Area libraries are turning the page on another year of free summer reading programs for children.

The 2023 Collaborative Summer Library Program’s national slogan is “All Together Now.”

Summer reading programs date back to the late 1800s, as a way to coax school-age children to utilize libraries and foster reading habits.

Leechburg’s program runs from June 1 to Aug. 11 and offers rolling admissions and a casually creative atmosphere.

All ages are welcome, and weekly activities include crafts, a butterfly raise-and-release project and more, library clerk Patti Klasnick said.

Participation last summer exceeded expectations, she said.

“Last year, we had about 50 kids participate. We were very happy with that, and this year I think it will be bigger,” Klasnick said. “The national theme this year is about inclusiveness, friendship, kindness and community.”

New this year at Leechburg is a teen advisory volunteer board.

Six Leechburg Area High School students from grades 6-12 will volunteer and assist Klasnick at the library.

Sarah McGonagle of Leechburg participated last summer with three of her children.

“The library was one of the first places we discovered when we moved here,” McGonagle said. “My kids love the crafts, and families can come in on their own time. They’re really well done.”

Also new this summer is a pen pal program.

For the pen pal program, youngsters will write letters and send them back and forth using the interlibrary loan system in the New Castle district, Klasnick said.

“The children learn to work together and use resources with this program,” Klasnick said.

Other libraries’ programs

• The Oakmont Carnegie Library will host “All Together Now” from June 10 to Aug. 5.

Scheduled programs include Summer Buddies Storytime, Makerspace Open Hours, Coding for Kids, Baby Lapsit and Storywalks.

Kelsey Boltz, a new hire at the Oakmont library, will help with the Makerspace program.

“Generally, the children are happy to come because it gives them something to do over the summer,” Boltz said.

• Vandergrift Public Library will accept registrations beginning June 15 for “All Together Now.”

The program runs from July 1-31.

Library Director Sarah Buzzard said the programs are designed to help prevent what they call “the summer slide” and aim to keep kids reading during the months they’re off from school.

“I think the biggest benefit of these programs is it gives the children something to do with their parents during the summer that also encourages reading — and good reading habits,” she said.

The 2023 “All Together Now” Summer Reading Program will run July 1-31 at Vandergrift Public Library.  

Registration is required, and readers of all ages are invited to celebrate kindness, friendship and unity. Activities include reading challenges, outdoor programs and prizes.

• Peoples Library, with braches in New Kensington and Lower Burrell, kicks off summer programs June 10.

Director David Hrivnak said a lot of the focus will be on STEM, “highlighting that science and math can be a lot of fun.”

“BotsIQ will be joining us to share some of the amazing things that can be done with a 3D pen,” Hrivnak said, “and we will be hosting a four-day science camp with the theme of ‘Be a Physicist.’”

Children 12 and younger are encouraged to track their reading. For every five books, they have a chance to win a prize.

“The more you read, the greater the chance to win,” Hrivnak said.

Special events this summer include a visit with an owl from the National Aviary, as well as the Quack a Doodle Doo petting zoo in July.

Younger patrons will get the chance to take a field trip to the Knead Community Cafe, where they will create a snack with the chef and hear food-related stories from the children’s librarian.

• At Springdale Free Public Library, children’s librarian Dana Muller said the staff works hard to draw children to the School Street site during the summer months.

“The summer slide is real,” she said. “They need engagement — things to keep them coming back to the library.”

Children up to sixth grade can meet at 11 a.m. Tuesdays for age-appropriate crafts, stories and themed activities. Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m., courtesy of donations from the community.

Muller said the theme of “All Together Now” will be weaved into art projects each week.

“The first week, each age group will draw and paint the different sections of a garden so that when it’s assembled, all the pieces reveal one big picture,” she said.

The end of the program will be celebrated with a party July 28.

• In Harrison, the Community Library of Allegheny Valley is marking summer reading with the theme of “Camp Kindness.” Registration begins June 1, and the program kicks off with a party from 2 to 4 p.m. June 17. There will be a make-your-own s’mores trail mix table, ice cream in a bag and a go fishin’ pond.

Family-friendly ghost stories will be read by storyteller Alan Irvine.

“Summer reading brings such energy to the library and makes our summer just fly by,” Director Suzy Ruskin said. “We can’t wait to see all of the reading and activities take place and love to see such love of reading.”

Aimed at children from infants to high school seniors, “campers” can log their reading hours each week for the chance to win free books, earbuds and Dairy Queen coupons. There’s even a special category for adults who turn the pages this summer.

“We have some wonderful programs set up and lots of reading to do,” Ruskin said.

• Plum Borough Community Library will host its reading kickoff June 7 with local musicians John Vento, Cherylann Hawk and Kevin McCarthy performing acoustic tunes starting at 6:30 p.m.

The library will give out free Italian ice and have a craft table for kids.

Coordinator Pamela Fauls said she aims to stoke a passion for reading in people of all ages.

Summer programming is centered around themes of unity and kindness. Highlights include: a Cards for Kids craft day June 13, during which the library’s scrapbooking group will help participants create cards to deliver to children in the hospital; Wonders of Wildlife with Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium on June 15 that will feature a Zoomobile; and No-Bake Cookie Making on July 15.

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