This year, MFL's annual Summer Reading Program will be held virtually and in person! We will be offering some in person, outdoor programs throughout the summer. Summer Reading will run from July 5th – August 13th.

Summer Reading Programming

Children's Summer Reading programming will be conducted partially online via MFL's Facebook page. Crafts with Gia and Haley and storytimes with Mrs. Q and Miss Diane will be posted weekly, as well as videos from special guest performers! We are also happy to be offering some in person, outdoor programming here at the library! In person programs will require registration, and all of our programs will be listed on our events calendar.

How will virtual programs work?

BABIES & PRESCHOOL:
 

All summer we will have storytimes with Mrs. Q and sign language storytimes with Miss Dorey posted on MFL’s Facebook for babies and preschoolers to enjoy with their grownups. Preschoolers and kindergarteners can also enjoy our virtual series Tales with Taste, where viewers can read a story with Miss Diane then learn how to make a yummy snack! Kits of materials needed for the snacks can be picked up at the library for each week’s video. Since they contain perishables, the kits will only be available the week the video is posted. However, if you have the ingredients at home, the videos will be accessible any time. These kits are limited supply and are available on a first come, first served basis. If you would like one, you can call the library to reserve one or come in and ask for one. More information about each individual program will be listed on its event page on our events calendar.

GRADE SCHOOL & TEENS:
 

Craft videos for children grades 1 – 5 and grades 6 – 12, lead by Haley and Gia, will be posted on our Facebook page at the same time every week, and those who wish to "attend" can watch the videos and make the crafts along with us. We will assemble kits of materials required to complete the crafts, which can be picked up at the library prior to the craft. These kits are limited supply and are available on a first come, first served basis. If you would like one, you can call the library to reserve one or come in and ask for one. More information about each individual craft will be listed on its event page on our events calendar. However, the videos will be accessible to everyone! So if you aren't able to get a craft kit from us, you can still participate in the craft if you have the materials.

What about in person programming?

We’re excited to offer in person programming at the library again this year! In person programs will be held outdoors with masks and social distancing required. Registration with a valid Monroe Free Library card will be required for in person programs so we are able to conduct our events safely. Registration will be on a week to week basis, opening the week before a program occurs. Each event will have the date registration begins listed on its page on our events calendar. If you signed up for a program but the child/children attending or anyone else in your household is not feeling well, we ask that you go online or call us to cancel your registration and do not attend. To see what in person programs we will be offering this summer, please visit our events calendar.

We hope you'll enjoy our slate of virtual and in person programming and the switch from paper logs to online tracking. If you have any questions, you can call the library at (845) 783-4411, email summerreading@monroefreelibrary.org or send us a message directly in READsquared.

What is READsquared?

READsquared is an online portal for logging reading time and activities. Children can earn badges and achievements by logging activity on READsquared, and will receive a certificate of completion when the reading goals are accomplished. MFL's READsquared portal can be accessed by clicking here, or by downloading the READsquared app (available on iOS and Android) and searching for Monroe Free Library.

How do I sign up?

Navigate to MFL's READsquared portal then click Register Now in the right sidebar. Parents or guardians can select the myself and other readers option to register their child or children in one joint account, but children ages 12+ are welcome to create their own account with permission from their parent or guardian. To sign up, you will need a valid Monroe Free Library card.

Can I use my READsquared account from last year?

If you used READsquared last year, unfortunately you will not be able to log into your old account. You will have to register for a new account to participate this year, but you are able to use the same email, username and password as last year if you still have that information saved.

What will I use READsquared for?

READsquared will be used to keep track of reading time and early literacy activities. Children ages 0 – 4 will have a list of missions to complete, such as going for walks or reading bedtime stories, similar to the paper bingo boards from years past. Children ages 5 – 18 will be enrolled in our grade school or teen programs, where they will keep track of time read and earn badges, similar to stamping paper logs when they were brought in to the Children's Department.

Should I review books that I log?

If you'd like to, sure! READsquared gives you the option to review a book when you log reading time for it. You can select a star rating and write what you liked or didn't like about the book. Submissions will then be reviewed by an MFL staff member, and if they're approved, they'll be shared anonymously with other MFL patrons using READsquared. It's totally optional, but we'd love to hear your thoughts on what you're reading!