BELLOWS FALLS — Celebrate the start of the Rockingham Free Public Library's annual summer reading program, “Oceans of Possibilities,” with a kick-off event on Wednesday, July 6. At 5 p.m. visit the library for a live, in-person performance from Modern Times Theater and the 13th annual Stuffed Animal Sleepover.
Back with a brand-new show, Rose and Justin of Modern Times Theater “have updated a classic puppet show full of laughs and music that follows the troubles and travails of puppetry's favorite loudmouth, Mr. Punch. The skillfully operated hand puppets are made of upcycled materials, and are full of surprises and tricks, as is the elaborate stage,” say organizers.
What would your stuffed animal do if it spent the night at the library? Find out by bringing one of yours to the library anytime between Wednesday, June 29, and Wednesday, July 6.
When the library closes on July 6, the stuffed animals will spend the night (not the people). We'll create a video of how your stuffed animal spent the night in the library. Find the RFPL Youth Department's YouTube channel online to see videos from previous years, and remember to pick up your stuffed animal on July 7.
In addition to special events, the library will feature regular programs, including Monday morning playgroups at 10:30 a.m. for infants and toddlers, with free play and a light activity; Tuesday and Thursday Storytimes at 10:30 a.m.; STEAM activities Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. (for ages 7–12); Make & Take Crafts on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. (for ages 9 and up); Minecraft Club on Fridays at 5 p.m., and Friday Night Movies at 6:00.
Youth are encouraged to come for a program and pick up a lunch. RFLF is again partnering with Windham Northeast Supervisory Union to be a summer lunch site. This program is free and open to youth 18 and younger - no registration or qualifications necessary - simply stop by the library and pick up lunch. This program will run for the duration of the summer reading program.
Signing up for the reading program is simple: stop by the library and put your name on a reading log, then start reading. When kids update their reading logs at the library, they will be able to select a free book to keep each week. Very young children are also invited to sign up for “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten,” a year-round program supported by the Friends of the Rockingham Library to encourage family reading.