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Children's Department

2023 Summer Reading Wrapup

Thank you to everyone who participated in Portland Library’s 2023 Summer Reading Challenge by
reading, attending programs, completing our extra challenges to earn badges or volunteering to help run our programs or staff our volunteer desk.
 
An extra big THANK YOU goes out to the Friends of the Portland Library for funding the beautiful window artwork, prizes, programs and all aspects of this summer’s program. We hope you had as much fun as we did!
 
362 kids and teens registered for summer reading
7,716 days read
792 missions completed
35 programs offered for kids and teens
1,182 people attended our kids and teen programs
169 entries into our teen raffles

Congrats to our Teen Summer Raffle Winners!

$25 Amazon Gift Card: Sadie C.
$25 Target Gift Card: Sophia C.
$25 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card: Jude E.
$25 Starbucks Gift Card: Cora C.
$25 Dairy Queen Gift Card: Orson F.
$25 Roblox Gift Card: Kavya M.
 
We’re looking forward to next year!

Fall Storytimes
Registration is required and can be done by calling the library at 860-342-6770 or registering through our library calendar at www.portlandlibraryct.org.
 
 Preschool Storytime
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Join us in our Wagner Room for stories, songs, and rhymes that encourage literacy and social skills and help get your preschooler prepared for kindergarten. We will offer a craft related to the weekly theme at the end of the program that can be done at the library or brought home.

Storytime for Toddlers and Tots:
Mother Goose on the Loose
Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.
September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1
Mother Goose on the Loose, a fun-filled interactive session for our youngest patrons, uses rhymes, a story, songs, puppets, scarves, and more to stimulate the learning process of babies and toddlers. Two sessions will be offered each Wednesday to keep group sizes small and interactions personalized.

Mindfulness for Kids
Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
September 14, 21, 28
Grades K-5
 
Kids in kindergarten through grade five can join in to explore what it means to be mindful. Let’s take some time to slow down and appreciate the little things around us. We’ll play with scented doughs, paint to music, work on some yoga moves, make sensory bottles, learn the art of hot chocolate breathing and more.
Registration is required.

Save the Date: Pumpkin
Painting for the Portland Fair
Wednesday, October 4 from 5-7 p.m.

Paint a pumpkin and we will bring it to the Portland Fair and enter it for you! Kids of all ages are invited to participate, but only those age 5 and up are eligible for fair entries. Pumpkins and paint will be supplied. A parent or guardian must be with children to help with supervision.

This event will be held outdoors in the grassy area across the parking lot from the library. In case of inclement weather, take home kits containing a pumpkin, paint and a brush will be provided.
Registration is required and space is limited.

Upcoming Teen Programs

Mushroom Stuffies
Monday, September 18 at 3:30 p.m.
Come craft a small mushroom pillow with us. No previous sewing skills required

Gingerbread Haunted Houses
Monday, October 30 at 3:30 p.m.
We’re putting a spooky Halloween spin on this traditional craft.

Paint Your Pet
Tuesday, November 7 from 4-6 p.m.
Local artist Nancy Roman will walk us through creating
watercolor portraits of our favorite four-legged friends. Bring a 5x7 photo of your pet to the program. Limited to ages 13+.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month

Did you know that there’s no minimum age to get a library card?  It's true. Everyone is eligible to obtain a library card -- adults, teens, toddlers, and even babies! Children under 18 may be issued cards if accompanied by a parent or guardian with a photo ID and proof of current address.