Summer reading program concludes at Waldinger

The summer reading program at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library has officially ended, and this year, the program grew to new heights.

According to Library Director Mamie Eng, a record 600 Valley Stream youths signed up for the program, with nearly 400 completing the reading requirements. “This is the most participation we’ve ever had,” Eng said. “The kids were really into their reading.”

Eng said the library hosted several programs for all ages, including its usual arts and crafts and its newest one called theater children. Eng explained that children were able to act out skits from their favorite plays, keeping with the summer theme of “Be Creative @ Your Library.” She said the kids put on six skits throughout the summer, and had a great time. “It was very popular,” Eng said of the program. “They acted out children’s fairy tales and there was no preparation –– only for an hour before show time. It drew on their skills as actors, and it was perfect for the library.”

In the three sections of the reading program –– for toddlers, adolescents and young adults –– the youngest had at least 18 books read to them, kids in kindergarten to second grade had to read a minimum of 12 books, third-graders and up had to read at least six chapter books, and the young adults read a minimum of three books.

“I think the economy helped,” Eng said of the high participation rate this summer. “People were taking advantage of the free programs and it kept the kids occupied.”

On the final day of the program on Aug. 18, more than 130 kids from in grades two through sixth attended Lou DelBianco’s Around the World Music program at the library, which Eng deemed an “absolute success.” The following day, the library brought in a newspaper writer to teach the young adults in the program how to write biographies.