by Kate Evans
The Paw Paw Public Library’s summer program is called “Oceans of Possibilities” and is full of summer reading fun for ages 1-100. The program begins on Tuesday, July 12. Summer reading program participants should come to the library the week of July 5 and sign up, said Paw Paw Library Director Ginny DeFrancesco.
Activities
Programs and activities include fish painting, escape rooms, ocean pouring painting, dissecting a shark, shark trackers, virtual aquariums, making ocean bracelets, touring the Appalachian Lab in Frostburg and more.
DeFrancesco said the Appalachian Lab does research on oceans, the Chesapeake Bay and climate change. The field trip is limited to 12 people with the room they have in their vehicle, but more can attend if parents are willing to follow them there in their own vehicles.
Escape rooms is a game for all ages where everyone has to have a plan to save themselves if they fall in the ocean or experience a building break-in, DeFrancesco said. It will be focused on oceans.
A Towson University professor will conduct a dissection on a pregnant shark, she said. They’ll also have a variety of crafts. Kids will use rubber fish to paint t-shirts. They’ll also make coasters with seashells. Children will also receive books as part of the summer reading program.
Luau finale
DeFrancesco said they plan to take summer program participants swimming at Berkeley Springs State Park. The program’s grand finale is a Hawaiian luau with kids and adults at the Town of Paw Paw Park on August 5.
On Friday mornings during the summer program Children’s Librarian Janice Ross will read a book and do a craft for ages 2-7 that are related to oceans. The storytime and crafts hour is from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
DeFrancesco said that Paw Paw Public Library got a $2,300 grant for the summer reading program from the Tom and Virginia Seely Foundation. The grant will cover the costs of crafts, t-shirts, virtual tours, travel to Frostburg, the costs for swimming and the costs for a monitor for the virtual aquariums.
DeFrancesco noted that the library won the grand prize for the Paw Paw Memorial Day Parade float. The $125 prize they won went toward supplies for the summer reading program.
Library hours
Paw Paw Public Library is open every day through the week from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. except for Thursday when it’s open from 10:00 to 7:00 p.m. The library closes from 1:00-2:00 p.m. every day. Paw Paw Public Library is closed on Saturday and Sunday. For more information about the summer program, call 304-947-7013.
