Like the majority of libraries across the nation, the Poestenkill Library develops a comprehensive, theme-based Summer Reading Program every year. Many years ago, the goal of Summer Reading was to help prevent backslide, or loss of literacy skills, over summer break months for school-aged children. While this is still a huge benefit and a meaningful reward, today our Summer Reading programs are not just about logging minutes read to prevent skills loss and they're not just for kids! We create Summer Reading Programming for patrons of all ages, from pre-readers through adults. Our Summer Reading Programs are about fostering a lifelong love of reading and libraries, strengthening community engagement, encouraging readers to venture beyond their comfort zones and, perhaps most importantly -- the Poestenkill Library Summer Reading Programs are about having fun!

In 2023, 123 patrons participated in our "All Together Now" (diversity themed) Summer Reading Program. Participants logged over 28,000 minutes of reading. As we mentioned our programs aren't just about reading though. We also distributed 218 culture based take-home STEM activity kits to children, handed out samples of Vegemite, and gave away free chopsticks while encouraging patrons to explore Asian cuisine, all in addition to offering a robust array of in-person activities and events. With this year's theme, "Adventure Begins at Your Library", we are certain we'll be able to draw even greater community response with exciting-theme based programs in the library and beyond.

Our ability to continue providing new and high quality services with our limited budget, which hasn't seen an increase in town funding since 2017, is due in large part to the fundraising efforts of our Friends of the Library and through partnerships with local businesses offering donations of goods and services. In support of our 2024 Summer Reading Program, we are hoping to obtain gift certificate donations for adventurous activities which will be offered as grand prize options for our Summer Reading Program participants.