BATH

Once again, Patten Free Library is offering a variety of summer reading programs for students entering 6th through 12th grades. The three programs offered this summer season are free of charge for patrons in this age group residing within the library’s service area or who attend a R.S.U. 1 school.

The first way to participate is through the Library’s traditional incentive based reading program “R.S.U. 1 Reads,” which starts the first day of summer break (June 21). Participants can claim a small prize and raffle ticket for every book they read of at least 100 pages in length. Special recognition will be given to participants who read 20 books or more. This year there will be raffle drawings every Wednesday evening at 5:45 p.m. from June 28 through August 23, with many great gift certificates, books, and other 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 know the importance of summer reading and have donated coupons, merchandise and prizes that we know will appeal to this age group. Plus, we have a strong partnership with the local schools, which helps us promote the importance of summer reading.”

The Library also features its popular “Teen Summer Nights” movie series on Wednesday evenings starting June 21. Movies will be shown in the library’s air conditioned Community Room; show time is 6:00 p.m.

All the movies are rated PG or PG-13.

The full schedule includes:

• June 21: Lego Batman

• June 28: Beauty and the Beast

• July 5: Rogue One

• July 12: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

• July 19: Before I Fall

• July 26: Lights Out

• Aug. 2: Central Intelligence

• Aug. 9: Kong: Skull Island

The third summer program is a game-show-style competition for students entering seventh through ninth grades. Beginning June 15, teams of up to three students can register to participate in the “Book Olympiad,” where participants read six books selected from this year’s Maine Student Book Award nominees and then prepare to answer questions about them.

On Wednesday, Aug. 16, the Library hosts a 60- minute contest after which winning teams are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medal prizes. 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.”

Questions about the programs may be directed to Roberta Jordan, Outreach and Instruction Librarian, at [email protected], or by calling (207) 443-5141, ext. 25. Reading logs, movie schedules, and detailed information about the Book Olympiad can be found at patten.lib.me.us/teen-summer reading/.

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