Peninsula Public Library in Lawrence announces children's summer reading program theme

Despite the coronavirus pandemic closing all public libraries on Long Island, Peninsula Public Library in Lawrence will still hold their annual summer reading program.

Children of all ages are invited to register for PPL’s 2020 Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme, Imagine Your Story, encourages children to explore fantasies, fairy tales and mythology that will take them on a journey of discovery through reading.

PPL’s Director Carolynn Matulewicz noted the importance of holding the program this summer.

“The summer may feel different this year, but it is still vital to keep our children reading and learning to make up for the shortened school year to avoid the summer slide,” she said. “We are excited to see what happens when they start imagining their own stories.” The summer slide refers to when younger children’s academic skills and knowledge decline during the two-month school break.

Matulewicz said that in past years, the program has rewarded the top readers in the program with prizes. This year, the total amount of books read among the readers will be tracked. “We changed this up to make it more enjoyable for the kids,” she said. “We don’t want it to be a competition, we just want the kids to enjoy reading.” Last year’s program included roughly 160 children.

The library will be offering online special story times, sing along sessions, puzzles to solve and mysteries to unravel. Badges and certificates will be awarded marking reading milestones. Children or their parents may register online at the http://ppl.ny10.readsquared.com to track the number of books read or time spent reading.

Resident’s can also contact the children’s librarians by email at childrens@peninsula.org to register for the summer program. Reading logs will be available online, can be picked up at the library or mailed.