Cranston libraries 'build' successful summer program

For the past 41 years, all children in Cranston and the state of Rhode Island have had the opportunity to participate in the Summer Reading Program for free.

There is a specific theme associated with the program each year, and the libraries sponsor performers and programs that are connected to the theme.

The summer reading program is made possible by funding from the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

Local sponsors include Cranston Public Library Association, BankNewport, Collette Foundation, Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation, Pawtucket Credit Union Charitable Foundation, Cranston Municipal Employees Credit Union, and the Walmart Foundation. Local businesses that provided coupons or other incentives include B.Good, Pinkberry, Sundaes, Chipotle, Texas Roadhouse, Rock Spot Climbing Gym, Dave and Busters, and Time Capsule Comics," said Emily Brown, Coordinator of Youth Services for CPL.

"This summer, CPL encouraged readers to help "Build a Better World," as their summer reading theme. In order to participate in this year's challenge, young people in Cranston picked up reading records from the city's public libraries. These records prompted participants to focus their reading on the essentials of better-world-building: skills, courage, strength, community, curiosity, and creativity," said Katy Dorchies, Community Engagement Manager for CPL.

As a child completed a book, they filled out a reading cube and turned it into a branch librarian. The cubes were then sent over to Central Library and a special building project was completed.

"For every cube we received, we promised to donate one book or one dollar to Books are Wings, a Rhode Island Literacy Charity whose goal is to put free books in the hands of children. We will be donating five hundred dollars and 46 books to Books Are Wings," said Brown.

As the cubes were collected, they were put to use into a special building project.

"The robot we built with the cubes will be on display until the end of August, along with a sign sharing the final total amount of money raised. We call the robot "Roz," in honor of the main character in The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, a Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee title, but it does not have an official name," said Brown.

Since they built the robot at Central, they also purchased "We Stick Together" posters for each branch.  Children who participated in summer reading at those locations received tiny square stickers to add to the mystery poster. It's similar to a color-by-number drawing where you don't know what it's a picture of until you add all the tiny stickers in the correct places. The posters for each branch were; Oak Lawn's poster featured Van Gogh's Starry Night, Auburn's poster had a tiger, William Hall’s sunflowers and Knightsville had hot air balloons.

“I am thrilled with the turn out and participation of the kids this summer. I was at capacity for almost every one of my programs and performers. This was a very successful summer,” said William Hall’s Youth Services Librarian, Elise Petrarca.

For complete information on everything library check out their web site www.cranstonlibrary.org