The Scarborough Public Library is kicking off its Youth Summer Reading Program with Tuneful Tales, a live kickoff event, at Memorial Park on Tuesday, June 22 at 6 pm with a rain date of Wednesday, June 23 at 6 p.m. Jennifer Armstrong, a professional musician and storyteller from Belfast, will delight the audience with songs and stories to inspire a summer of exploration and reading. Tuneful Tales is free and open to the public. Masks are required because children under age 12 are not vaccinated. Support from the Friends of Scarborough Library, who have a long and strong history of supporting summer reading each year, have made this summer’s live kickoff event possible

Families can begin registering for the Youth Summer Reading Program starting Monday, June 14. Come into the Library to fill out a registration form and receive the 2021 Summer Reading Log.

If you cannot come into the Library, you can sign up online at www.scarboroughlibrary.org/youth. Registrants will receive a link to print the Reading Log.

The Reading Log is used to keep track of books kids have read to themselves, books someone has read to them, or books kids have read to someone else. The Youth Services team has designed the Reading Log not only to encourage children to explore new and different genres as they read, but have included many activities to keep children curious and active during the summer months. Perhaps they can learn to be a spy with our Spy Activities?

The Youth Services Department strongly believes that reading during the summer should be enjoyable. We encourage parents to help children set a realistic goal. A feeling of “I Can Do It” creates an atmosphere of celebration…and fun! We want children to LOVE reading and look forward to visiting the Scarborough Public Library.

Young people can read as many (or as few) books as they like. Children are encouraged to set their own goal. They can count the number of books read or minutes or pages. Whatever works for each individual. Print books, ebooks, magazines, audiobooks, all count. Members of the Youth Services staff look forward to seeing children and families at the Library this summer. Mrs. C. (Louise Capizzo), Connie, and Jaclyn are ready to help children, youth, and families find just the right Library materials to delight, educate, and entertain.