This year’s summer reading program theme was Dig Into Reading. I want to take a moment to thank all of the parents, caregivers, children, and teens who participated this year. I would also like to thank the library staff. They did an excellent job helping to make the program happen throughout a very busy summer. We recorded 1027 people in attendance at the 39 programs scheduled this summer. 721 in-house scavenger hunts were completed, and 366 crafts were created during the eight weeks of the program. This summer we added the Wheel of Fun to our program. On each of the even weeks of the program our readers were invited to spin the wheel to collect a small prize. At the end of the eight-week program, finishers received a free book, a grand prize ticket, temporary tattoo, sticker, a free cone from McDonalds, and the chance to vote for a new toy to play with in the library. It was wonderful watching our readers’ progress through the program. A huge thanks goes out to the downtown businesses that hosted a scavenger hunt picture in their window this summer. The families that participated had so much fun.

We have a full schedule of programming for children and teens this fall. Storytime with Ms. Kathryn will be back starting Monday, September 11 at 10:30 a.m. and will meet every Monday at that time for the following seven weeks. Pajama Party Storytime will be offered on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. starting on September 13. The Friday Special Storytime will take place on Friday, September 8 at 10 a.m. This storytime features a themed craft or activity after storytime. All of the storytime programs are held in the children’s room and do not require registration to attend.

A few of our summer programs will continue into the fall. Teen Tuesday is a program for students in sixth through twelfth grade who would like to get together to make crafts and eat snacks once a month. The first program of the season will be held on Tuesday, September 12 at 4 p.m. in the library meeting room. Creative Kids is a STEAM program for students in kindergarten and first grade and explores all kinds of science and arts. This program will be held once a month and begins on Wednesday, September 20 at 4 p.m. in the library meeting room. Wacky Wonders is a STEAM program for students in second through fifth grade and also explores the sciences and arts. This program begins on Thursday, September 6 at 3:30 p.m. These programs require registration. The first No School Afternoon Movie will be held on Friday, October 20 at 2 p.m. in the children’s room. Popcorn will be served, please bring your own water bottle. No registration is required.

On Thursday, September 21 at 10 a.m. I will host a Sensory Playtime. The forty-five minute program will include a story, a song, a group activity, and playtime with sensory toys.

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 and register for events at www.newulmlibrary.org on the Library Events page, or by calling the library at 507-359-8331.

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 Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.