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By Daniel Curtin
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Families flocked to the Wellesley Library to celebrate the end of summer - and to enjoy delicious ice cream and fun activities - last Friday afternoon. The Wellesley Library held its third annual end-of-summer ice cream social to celebrate the reading kids had done over the past months as part of the summer reading program.
Children’s librarians helped serve ice cream to the families in attendance and also helped run fun activities, like face painting, a rainbow parachute where kids could toss toy sea animals up in the air, and giant bubbles. The library also boasted a photo booth where kids could take pictures with zany hats, including one that looked like a giant ice cream and another in the shape of a squid.
Quincy Knapp, one of the children's librarians, enjoyed the festive atmosphere.
“I think it is a really wonderful way to wrap up the summer on a high note and right before school a really great social gathering to bring the community together,” Knapp said.
“The kids are having a very fun time today,” said Ruchika Jaggi, who was at the event with her two young daughters. Jaggi’s older daughter likes reading comics, and has and read more than 100 books this summer. “It is a good, friendly environment. The kids get to know each other and they get to learn.”
Ellen Hallor was enjoying some cookie dough ice cream with her grandkids, who are very eager summer readers. Hallor believes the library has done a wonderful job with programing and getting the young ones excited about reading.
“It’s really great, because the [different] genre reading has really stretched them a little bit. It has given them some new areas to explore. Reading is really everything,” Hallor said.
Emma Weiler, the head of the Children's Department, is always happy to show just how many programs the library provides - whether it be English lessons, movies, or different STEAM activities.
“For me, I just love the chance to see everybody all at the same time,” Weiler said as she watched over the smiling ice cream party participants. “One of the things I like about being a children’s librarian is watching the kids grow up.”
