Oxford Lane Library has been preparing for its version of summer camp, “Camp Lane,” which encompasses programs it will host over the next three months, as well as its annual Summer Reading Adventure (SRA).
Also known as the Summer Reading Challenge, the SRA takes place June 1 to Aug. 1 and is for all ages. Those interested can register for an account now and begin logging their readings June 1. Participants can choose their SRA from a list of challenges and track their reading process while completing missions for prizes.
The goal of the SRA is to avoid the “summer slide” kids often experience, which is a decline in reading skills over the three months due to not having school-mandated readings. It tries to avoid this by allowing kids to read books that interest them instead of ones required for a curriculum, said Rebecca Smith, Branch Manager of Oxford Lane Library.
“We don’t want it to be school-like, we want it to be fun and engaging and encouraging, and they get to read whatever they want, whereas [in] school, they do have to read within the curriculum,” Smith said.
Carrie Mancuso, the public relations manager for the Lane Library system, said it’s the library’s sneaky way of helping youth grow these skills during this time.
“We do our best to make it fun and put a challenge in there for people so that they have something to work toward and they have prizes to work for,” Mancuso said.
The incentives are different for kids and teens versus adults. A kid or teen who reads for 20 minutes earns 20 points, and once they reach 200 and 400 points, they can select a book or item from the library’s treasure chest. Adults earn 100 points for every 100 pages they read. At 200 points, they can select a book and a coupon for various businesses, such as LaRosa’s Pizzeria.
For all ages, every 100 points they earn after reaching 400 will earn them a raffle ticket for prize drawings at the end of summer parties. The first round of youth winners will be announced at the end of June, and the second round for all ages during the first week of August.
Prizes for adults include gift cards to places like Dunkin’ Donuts and Flub’s Ice Cream. Other gifts include camping-themed items such as sleeping bags, sling backpacks and pickleball packs. Prizes for youth include wireless earbuds, Stanley cups and Hello Kitty stationery.
To view the full list of prizes, participants can log into Beanstack and click on “Ticket Drawings.” Ticketed prizes are limited, so not everyone is guaranteed one.
Oxford Lane Library also hosts a variety of free summer events for all ages. It has numerous programs because residents, especially kids, will have more availability in their schedules.
Smith said she is excited for multiple events, such as the annual “Stuffed Animal Sleepover,” the new “Teddy Bear Picnic” and a two-part series called “STEM in the Natural World” for kids.
The library will launch a new partnership with 7 Wonders Farms over the summer with its first event. “Story Time at the Farm,” where kids can hear a farm-themed story and pick their own crops. This event will be hosted twice; 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 23, kids can pick flowers and at the same time June 21, kids can pick vegetables. More events hosted at 7 Wonders will follow, with a “Pizza Party at the Farm” happening 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 22 for teens.
Teen events that Smith said she wants to highlight are “Nerf Night,” “Basic Car Maintenance” and the end-of-summer reading party, “Bug Mania!” She said there will also be four “Teen Art Afternoons,” where ages 12-18 can interact with local artists and learn a variety of art skills. This will take place at the same time – 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – on four different dates; June 14 (knitting with Genevieve O’Malley Knight), June 17 (printmaking with Lauren Butts), June 24 (kindness cards with Katy Abbott) and July 10 (hand stitching and embroidery with Amy Bartel).
Adult events that Smith said she is looking forward to are the “Maker Social Clubs,” “Raising Backyard Chickens” and “Pet CPR Basics.” Smith also said four adult book clubs will meet over the summer.
One event for all ages is the new “Piano Marathon.” The idea for this event came when a piano was donated to Oxford Lane Library. Starting June 6, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Friday, people can sign up for 10-minute time slots and play in the lobby. Anyone interested can call 513-523-7531 to register.
Smith said the goal with its summer programming is to give both youth and adults the opportunity to have fun with their community in the library space, in hopes they’ll keep coming back. Smith said she noticed that the library has become a place for the community to gather and that adults are really interested in attending events.
“We’re trying to offer a really nice variety to give them something to do, and to get them into our space, to show them what we have,” Smith said.
If you’re looking for something fun to do this summer, Mancuso said people should “remember your public library,” as Oxford residents are often surprised to see what fun and free programming the library offers.
“We just want everybody, all ages, to remember to look to their public library this summer for entertainment and enjoyment and things to keep their whole family busy, because we’ve got it here and we have a lot of fun during the summer,” Mancuso said.
To learn more about summer programs at Oxford Lane Library, you can check out the summer programs calendar or look at the library’s website.
