The program has people bring in their reading tracking sheets from the summer, and thanks to Fidelity Bank providing the Frosty Flyer ice cream truck, which meant free ice cream for everyone, and the prize wheel on the table for people to spin, the crowd came in storms.
Young Adult Librarian Erin Bassett was more than happy to talk about the program. “Every summer has a theme, and this year was games.” She explained. It is a way to bring families to the library outside of the school year. “The children’s department put together a Dragon trading card game and we had people join it, trade them, it was fun to see them so excited.”
Over one thousand kids signed up for the summer, according to the Library Director Rob MacLean; “When turning the amount of books they’ve read into distance, they’ve read themselves to the Moon and back.” This event is to celebrate that, to recognize the great work they’ve done and the fun they’ve had with reading over the summer.
The Frosty Flyer truck brought ice cream bars for everyone. The Fidelity Bank representatives were happy to be there, handing out flyers and encouraging people to get ice cream. “It’s a great way to connect with the community, and we are a community bank.” One said with a grin.
With the prize wheel having options like stickers, gift cards, a free book, or candy, and the ice cream right next to the library, it really felt like a celebration. The local library is a great place for activities, to bring the kids, and it truly wants to encourage them and spark a love of reading in all.
