TRL’s Summer Library Program begins June 1

Those looking for a way to enhance their summer through reading, exploring, creating and learning should take part in the Timberland Regional Library Summer Library Program happening June 1-Aug. 31.

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) will once again hold its Summer Library Program for the communities it serves in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties. Participating in the program is a great educational tool for parents and their kids, said Jessica Friberg, Timberland Regional Library District Manager - Youth and Family Services.

“Participating in library activities and events over the summer is a fantastic way to help reduce summer learning loss in kids, a phenomenon that happens when the skills students learn during the school year are lost or forgotten over the summer,” Friberg said.

Activities that are a part of TRL’s Summer Library Program keep kids engaged in learning and keep their minds stimulated, Friberg said.

To take part, library-goers of all ages can visit any one of the 29 TRL locations to receive a free book and an activity log.

Participants can track their TRL Summer Library Program activities on their paper log or digitally at trl.beanstack.org or after downloading the Beanstack app.

Once 10 activities are completed, submit your digital log online or turn in your paper log and receive a certificate of completion and, while supplies last, a second free book.

Some of the activities that are part of the TRL Summer Reading Program include:

·         StoryTrails – Participants can walk a local trail and read a picture book as a fun and engaging way to combine a love of nature and a love of reading. Visit TRL.org/Storytrail for a list of locations and more information.

·         Take and Make activity bags – These crafts, to be created at home, include supplies and directions and are available for a variety of ages at selected locations while supplies last.

·         Zoom Storytimes – Anyone, anywhere can join our expert story time providers and other families live on Zoom. Check out Family Storytime and Bilingual Time/La hora bilingüe to find story times in English and Spanish.

·         Library of Things – Patrons can check out and explore unique natural environments throughout Washington, test a product or take up a new hobby with items from TRL’s Library of Things collections.

·         Youth and Senior Connect Boxes – These tubs are filled with 55-70 books that are available for loan to community centers, health care agencies, before- and after-school programs, head start locations, preschools, daycare centers, day camps and youth groups.

·         Grab Bag – Patrons can share what they love to read, listen to or watch, and library staff will put together a library grab bag of personalized materials. A grab bag form is available online and grab bags can be created for all ages and reading levels.

Some locations will also have in-person programs available on site, which has not been the case during the past two years of the event because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are especially looking forward to another year of StoryTrails at locations across our five counties, and to start bringing back in-person programs for children, teens and adults,” Friberg said.

Those interested in the Summer Library Program can visit events.TRL.org for a full list of summer activities for all ages. They also can download an activity log or the Beanstack app from below:

SLP Activity Log English Color.pdf
SLP Activity Log Spanish Color.pdf
SLP Activity Log English BW.pdf
SLP Activity Log Spanish BW.pdf

TRL.beanstack.org