Like everything else since mid-March, the summer reading program at the Hinsdale Public Library looks a little different than it did last year.
The program, which began earlier this month and continues through July 31, offers a philanthropic incentive for adults to participate.
“We’re in this together!” the library website reads. “Help turn your reading, listening and viewing into assistance for the community.”
Readers are invited to share any five reads, listens or views with the library by sending an email listing the titles to [email protected]. If the library receives 50 entries with five titles, the Friends of the Hinsdale Public Library will donate $200 to HCS Family Services. If readers send in 75 entries, the donation will increase to $300.
Readers can enter as many times as they like — with the added benefit of being entered into a raffle for a gift card to a local business.
Teens and kids can register online to arrange a time to pick up a summer reading challenge kit and then track their reading to earn rewards.
In a typical year, readers would have the opportunity to head over to the library to participate in a variety of interesting, engaging programs. Those programs haven’t gone away, but this year — at least for now — they are offered in an altered format.
Librarians are offering a virtual storytime from 10:30 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday. Fingerplays and music are part of the fun as well.
Middle schoolers and teens will enjoy receiving a surprise title from a genre they’ve selected with the Teen Book Box and Book Box Jr. pickups. The next one is slated for July 17.
Young adults 16 and older with intellectual and development disabilities can participate in a virtual edition of the Next Chapter Book Club from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays.
Adult virtual programs in July include Kitchen Tech (grilling), Hinsdale Bite Club and Novel Tea.
A teen game night and the Maple Street Mixer will keep ’tweens, teens and adults entertained on July 22.
Perhaps the best news of all for those signed up for the summer reading program — and Hinsdaleans in general — is that the library will re-open to the public on Tuesday, July 7. We have few details at this point — other than that there will be limited services and shorter hours — but we will fill you on all the specifics as we learn them.
COVID-19 has changed countless things this summer. One thing it can’t change is the pleasure that comes from reading a good book.
So visit the library’s website at https://www.hinsdalelibrary.info and sign up for the summer reading program before it’s too late.
