Fun, Safe, Free Summers with the Mohawk Valley Library System

SCHOHARIE — Summer Reading Program Kick-Offs are underway at the 14 libraries in the Mohawk Valley Library System (MVLS). MVLS Public Services Consultant, Beth Rienti, explained, “Our libraries pour their heart and soul into their summer reading programs. Staff and volunteers at each library dedicate hours and hours of their time to preparing and running a wide range of programs and events. Summer reading programs provide families with opportunities to stay connected to fun, safe educational opportunities during the summer – all for free.” 

Shared Summer Reading Program themes are selected by a national committee years in advance. This year’s theme is “Color Our World.” Sharon Springs Free Library Director, Meghan Keaney, added 2026’s theme will be, “Unearth a Story (dinosaurs, paleontology, archeology) and 2027 will be Mysteries Await at Your Library (mystery, detective, suspense).” 

MVLS Communications and Community Engagement Specialist, Wade Abbott, and Rienti revealed, “There is no requirement for libraries to use this shared theme. Each library also adapts its summer reading program to meet the needs of the community they serve, so the programs and target audiences vary significantly from library to library. Some programs focus on younger children, others on teens, and there are even summer reading programs for adults.” 

Keaney’s excited that Sharon Springs Free Library will have registration for all ages this year. While everyone was welcome to participate in their Summer Reading Program in the past, this will be their first year having official registration for all age groups. Keaney explained registration helps them serve participants better with future tailored summer reading experiences, “For example, the teen registration has a part that asks them to check off which genres they're interested in. Then we can have a better idea on what books to add/discussion to host for teens.”

Cobleskill Community Library Assistant, Courtney Little, said that patrons have been excitedly asking lots of questions about this year’s Color Our World theme and upcoming activities, adding, “We can't wait for our program to launch on July 9 with reading challenge signups and our first summer program, Dance the World Around with Homespun Occasions. Exciting programs continue through August 23 and include lots of art as well as astronomy, animals, and more!” Summer Reading is Cobleskill Library’s biggest program of the year, and they include a reading challenge and full program schedule for kids, teens, and adults. The Community Library is located at 110 Union St.

Summer Reading Kick-Off festivities for all ages at the Schoharie Library took place on June 17th. Schoharie Library Program Director, Jennie Mosher, said, “This event brings the community together just when it's really starting to feel like summer, and it truly feels like a celebration.” Mosher explained why Schoharie Library loves this year’s Color Our World theme; “The Schoharie Library is all about art, color, and celebrating diversity so this theme suits us perfectly. We always use the CSLP theme for our Summer Reading Program because there are typically good promotional materials and interesting ideas.” They tailor programs to the interests of their patrons, who have expressed loving hands-on animal, nature, and art experiences for Discovery Tuesdays (starting July 8th with 2 sessions of Reptile Adventure at 10 AM and 11AM), Art Wednesdays (require registration and starts July 9th with Block Printing with Casey Beal), and Fun Fridays programming includes weekly Storytimes that will continue over the summer each Friday at 10 AM.

Mosher would also like you to know, “The Joshua Project will provide free lunch at the Schoharie Library on Tuesdays and Fridays at noon, so people can join our library activities, pick out books, eat lunch, then head to the pool or other afternoon activities. The Summer Reading Wrap-up Party on August 19 includes activities with the Youth Bureau and library staff, as well as a Health and Wellness Fair all afternoon.” And, “We deeply appreciate the support of our community, trustees, and volunteers, the Schoharie County Youth Bureau, the Joshua Project, the Mohawk Valley Library System, the Old Stone Fort, CREATE Council on the Arts, and Schoharie Central School, who all contribute in various ways to enrich and promote the library's offerings.”

Each year you can preorder chicken and rib dinners from Barbecue Delights that can be taken home to eat or enjoyed under their tents; follow the Schoharie Library on Facebook to watch for the preorder link and details next year. The Schoharie Library is located at 103 Knower Ave.

If you’re reading this article on its June 19th  release date, you’re in luck because there’s still time to attend the June 19th Middleburgh Library Summer Reading Kick-Off Carnival at 323 Main Street from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Their library will “transform into a lively indoor carnival filled with games and activities for all ages. Enjoy carnival classics like face painting, ring toss, and balloon animals, along with delicious snacks, refreshments and lots of prizes. Don't miss the chance to sign up for our summer reading program, where adventure and discovery await through a world of books and fun. Bring your family and friends, and let's make this summer an unforgettable adventure! For all ages.”

If you didn’t make it to Middleburgh Library’s Summer Reading Kick-Off Carnival, parents and kids can register in-person at the library or online. They want to provide fun ways to keep kids engaged over the summer with free, educational opportunities held in a safe space and explained, “Any kid or teen who registers for the reading program can earn raffle tickets by reading or attending events and programs or by completing a bingo card. At the end of the summer, they can put those raffle tickets in to win prizes like Amazon or Stewarts gift cards, toys or books and much more. You do not need to be registered for the reading program to attend events - they are open to everyone and are free.”

Keep your eye on all of these libraries’ Facebook pages and websites for fun, safe, and free Color Our World Summer Reading Program full event schedules!