Summer Reading 2022!
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Welcome!
Summer Reading this year has a theme of Oceans of Possibilities.
This year, we are inviting you to come visit and enjoy our lineup of speakers and presenters IN PERSON.
Summer Reading kicked off on June 14th. Summer Reading Packets include a reading log, activities, a schedule of events, bingo card, book jar instructions, suggested reading lists for all ages, and other fun! You can sign up for a packet in-person or online.
This season we are happy to return to in-person programming as part of our Summer Reading. We have four fantastic presenters lined up, and hope to see you there.
Our last program:
We will be wrapping up our presentations with a true treat. On Friday, July 29th, the Blue Ocean Society will pay us a visit with Ladder, The Life-Sized Whale. Ladder is modeled after a real-life fin whale that was studied for years. Blue Ocean memorialized Ladder by creating a life-sized (65-foot long) inflatable recreation of Ladder. Guests can walk inside and see how a whale works, inside and out. Due to COVID-19 safety and expected interest, this will be a ticketed event. This event will be held at the Newbegin Gym. There will be four (4)- 30 minutes sessions, with 20 people allowed per session. So tickets are limited, please call to make your reservation today!
Many thanks to the Gray Public Library Association for funding all of the amazing adventures we will have during Summer Reading. To stay updated with our events and offerings, you can subscribe to our email list, check out Facebook page, or visit the library as much as you can!
Happy summer - it's great to see you again.
Kids' Stuff
Summer Reading Events
29 JULY
FRI.
10:00 am - 12:00 Blue Ocean: 65' Whale- This will be held at Newbegin Gym
This will be a ticketed event, limited to 20 persons per 30 minutes.
Please call to reserve your ticket!
We still have space available for 11:00 & 11:30 viewing.
Summer Reading Challenge: Get Outside and Explore!
Maine is full of awesome places to explore nature! Two fun experiences we have come across are the gnome homes at Pride Preserve in Westbrook and the Giant Trolls exhibit at the Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Click on the links for more information!

Take & Make Crafts Return!
We know that our community LOVES our Take-and-Make Craft Kits. So as part of our new tradition, we are planning on having two sets of Take-and-Make Craft Kits available this summer.
We have the first set of Take-and-Make Craft Kits available. Please call or stop by for a kit. Kits are limited.
Book Jars- TIME HAS BEEN EXTENDED-STILL TIME TO ENTER!
Another great chance for everyone to win fun prizes! We are bringing back BOOK JARS! A book jar is a large container that holds clues to the title of a book. For example, if your jar contained clues to Charlotte's Web, you can include a plastic pig, a plastic spider, and a blue ribbon. We will display the jars and patrons will guess the title of the book in the jar.
If you would like to create a book jar for our book jar display, please bring your book jar to be included by July 30th. The theme of the summer reading program is Oceans of Possibilities, so we are asking all book jar creators to select a book title that falls within that theme. If you need assistance finding a title, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. All book jar creators will receive a prize! Click here for more information on creating a book jar.
Book jars will be turned in to display at the library starting July 30th. We will display the book jars for two weeks to give everyone a chance to view the jars and make their best guess. A drawing for prizes will be at the end August 20th.


Reading BINGO
This year we are challenging the kids to read something different! We have Reading BINGO cards for children. For each BINGO you achieve, you receive an entry into our summer reading raffle! Contact the library or bring your BINGO card in to receive a raffle entry. Each child can enter more than once so get reading! All entries must be received by Saturday, July 31. Drawings will be the first week of August.
Story Walk
We will be showcasing wonderful stories on our Story Walks this year. Each story will be up for a few weeks. Find them on the side lawn at the library!
Book Jars at the Library
Take a guess at what book is in the jar and you could win a prize! See below for more information.
Need reading recommendations? Find the a printable copy of the Chickadee winners here and the Maine Student Book Award winners here. Happy reading!
Other Activities