Imagine a summer of fun with Musser Public Library
by Margaret Hurlbert
June 01, 2020

MUSCATINE, Iowa-As the Muscatine community begins a summer unlike any in living memory, the Musser Public Library, in conjunction with CBI, has adapted its summer reading program to suit a variety of different needs. “It’s going to be very versatile because we know there will be people who won’t want to come in at all, people who will want to come in person, and some who want to do a mix of both, said Betty Collins, youth services manager for the Musser Public Library.

For families working to keep their children reading and learning, Musser Library has ways children can record time spent reading and receive prizes for their work. For the past several years, the library has used Bean Stack software for kids to track their reading. They will continue to use this program, allowing kids to log their reading minutes without leaving home. For each hour kids read, up to eight hours, they will earn small prizes. To claim prizes, children may come into the library or do curbside pickup. Additionally, parents may contact the library at 563-263-3065 to discuss mailing prizes.

While Musser Library will not hold in person summer reading events, they will have virtual options to keep youngsters energized. At home bingo will encourage kids to engage in reading related activities. To play, kids can print a copy of the card or get one at the library. They can then perform the challenges on the card and get a parent or guardian to mark them as completed, and turn in bingos they earn by bringing their card to the library, or emailing, or mailing it in. Collins also encourages families to send in photos of their children completing challenges for library staff to compile into videos for Facebook live and Muscatine Power and Water cable. A series of live streamed concerts and special programs such as Campfire Stories, will also delight little readers.

Teens can enjoy the bingo fun too, with activities tailored to them by Teen Services Assistant Julie Lear. Many bingo activities will focus on reading to help kids start the next school year prepared. Others will encourage teens to watch videos created by Lear that will lead them through fun and useful life skills and at home projects they can easily do. At the end of the summer, teens can enter bingo cards into a prize drawing. Both kids’ and teens’ summer reading lasts from June 1 through July 31.

Musser Library has not overlooked adult readers and has a program for them too. Adult librarian Kimi Waters explained adults may get a reading log at the library or via curbside pickup. Those who read six books between June 1 and Aug. 31 will earn a $5 Hy-Vee gift card.

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