Summer Reading Program registration open! Big Birthday Bash set for August 15th
From HPL,
The Hornell Public Library is pulling out all the stops this summer, inviting readers of all ages to Unearth a Story: the theme of this year’s highly anticipated Summer Reading Program, running July 1st through August. With an expanded lineup of events, a bold new community outreach initiative, and a milestone birthday celebration on the horizon, this promises to be a summer unlike any other in the Library’s long and distinguished history.
Registration is open now through June 30th, and new participants are always welcome. There is no need to have signed up in advance; simply call or stop by the Library before the deadline to secure your place in what is shaping up to be the community event of the season.
Returning fan favorites include Bubblemania, Benjamin Berry’s Circus Act, Tanglewood, Wildlife Rockstars, Police and Fire Station Tours, and Community Bike Ride Nights, with an expanded slate of Teen and Adult programming added to the lineup this year. The Summer Reading Program is built on a simple but powerful premise: that the skills young and emerging readers work so hard to develop during the school year deserve to be nurtured and celebrated beyond the classroom. The more children read over the summer months, the better equipped they are to hit the ground running when September arrives.
This year, however, the Library is thinking bigger. Director Denise Chilson announced an exciting new initiative that will see the Library extend its reach well beyond its own walls, with a dedicated presence at Thursdays in the Park, beginning Thursday, July 9th. Operating from the Library’s Bookmobile, staff will offer on-site programming, book checkouts, library card sign-ups, and Tech Help, bringing the full range of Library services directly into the heart of the community.
“We are extremely excited to be serving our community at this location,” said Chilson. “We are thrilled to engage with community members who are unfamiliar with the services we provide, while still serving our library superusers.”
It is an initiative that speaks to the Library’s broader mission: to ensure that every member of the Hornell community, regardless of their familiarity with its services, has access to the resources and support they need. Participants of all ages are also eligible to earn prizes based on reading minutes logged and books completed. The incentive is straightforward: the more you read, the greater the reward.
The summer festivities will culminate in a truly landmark occasion. The Hornell Public Library will celebrate its 115th Birthday on Friday, August 14th, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, with a special open house that is open to all. Guests can explore interactive displays charting the Library’s remarkable history, enjoy birthday cake, and raise a toast to an institution that has served generations of Hornell residents. The evening will also carry a forward-looking spirit, with attendees invited to submit a letter to be sealed in a time capsule, not to be opened until 2076.
For a full schedule of summer programming and registration details, visit the Library in person or online at www.hornellpubliclibrary.com. Please note that some programs require advance registration, so early planning is encouraged.
