Category Archives: Reading Challenge

Updates on the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge and similar programs.

This summer Clark Memorial Library is hosting a special raffle just for adult readers, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For each book you read (or listen to) this summer, fill out a raffle slip with the title of the book, your name, and a phone number or email address for a chance to win one of two “Enchanted iPad Packages” – each includes an iPad, a case, wireless earphones, and two hours of instruction (at your convenience) from a Library staff member to get you started setting up the device and learning how to download ebooks and audiobooks using the Library’s apps.

We encourage reading and entering multiple times! Names will be drawn in late August.

Raffle slips are available in the Friends of the Library nook at the bottom of the main staircase, and can be filled out and submitted digitally here. The raffle slip link will also be available on the homepage of our website, or you can simply email the necessary information directly to the Library at ClarkMain@BethanyLibrary.org.

Our Children’s Room has been transformed for our Summer Reading Program – Spellbound: The Enchantment of Reading! Watch the video below to catch a glimpse of all the “spellbinding” decorations our staff have put together.

The Summer Reading Kickoff will take place June 14th. Stop by to pick up a Summer Reading chart, a Read & Bead necklace chain, and a goodie bag, and keep an eye on the Event Calendar for upcoming activities and programs!

Join us for the start of the Library’s Summer Reading Program on June 14th!

Sign up for our Read & Bead program, which will run throughout the summer during Library hours, and you’ll get a necklace chain, a Read & Bead chart, and while supplies last, a “Bag of Enchantment” with fun goodies inside!

Check off a box on the Read & Bead chart for every 20 minutes of reading you do over the summer. You’ll earn one bead or charm to add to your necklace for each checked-off box – as well as a leaf with your name on it to add to our Summer Reading Trees. For every 200 minutes of reading (10 checked-off boxes), you’ll also be able to add a fantasy creature to the Trees!

Your reading time for Read & Bead can also be counted towards the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, if you’re taking part in that program as well.

By the end of the summer, we hope that all of our participants will have amazing personalized necklaces to show off, and our Summer Reading Trees will be bursting with life!

1000 Books Celebration
Wednesday August 14 | 10:30 AM | Ages 0-5

Come celebrate your journey to 1000 books! Take a look at our new themed book bags, collect reward stickers for each 100 books you complete – and get ready to read, read, read in the upcoming year.

Not signed up for the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program yet? No problem, sign up and get started at the celebration!

Adventure Begins At Your Library!
Coming Up In August:

Special Events
Balloon Animal Workshop – August 10, 2–3:30 PM (sign-up required)
1000 Books Celebration – August 14, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Kim Ahrens Artist Reception – August 24, 1:00–3:00 PM

Ongoing Programs
Read & Bead – All Month, During Library Hours
Adult Reading Raffle – All Month, During Library Hours
Drop-In Makerspace Activities – All Month, During Library Hours
Silent Book Club – August 13, 2:00–3:30 PM
Wednesday Morning Storytimes – Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30 AM
BCS Lego Club – Wednesdays, 2:00–4:00 PM
Warm Up America Community Service Project – Thursdays, 3:00–5:00 PM
Thursday Game Nights – Thursdays, 3:30–6:30 PM

For more information, see our Calendar of Events!

Adventure Begins At Your Library!
Coming Up In July:

Special Events
Dragon Eye Adventure – July 18, 3:00–5:00 PM (sign-up required)
5th Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit – July 28, 1:00–5:00 PM

Ongoing Programs
Read & Bead – All Month, During Library Hours
Adult Reading Raffle – All Month, During Library Hours
Drop-In Makerspace Activities – All Month, During Library Hours
Tween Nutmeg Book Club – July 11, 5:45–6:30 PM
Silent Book Club – July 9, 2:00–3:30 PM
Wednesday Morning Storytimes – Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30 AM
BCS Lego Club – Wednesdays, 2:00–4:00 PM
Warm Up America Community Service Project – Thursdays, 3:00–5:00 PM
Thursday Game Nights – Thursdays, 3:30–6:30 PM

For more information, see our Calendar of Events!

Adventure Begins At Your Library!
Coming Up In June:

Special Events
Summer Reading Kickoff – June 8, During Library Hours
What’s the Buzz: Pollinator Presentation – June 8, 2:00–2:30 PM
Karen Cebula Artist Reception – June 15, 2:00–3:30 PM
Campfire Storytime – June 20, 5:30–6:30 PM

Ongoing Programs
Read & Bead – All Month, During Library Hours
Adult Reading Raffle – All Month, During Library Hours
Drop-In Makerspace Activities – All Month, During Library Hours
Tween Nutmeg Book Club – June 13 & 27, 5:45–6:30 PM
Silent Book Club – June 11, 2:00–3:30 PM
Wednesday Morning Storytimes – Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30 AM
BCS Lego Club – Wednesdays, 2:00–4:00 PM
Warm Up America Community Service Project – Thursdays, 3:00–5:00 PM
Thursday Game Nights – Thursdays, 3:30–6:30 PM

For more information, see our Calendar of Events!

Welcome to the Tween Nutmeg Book Club at Clark Memorial Library!
 
If you are between the ages of 9-13, we hope you can join us as we explore the 2025 Nutmeg Book Award Intermediate Nominees. Meetings will be held June 13, June 27, and July 11 from 5:45-6:30 PM in the Library. Read 1-2 books (or more!) from the list of ten and then share what you loved, hated, or need more of!
 
We will choose books at our first meeting, and discuss them at the second and third. Come to one or all three dates! For more information, contact the Library at (203) 393-2103.

The Library will be kicking off its Summer Reading Program on June 8th!

Young patrons can take part in our Read & Bead program, which will run throughout the summer during Library hours. Pick up a Read & Bead Chart in the Children’s Room and check off a box for each 20 minutes of reading you do over the summer. You’ll earn one bead or charm for each checked-off box on the chart – by the time summer is over, you’ll have an amazing personalized necklace celebrating your reading achievements!

The Library will also be providing Reading Journals for the CT Reads! Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge. You can count your summer reading time towards both the challenge and your Read & Bead Chart!

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents” – Emilie Buchwald

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national early literacy program for parents and caregivers to take part in with their young children. The goal is to read 1000 books aloud to your child before they start kindergarten, helping them gain the confidence to become strong readers and successful in school and life.

Is it possible to read 1000 books? Yes it is! Reading 3 books a day for 1 year = 1095 books, reading 1 book a day for 3 years = 1095 books — and repeat reads do count towards the total! Clark Memorial Library’s goal is to develop a program that supports young families by providing incentives and materials to help reach their reading goals — including special 1000 Books Before Kindergarten book-bags containing a curated selection of award-winning children’s books.

Stop by the Library starting January 31st and sign up to get started! You will receive an Activity Journal to keep track of your progress and a pamphlet that provides more information about the program and the benefits of early literacy. When you reach a reading milestone, drop in again to have your journal marked and get a special sticker!