By Kathryn Tatnall

Youth Services Librarian

New Ulm Public Library’s summer reading program, “Dig Into Reading” begins on Monday, June 5, 2023 and runs through July 30, 2023. The summer reading program is open to ages birth to those entering their high school senior year.

This year reading logs will be available for pick up in the library starting Tuesday, May 30. Children up to the age of eleven can pick up a reading log in the children’s room. Read at least 20 minutes a day for a week to fulfill the reading goal. Each week they can stop by the children’s desk to check in with their logs and get a stamp. On the even weeks those checking in will get to spin the Wheel of Fun, to collect a prize. Collect all eight stamps and you’re finished!

Teens who are age twelve to those who are entering their senior year of high school in the fall of 2023 may pick up their logs at the service desk. Teens need to read at least a half an hour each day for a week to meet their reading goal. They will record their reading each week and can turn their logs in at the end of the program, no need to check in each week.

There are several activities to keep you busy at the library this summer. Storytime with Ms. Kathryn and Pajama Party Storytime will begin again the week of June 5. Friday’s Special Storytime will be offered once a month. New this year is a wonderful class called Music, Movement and Stories with Anna De St Croix, which will be offered once a month. Twice a month the library will offer movies on Friday afternoon. This year’s programs you need to register for are: Creative Kids for those entering kindergarten and first grade in the fall; Wacky Wonders for those entering second to fifth grade with the fall school year: and Teen Tuesdays for students entering sixth through twelfth grade. The library will host Ralph’s World with New Ulm Park and Recreation for a Concert in the Park. Brian and Susan will present their original musical storytime highlighting Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox. Pick up a summer reading program brochure in the children’s room for times and dates of the programs mentioned above, or check out www.newulmlibrary.org for more information and to register. If you have any question about the summer reading program or summer programming you may call the library at 507-359-8331.

The community check out goal this summer is 25,000 items checked out of the library in just 8 weeks. Visit the library each week to check out books to help with our community check out goal and help you fill up your reading log. If we reach our goal of 25,000 items checked out the library will purchase a new gizmo or gadget for children and teens to explore at the library.

Summer reading participants can turn in their reading logs between July 31 and August 5; early or late reading logs will not be accepted. Children and teens who complete their reading logs by the end of eight weeks will be invited to choose a free book, fill out an entry for a grand prize, choose a temporary tattoo, and vote for a summer reading library prize.

Please ask at the children’s desk if there is something you’re looking for and can’t find right away; we’re here to help. Check out our monthly calendar of programming too. We offer a variety of activities for all ages, from story time to book club for teens. You can find more information on our website at www.newulmlibrary.org on the Library Events page.

The library is located at 17 N. Broadway and is open to the public Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday and