This summer, the Stratford Library continues to help children connect with others through crafts, community activities, and reading, of course. Their “500 books before middle school” challenge, where kids between the ages of 5-12 are encouraged to read 500 books over the summer, provides middle-grade readers with a fun way to improve their literacy skills.
At the front of the Children’s Department, the librarians have set up a bulletin board where the kids participating can mark how many books they have read. When they begin the reading challenge, they get to personalize a cut out paper shoe to mark their journey. Every milestone that they complete, they are able to move their shoe up to the next checkpoint on the trail.
Programs like these are important for every child to be a part of, since it keeps them engaged in reading literature, and teaches them to view learning as something that can be fun. Every day the craft table is also available to kids. This is a fun way to interact and connect with other kids their age. Each week, the craft rotates to something new, giving every kid a chance to participate. The Children’s Department also holds special events throughout the summer featuring performers, or programs such as crocheting or Lego building days. Recently, Coryse Villarouel performed a carnival dance at the library, showcasing her Caribbean culture. At the end of the production, the kids were able to help her design a special headpiece from her traditional costumes, that would be gifted to the Stratford Library. Coryse also read her picture book, “Coco’s Carnival Connection”,which she published in 2024, sharing the story of her journey from the Caribbean to the United States, and the ways that she celebrates and shares her culture with others.
The Children’s Department also partners with other community groups such as Sterling House day camps during the summer. This allows the kids attending Sterling House Community Center Camps to be able to participate in special events.
Caitlin Augusta, librarian and Head of Children’s Services, says that her favorite thing about working at the Stratford Library is the families that come in everyday. It’s the families and the children that really make this place special. The Children’s Department volunteers are also a big part of what makes the Stratford Library great. Volunteers can sign up every week to help out with the set up of special events, which not only benefits them by providing them with volunteer hours, but the library also is able to continue to run programs like this because of their support and commitment. Volunteers get assigned a shift every week to help the kids build their crafts at the craft table. By volunteering at the Children’s Department, teens are also able to grow connections and relationships with the librarians who work there.
The Stratford Library’s Children’s Department is clearly an asset for children of all ages in our community. When they are young, kids get to spend their time socializing and making friends through fun programs featured at the library. As they grow older, they develop responsibility, leadership, and team building skills as a volunteer.
For further information, contact the library at 203-385-4160.
