Fort Scott Public Library Youth Summer Reading News

Summer reading is in full-swing, but if you have not signed up for it yet, there’s still time! Just register here and call 620-223-2882 or email Miss Val to arrange pick up of your welcome packet. Specify how many children or teens and what grades you need packets for, when you call or email.

The library hands out packets filled with prizes (earned by reading or completing challenges), along with crafts and activities (for all participants), weekly. Participants should call or email the library every week to schedule a Friday pickup. This week, due to the Independence Day holiday weekend, the library will begin Friday pickups early, starting Thursday, July 2, at 9 am. Call 620-223-2882 or email Miss Val to schedule your pickups. If you need to catch up from past weeks, be sure to let the library staff know.

Letters to the Elderly

The library is partnering with Medicalodges, Fort Scott, in a project designed to connect summer reading families with elderly residents in care at Medicalodge. The library will send out letter stationery, envelopes, and instructions in this week’s craft and activity packets, and will collect the letters throughout the month of July. After quarantining the letters, Miss Val will deliver them to Medicalodges, Fort Scott, for distribution to their residents. Letters should be returned to the library by August 1, and Miss Val hopes to deliver them by August 3. It is the wish of library staff that the project provides comfort, entertainment, and a measure of joy to the residents, and that some of them will write back to the families, perhaps even establishing a connection that will outlast the project.

Free Books & Prizes

The library allows patrons to browse its tubs full of free books, placed on the library lawn outside the north entrance, during curbside pickup hours on days with a clear weather forecast. Youth summer reading participants may also earn books, both pre-owned and new, as prizes for completing weekly reading goals. Other prizes include toys, coupons or gift cards for free food or drinks, craft kits, snacks, dress up accessories, and summer items. The library has already distributed gift cards (as prizes for meeting weekly reading goals) purchased by the library, as well as gift cards and/or coupons donated by the following local business sponsors: Casey’s General Stores, Daylight Donuts, Domino’s Pizza, G & W Cash Saver, Marsha’s Great Plains Deli, Sonic Drive-In, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s. Pete’s Convenience Stores has also pledged a donation, which is expected to arrive soon.

Storyteller Will Stuck

From 8 am, July 18 through late night, July 23, Fort Scott Public Library will offer two video performances by Storyteller Will Stuck, provided as a part of the library’s summer reading program. Will Stuck has created one performance for preschoolers and another for elementary-aged children, inspired by this year’s summer reading theme. You may access the videos through the library’s Facebook page, showing on this playlist from July 18 – 23.

Community Members Read & Craft for Summer Reading

On this playlist, you will find local retired and current teachers, parents, librarians, and other professionals, who have already read stories or demonstrated crafts for this year’s summer reading program. The videos will remain online through the last day of summer reading, August 5.

Upcoming Programs:

July 7 – 10 am: Mixed-Up Tales Preschool Stories with educator Alexandra VanSickle (Zoom)

11 am: Mythological Villains Elementary Stories with educator Alexandra VanSickle (Zoom)