2013 Summer Reading Programs

**All programs are sponsored in part by the Friends of the Wateford Library**

The Summer Reading Book Club:

Sign-up begins Monday, June 17th.  The reading program is open to all students ages 3-12.  Stop by the children’s department to register for the book club.  Upon registration you will receive a bookmark, reading record, stickers, and a pencil.  You may choose how many books, chapters, or minutes a day that you would like to read over the six-week period.

 When you have met your reading goal, you will receive a free paperback book, a pass to the pools at the Waterford high schools, and coupons for free items at local businesses.  All students who complete their reading goals by Wednesday, July 31 will be entered into our drawing.  You might win some books, gift cards, book bags, t-shirts, games, craft kits, passes to local fun stops, or other cool stuff.

If you don’t finish by July 31, keep on reading.  We will distribute prizes through Labor Day Weekend.

The Summer Reading Activities:

Special Events

What Do You “Dig” about Summer?
This spring, the library launched the “What Do You Geek?” program in order to reach out to our patrons, residents, and community to make them think about what people, places, and things that they are absolutely crazy about.  Crazy in a good way. J  This summer, we are asking our young patrons “what do you ‘dig’ about summer?”  Is it no school, sleeping in, swimming, playing ball, the wave pool opening up, catching fireflies, or wearing flip-flops?  The possibilities are endless.  Fill out a “In the Summer, I Dig ______” card and we’ll post them on our bulletin board.

Spirit of ’76 Week: July 1-3
It’s the “Spirit of ’76” Week at the Waterford Library.  As in 1776.  As we celebrate our country’s 237th birthday, stop by the library to make a special patriotic craft to help you enjoy your Fourth of July holiday.  The craft room will be open 10:00a - 4:00p.
We will also be showing the 1957 classic movie Johnny Tremain (and the Sons of Liberty) on Tuesday, July 2, from 2:00-3:30p in the community room.

Sidewalk Chalk Art
Wednesday, July 31 – 10:00a-11:00a (rain date: Thurs, Aug. 1) – For All Ages!
Come and draw a masterpiece on the sidewalk along the library.  We’ll provide the chalk.  You provide your imagination.  Dress for hot, sunny weather, and don’t forget the sunscreen.  Parents must stay with their children.  No registration required.  Just Come!

Tail Wagging Tutors
The Waterford Library Children’s Dept. is hoping to start up a “Tail Wagging Tutor” program this summer.  Students in grades K-5 who would like to gain confidence in reading aloud will have the opportunity to read to a dog for 15 minutes.  Look for more details to follow in June.

Family Programs featuring Professional Performers
Recommended for ages 5 and up.
These programs will be held in the library’s community room.  Registration begins one week prior to each program date.  Because of the large number of people in attendance, we cannot accommodate strollers, and children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.  Out of courtesy for the performers and other participants, please arrive on time.

Exotic Zoo – Monday, June 17 – 10:00a–11:00a – A live show featuring of various land animals that live above and below the ground.
Registration begins Monday, June 10  Click here to register

Our Earth: Can You Dig It? – Tuesday, June 25 – 2:00p-3:00p – Naturalist Dan Keto from the Kalamazoo Nature Center digs deep.  Meet earthworms, roly-poly bugs, and their “dirty” friends.  Learn how they survive deep in the earth.
Registration begins Tuesday, June 18  Click here to register

The Treasure of Capt. Diggory Piper, Pirate – Wednesday, July 10 – 10:30a-11:30a – What if you found out that a family member had been a pirate?  Look for his treasure of course!  Join us for a Renaissance musical that tells the story of buccaneers and digging for treasure.
Registration begins Wednesday, July 3  Click here to register

Journey to the Center of the Earth – Tuesday, July 16 – 10:30a-11:15a – Pippin Puppets brings the Jules Verne classic novel to life in a live puppet show featuring dinosaurs, volcanoes, and more.
Registration begins Tuesday, July 9  Click here to register

Dig Into Reading Magic Show – Tuesday, July 23 – 10:00a-10:45a – Baffling Bill the Magician returns with Gus the Bunny to show our young audience how to find hidden treasure by “digging into reading”.
Registration begins Tuesday, July 16  Click here to register

Paleo Joe: Dinosaur Hunter – Monday, July 29 – 10:00a-11:00a – Paleontologist, children’s author, fossil finder, and storyteller: Paleo Joe will be bringing a little bit of everything.
Registration begins Mon., July 22  Click here to register

Story and Craft Programs
We are offering a variety of programs for children ages 3-12 with lots of crafts, stories, and other related activities.  We are unable to accommodate large groups, such as daycares, in our small craft programs.  All programs are free, but due to limited space, programs require registration.  You can register for programs online, by phone, or in person in the Children’s Department. 

Programs for Ages 3-5
Programs for this age group are 45 minutes long.  Registration begins one week prior to each program.  We are offering two sessions for each program.  Just sign up for one session. 

Dinosaur Dig - Tuesday, June 18 – 10:00a-10:45a or 11:15a-12:00p - Explore the world of dinosaurs with stories and hands-on activities.  You could get messy, so wear some old clothes.
Registration begins Tuesday, June 1
Click here to register for 10:00 or here to register for 11:15

Pet Rock – Monday, June 24 – 10:00a-10:45a or 11:15a-12:00p - Why should critters with fur, feathers, and scales get all the attention?  We will be reading stories about famous and strange pets, and you will be “adopting” your own pet rock.  Painting is involved, so wear some old clothes.
Registration begins Monday, June 17
Click here to register for 10:00 or here to register for 11:15

Vivacious Varmints – Thursday, July 11 – 10:00a-10:45a or 11:15-12:00p - Learn about animals that make their homes underground.  We’ll be making a peek-a-boo bunny.
Registration begins Wednesday, July 3
Click here to register for 10:00 or here to register for 11:15

Out in the Garden – Wednesday, July 24 – 10:00a-10:45a or 11:15a-12:00p - Dig into stories, rock with rhymes, move to the music, and create crafts about gardening.
Registration begins Wednesday, July 17
Click here to register for 10:00 or here to register for 11:15

Programs for Ages 6-8
Programs for this age group are one hour long.  Registration begins one week prior to each program.  We are offering two sessions for each program.  Just sign up for one session.

Digging for Fossils - Wednesday, June 19 – 10:00a-11:00a or 11:30a-12:30p – Enjoy a few Triassic tales as we learn how paleontologists find fossils.  You will create your own fossil with sand, glue, and dried pasta.
Registration begins Wednesday, June 12
Click here to register for 10:00 or here to register for 11:30

Prairie Dog Day – Thursday, June 27 – 10:00a-11:00a or 11:30a-12:30p - Prairie dogs are important to the ecology of the Great Plains. Learn more about them and make your own pom-pom prairie dog.
Registration begins Thursday, June 20
Click here to register for 10:00 or here to register for 11:30

Cool Caves – Monday, July 15 – 10:00a-11:00a or 11:30a-12:30p - Explore caves, caverns, and canyons.  Learn how nature “digs” into rocks and soil.
Registration begins Monday, July 8
Click here to register for 10:00 or here to register for 11:30

Buried Treasure – Thursday, July 25 – 10:00a-11:00a or 11:30a-12:30p – Come and hear stories about pirates and then make a treasure bottle toy.
Registration begins Thursday, July 18
Click here to register for 10:00 or here to register for 11:30

Programs for Ages 9-12
Programs for this age group are one hour long.  Registration begins one week prior to each program.  If the 10:00 am slot fills up, we will open another session at 11:30 am.

Indiana Jones, Archeologist – Thursday, June 20 - 10:00a-11:30p - Enjoy an episode of the classic television series “Young Indiana Jones Chronicles”, play tug-of-war, and make your own binoculars.  Note: this program is 1½ hours long and will be held in the community room.
Registration begins Thursday, June 13  Click here to register

Dig Into the Past – Tuesday, July 9 – 10:00a-11:00a - Learn how archeologists find clues, solve history mysteries, and discover our hidden past.
Registration begins Tuesday, July 2  Click here to register

Michigan Rocks! – Wednesday, July 17 – 10:00a-11:00a - Our state has a lot of rocks thanks to the Ice Age.  Learn about the natural rocks, minerals, and gems of Michigan.  Students will learn how to polish rocks using water, sandpaper, and elbow grease.
Registration begins Wednesday, July 10  Click here to register

Treasure Hunter – Monday, July 22 – 10:00a-11:00a - Come on a scavenger treasure hunt at the library.  “Dig” into the stacks and earn some prizes.
Registration begins Monday, July 15  Click here to register

Matinee Movies

 Enjoy a family movie in our Community Room.  All movies are rated G or PG, will begin at 2:00 p.m., and run 1.5 to 2 hours long.  Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.  Popcorn will be provided.  You may bring your own snacks, covered drinks, pillows, blankets, etc.  Please, no peanuts.  Unfortunately, our movie license company will only allow us to advertise the titles in-house, so instead we have listed hints below.  Can you solve them? The real title list is available in the Children's Department.  

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Group Tours and School Visits:  Schools, daycares, scout groups, and other community organizations are encouraged to bring their classes  to the library for a visit. Please call (248) 618-7692 to schedule your class visit.  A children’s librarian will provide age-appropriate activities for your group such as storytimes, booktalks, library skills instruction, and tours. Your group of children may receive library cards if they are Waterford residents or attend Waterford Schools.  Library card applications are required to be completed by the children's parents and returned to the library one week prior to the class visit.  The staff is unable to process 20+ applications on the day of your visit.

 Arrangements can be made for a children's librarian to come and visit your school or daycare facility.  We will do our best to accommodate the teachers' requests.  Please schedule all school visits in advance.

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Our Summer Sponsors

The children’s department would like to thank the following sponsors for donating prizes to the Summer Reading Program: