Summer Reading Kicks Off with Carnival & Tall Buildings Exhibit

Take a trip around the world at Bernardsville Public Library’s World’s Fair featuring the Bedwell Builders’ Architecture Museum from Wednesday, June 27th to Tuesday, July 3. The Bedwell Builders are an incredible team of 3rd and 4th grade students at Bedwell Elementary School in Bernardsville, who, under the guidance of their teacher, Mr. Allen Thurlow, have recreated scale models of numerous world-famous landmarks and buildings. In addition to a phenomenal display of buildings, bridges and monuments, the exhibit, which opens on Wednesday, June 27th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm, will include carnival booths with games, activities and snack foods. Entrance to the exhibit is free. To help offset the cost of summer programs and support the Library, there is a small fee for the carnival booths (most are 20 cents or less).

Children and teens can begin registering for Bernardsville Library's Summer Reading program on Monday, June 18. Registration continues throughout the summer, but those who register between June 18 and June 27 will receive a free book. Summer Reading Club participants will earn prizes for reading or listening to materials of their choice from books to magazines, comics and more. School assignments count!

It's well known that students can move backward academically during the summer if reading and learning are not continued, and reading achievement declines as well. But if students read just six books over the summer, they can maintain their current reading level, and, if they read between ten and twenty books of their own choosing, they can actually increase reading achievement.

“We recognize the importance of the library in preventing summer slide, and we carefully select programs that provide a critical combination of fun and intellectual challenge,” says Tammy Shaw, Manager of Youth Services. In addition to reading, programs such as Rocket Building, the Code Club, chess lessons, art and music programs, and college prep workshops will keep children and teens thinking and learning throughout the summer.

As always, the Library will be a hub of activity during the summer months. Children and their families will enjoy an expressive drum workshop (July 16); famous juggler and comedian, Jester Jim (July 30); and an interactive electric violin program with musician Caryn Lin (August 15). July 31st is Harry Potter’s birthday, and the Library is throwing him a special party. The party starts at Bernardsville Library which will be reminiscent of Diagon Alley. When the students have gathered all of their supplies, the party will move to platform 9¾ at the Bernardsville train station for photographs, and then on to the Peapack Gladstone Library for wizard initiation, classes at Hogwarts, and, of course, birthday cake for Harry.

There are new programs for the youngest and oldest youth this summer. Try yoga story times for children under five and their caregivers, or linger for toddler play time following the traditional Nursery Time program. On the other end of the spectrum, teens will be entertained with duct tape crafts, soap making, an anime club, and a game night offered in conjunction with the Bearded Dragon.

Bernardsville Library staff know that summer doesn’t end until school begins which is why we continue our Summer Reading Club and offer many activities through August 31st. For a complete listing of these and many other programs, check the library website, www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, the library newsletter, or pick up a Summer Reading calendar for more details. There is no charge to attend Library programs and many programs do not require registration. Call the library at 908-766-0118 for further information or sign up via the library's website.