TOPSHAM
The Topsham Public Library was awarded a $1,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support summer literacy through the library’s Summer Reading for All pilot initiative.
The project’s purpose is to provide free non-resident summer library cards to elementary, middle and high school students in the SAD 75 School District who live in Bowdoin and Bowdoinham. This local grant award is part of more than $7.5 million in grants awarded to nearly 900 schools, nonprofits and organizations across 44 states.
Each summer, the Topsham Public Library offers a summer reading program for all ages, from infants to adults. This year’s theme is Building a Better World and encourages readers to read new titles and engage with the community.
While the library is primarily funded by the town to serve the residents of Topsham, which is part of School Administrative District 75, students from Bowdoin and Bowdoinham often attend library programs and events. However, these students can’t access the materials without paying for a non-resident library card, which can be very expensive for a family that is economically disadvantaged. By providing free non-resident cards to these SAD 75 students, this project hopes to help these students close the summer reading achievement gap.
According to the National Summer Learning Association, students who participate in summer reading programs are less likely to lose educational ground from the “summer slide” in reading levels. The library’s reading program is designed to encourage reading and literacy among children of all reading abilities. First, it rewards the number of hours children spend reading, rather than the number of books read. Secondly, students can read any form of literature, including graphic novels and audio books. This approach makes the program very accessible to reluctant readers, because they find the most success with these two genres and they are rewarded for their effort, rather than how many books they read. According to a 2009 study by the Program for International Student Assessment, graphic novels help reluctant readers, especially teen boys, engage with literature and increase reading success.
“Dollar General is excited to provide these organizations with funding to support literacy and education throughout the 44 states we serve,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar
General’s CEO. “Providing these grants and supporting the communities we call home reflects our mission of Serving Others and it’s rewarding to see the impact these funds have.”
Summer reading
Summer reading kicks off this year on June 17 and continues through Aug. 19
Highlights include
• The annual Topsham Fishing Rally on June 1 at the ponds located behind the Topsham Solid Waste Facility from 8-11 a.m.
• The Bowdoin International Music Festival Community Concert is back with the Artists of Tomorrow: the young musicians who come to the festival each summer from conservatories and graduate schools all over the world. They will play at Topsham Public Library at 2 p.m. on July 8.
• Staycation 2017 is a daylong, all ages event on July 29 including guest readings for children by Fire Chief Brian Stockdale and the two school principals from Topsham’s elementary schools. Carol Birch, Gary Rainford and bestselling Maine author, Paul Doiron will entertain adults. Bring a picnic lunch, ice cream provided.
Maine Railers visit library
The Maine 3 Railers return to Topsham Public Library on June 3 to share their love of all things railroad. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can watch the operating railroad display and discuss this interest with railroaders. Children cn enjoy Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends trains with remote controls and some push button accessories.
Maine 3 Railers, established in 1998, is the oldest and largest club in the state dedicated to the enjoyment and advancement of the OGauge, 3 rail, model railroad hobby.
The Topsham Public Library is located at 25 Foreside Road in Topsham. For more information, contact the library at 725-1727 or at www.topshamlibrary.org.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less