BATH

Patten Free Library is offering a variety of summer reading programs for students entering grades 6-12. The three programs offered this summer are free of charge for patrons in this age group residing within the library’s service area or those who attend an RSU 1 school.

The first way to participate is through the Library’s traditional incentive-based reading program RSU 1 Reads, which starts the last day of school, June 15. For every book they read of at least 100 pages in length, participants can claim a small prize and raffle ticket by visiting the Library’s information desk to record the books. This year there will be two raffle drawings, on July 27 and August 31, with many gift certificates and prizes to be won.

“It’s really easy to participate in our regular teen summer reading program,” said Lesley Dolinger, the library director. “Once again, the prizes this year are outstanding – many local businesses that know the importance of summer reading have donated coupons, merchandise, and prizes that we know will appeal to this age group. And we have a strong partnership with the local schools, which helps us promote the importance of summer reading.”

The Library will also offer its popular “Teen Summer Nights” movie series on Wednesday evenings starting June 15. Movies will be shown in the library’s air-conditioned Community Room. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for light refreshments and chat; movies will begin at 6 p.m.

With the exception of Good Will Hunting (rated R), all the movies are rated PG- 13. The full schedule includes:

• June 15: “Ant-Man” (2015) (117 minutes)

• June 22: “Creed” (2015) (133 minutes)

• June 29: “Furious 7” (2015) (137 minutes)

• July 6: “Pitch Perfect 2” (2015) (115 minutes)

• July 13: “Good Will Hunting” (1997) (126 minutes)

• July 20: “Bring It On” (2000) (98 minutes)

• July 27: “Race” (2016) (134 minutes)

• Aug. 3: Batman v Superman (2016) (151 minutes)

A new teen program offered this summer is a “Battle-of-the-Books” style competition for students entering seventh through ninth grades. Registration opens June 1 for the “Book Olympiad,” in which teams of up to three students read six titles chosen from this year’s Maine Student Book Award winners.

On Aug. 10, the library will host a 60-minute contest in which the teams compete in a game-show format to answer questions about all six books. There will be gold, silver, and bronze medal prizes awarded to the winning teams. Participants can stop by the library to sign up (individually or as part of a team) and borrow copies of the books.

“We all know that there is no more important summer activity than reading, and that by maintaining reading skills students are more likely to succeed in school and in life,” said Dolinger. “We’re delighted that ‘R.S.U. 1 Reads!’ has become a community wide effort on the part of the library, local schools, and local businesses, and hope many students continue to participate.”

For more information call (207) 443-5141, extension 25, email [email protected] or visit patten.lib.me.us.

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