This July and August we are exploring the concepts of self-expression and identity with our summer reading program, Tell Your Tale, the ultimate celebration of you and what you like to do! No matter your age, read and take part in activities to get to know yourself and others—and earn the chance to win great prizes along the way!
For Kids
Tails and Tales
A Summer Learning Program for Students Entering Grades K-6
Registration begins on June 1st. When registering, you will be asked to create a username and password to access your summer reading account. If you have a username and password from a previous program, just sign in.
You may begin logging books on June 11th and begin completing challenges on July 5th. To complete the program and earn a prize drawing entry, you need to read 600 minutes this summer. If you finish early, keep going! By reading 1200 minutes before the program officially ends on August 21st, you will earn a chance to win one of our Grand Prizes.
To earn an additional prize drawing entry, complete all 12 summer learning challenges. There will be 2 new challenges released each week beginning the week of July 5th.
A Family Read Together Program for Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Spend time reading as a family! For every ten books your family reads together, you will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket. You may read the same book more than once – we know that’s how many preschoolers enjoy their favorite books.
There is no need to register every preschool age child you have participating. Just register one, and let us know how many you have during registration.
NOTE: Children entering Kindergarten can choose which program they would like to participate in.
You can begin logging your books beginning July 1st. The last day to log books and submit prize drawings is August 21st.
Children’s Summer Programs
For Teens
Tell Your Tale: You Do You
July 1 – August 21
The best way to tell your tale is if you do you- so this summer you can explore everything it means to be yourself. Only read manga? You do you! Only want to make art? You do you! Want to explore nature? You do you! This teen summer program will encourage you to explore the interests that make you unique and let you tell the world your tale. Prize entries will be earned when you Read, Create, Play, Explore, or Tell Us Who You Are.
Open to all entering grades 6-12. Tell Your Tale: You Do You runs between July 1st – August 21st. Registration begins June 1st.
For Teens in Grades 9+ and Adults
Some Assembly Required
A summer maker competition for high schoolers and adults
July 1 – August 21
We are very excited to announce the second annual Collaboratory Summer Program, “Some Assembly Required,” which begins on July 1st. The program is a maker contest consisting of different categories with one grand prize. The categories this year are: Art, B&W Photography, Color Photography, DIY, Express Yourself!, Textile Arts, and Videography.
A winner from each field will be chosen through voting via the Library’s social media. In the event of a tie, Collaboratory staff will be the tie breakers. The winners of each category will receive a special laser cut prize, and the project that receives the most votes overall will receive the grand prize: a Collaboratory-made trophy along with a gift card to the Wallingford business of their choice. Submissions will be made by email. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to accept in-person submissions this year.
Review Complete Contest Guidelines
For Adults
Tell Your Tale: Follow Your Own Path
July 1 – August 22
This summer WPL invites adults to take part in Tell Your Tale: Follow Your Own Path, a summer program for adults. Earn buttons and the chance to win great prizes by taking part in activities that promote connection, curiosity, reflection, and joy as a community and as individuals (and of course, by reading!). Participation is easy and fun, and the best part is that you can do it your OWN way!
A paper version of the program is available for anyone with limited internet access. Contact Leah Farrell at lfarrell@wallingfordlibrary.org or (203)284-6425 for details.
For All Ages
Library CardTales
July 1 – August 21
This summer take your library card on an adventure or let your library card take you on an adventure! Whether you are travelling the world on a daring trip or just daring to take a picnic at the park at the end of the street, snap a photo of your library card on your adventures abroad or at home this summer. Are you the type of person that finds adventures in books? That’s fine too! Take a photo of your library card with that book!
Beginning July 1st, send your Library CardTales photos to Publicity and Public Services Librarian, Chris Ciemniewski at cciemniewski@wallingfordlibrary.org and describe what kind of adventure you and your library card went on. We’ll share the photos on social media with the hashtag #LibraryCardTales. Everyone who submits a photo by August 21st will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card. Three winners will be selected at random! Happy adventuring!