Pottstown Library launches new summer programs for all ages

The Pottstown Regional Public Library is ready to welcome you and your children for special programming designed for the summer months.

The library offers a nice change of scenery on hot days when you need a break from the pool or feel cooped up in the house. Beyond books, it has great opportunities for you and your child to get physical activity and connect with others to stay in tune with your social wellness. The breadth of offerings at libraries can often be overlooked.

"One of the best opportunities for our staff in the summer is to highlight those resources that patrons don't always realize we have," said Caitlin Johnson, youth program coordinator at the Pottstown Library.

Earlier this week, on Tuesday afternoon the library offered a "Floor is Lava Challenge" for kids that was held in their community room.

"We put obstacles out and they have to make it across the room to home," she said. "They have to use hula hoops and cushion squares to get across the room and foam puzzle square pieces, where they have to go in A, B, C order, to get back."

For the month of July on Monday afternoons, the library has partnered with the YWCA to offer a physical activity program for children called CHAMPS (Children's Health and Movement Program Series), but not all of their fun and health-oriented programming is centered on kids.

Also earlier this week on Tuesday, from 6 to 7 p.m., adults enjoyed Summer Yoga at the Library. An instructor from Samanda Holistic Center led a beginner style yoga class. Participants of this special summer series need to bring their own yoga mat and $10 to participate, which is more affordable than most studio classes. Registration is recommended for the class that will be held once a month with the next one taking place on July 5.

A program for teens that can enhance their social wellness during the summer months when they might not have as much contact with their peers is Teen Time at the Library. The community library is reserved for those aged 13 to 17 to come and read, play games or just hang out.

For adults looking to socialize while getting creative, you can engage in Evening Adult Crafting. The library is running a limited evening series from 6 to 7:30 p.m. once a month beginning June 20. This class will be offered at the request of those who work full-time and can't attend their afternoon crafting sessions that take place every other Friday all year around.

You don't need to bring a thing to the free class where the library provides all supplies. You will be guided through step-by-step instructions to make things like paper flowers, button magnets and yarn pom poms. You get to take your completed craft home with you after the class.

Another program that was inspired by patron request is PJ Storytime held every other Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. where children aged 0 to 5 do more than listen to books.

"The librarian incorporates some toddler yoga into it to wind them down and get some energy out before bedtime," Johnson said. "The storytime and yoga is perfectly doable for even really young children."

The library's morning story time didn't work for all, so PJ Storytime was the solution they are launching this summer.

"We had some families say, ‘I work during the morning storytime hours and I wish you could offer an evening storytime’," she said. "After summer we are hoping to offer it every Tuesday."

Other parent-child activities offered this summer include a representative from British Swim School coming to the library to offer an indoor water safety program.

"On June 16th they will offer pointers for parents who will be supervising waterplay and the 23rd is for kids to learn water safety," Johnson said. "They put a mat down to simulate a pool."

Something to mark on your calendar for Aug. 1 is a free vision screening being offered at the library for children ages 0 to 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. Conducted by the Montgomery County Association for the Blind, no health insurance is necessary, but a consent form will need to be signed prior to the test. Among the library's efforts to make healthcare more accessible, Johnson said the screening can be very beneficial to a child's development.

"The sooner you can catch vision and hearing problems, the less likely it is for children to have language and communication development delays," she said, adding the sooner you catch it, the sooner you can do something about it.

This summer the library is also a place where your child can get a free lunch. Held on Wednesday through Pottstown Cluster from June 14 through Aug. 2, the partnership is a new one the library is trying this year. There are a limited number of meals that are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis that will include a sandwich, healthy snack and a drink, such as water or juice. Johnson shared the motivation behind offering this program.

"We would often have a bunch of kids come in during the summer and they are just hungry and would come in and ask for snacks," Johnson said.

Before lunchtime, on Fridays at 11:15 a.m., children can pet and spend time with one to three dogs provided by local therapy dog trainers through the library's DART (Dogs are Readers Too) program.

"The idea started as a time to allow kids to sit and read with local therapy dogs," Johnson said. "They get to spend time with them, pet them and play with them."

For more information on specific programming visit the Pottstown Regional Public Library in-person at 500 E. High St. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Sunday. Call 610-970-6551 or visit online www.pottstownregionalpubliclibrary.org and Facebook: Pottstown Regional Public Library

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