Reading programs gear up at FM Library

Posted

Residents can use Beanstack to track reading minutes

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - If you enjoy a book on the back patio or the porch swing, then the Fort Madison Public Library wants to reward you for your time escaping, even if you listen to audio books.

The library's summer reading program kicks off May 31, but Fort Madison Public Library director Sarah Clendineng said there's plenty more planned for the summer.

Clendineng spoke at Fort Madison Kiwanis' Monday lunch meeting and said the library is making it easier than ever to get rewarded for reading, including the year-long Beanstack tracking app.

The app requires a simple registration with a username and password on Beanstack Tracker by Zoobean, however you don't need to use the app if you don't have the tech or the gumption to stay connected.

CLENDINENG

"If you don't want to do that app or tracking we have ways of doing it for you. We're not going to force anyone to use that especially since there may still be people who don't have a phone that can do that or a computer at home," Clendineng said.

She said you can track reading minutes at home and then claim prizes all at once. You can present your minutes read to library staff for prizes.

Registration for the summer reading program begins May 31 and the first 50 kids to register will receive a velvet coloring poster, reading record, crayons, and a lanyard to hold buttons that are being offered this year.

"For the kids and teens, we're doing something a little different this year. We're going to be handing out buttons. So for every 120 minutes you read, you get a button. If you attend at least one activity a week, you get a button and then once you collect enough buttons, you can claim prizes," she said.

For little readers, stickers will be handed out instead of buttons, and those can be used the same as buttons.

For adults, punch cards will be available and for each visit to the library, you can get your card punched. Once you get five punches, you are eligible for entries into drawings for three gift baskets. One entry is received for every punch card completed.

The gift baskets are themed around reading, bird watching, and ice cream.

"The bird watcher may be my favorite as it comes with a bird puzzle, a really nice bird feeder which is really easy to clean, and food."

Other adult programs for the summer include Walk and Talk Saturdays, book discussion gatherings around the community and county, a Paint-and-Sip event on June 28 at 5:30, and magician Duffy Hudson on July 13th at 2 p.m.

An Escape The Campsite event will be held July 7-9, while Minecraft Summer is held Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 7-July 5. Thursday Crafternoons will be held June 2-July 14th for ages 14 to adult.

The regular Cook the Book and All Booked Up! programs continue weekly on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m., and the 1st Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m., respectively.

app, Beanstack, events, Fort Madison Public Library, Local, news, Pen City Current, prizes, programs, reader, summer reading

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here