Celebrate Summer Reading With Kickoff Event Featuring Live Music, Stories, Crafts, Lawn Games!

Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Inside and Outside, Abbot Public Library at Eveleth School

For all ages

Abbot Public Library's Summer Reading program launches Saturday, June 10 with a Kickoff Celebration on the grounds of the interim space at 3 Brook Road.

“Find Your Voice” through stories this summer. Readers are invited to explore thematic book lists for all ages on our website at abbotlibrary.org/news, recommended by staff librarians. Titles are also available as e-books and/or e-audio. 

Reading during the summer months helps kids develop a love of independent reading and keeps their literacy skills strong. Visit the library for fun programs, book recommendations and resources. 

From June 10 to Aug. 18, teens will be invited to make a pledge to read three books. Children are invited to participate in our Summer Reading incentive program. With every ten titles read, participants will receive a free book or small prize. Pre-readers are welcome to participate with help from their caregivers. On Aug. 18, we will celebrate the close of Summer Reading with an Ice Cream Cup Giveaway to all participants. The top three readers for the summer in each major age bracket will receive a gift certificate of $25.00 to a local bookstore. 

Teens will be invited to make a pledge to read three books and stop by the library for fun programs during the summer. 

Books on the Marblehead Schools Summer Reading lists will be available for checkout at the library in late June. 

Join us on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a celebration of summer reading. The event will be held rain or shine. If it rains, we will move the outdoor activities inside.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Crafts and Toys for Children

Children are invited to visit the Children’s Room to sign up for our Summer Reading incentive program or borrow books, color and play with toys.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Friends of Abbot Public Library Book Sale

The Friends of Abbot Public Library will be having a book sale outside. Stop by for good deals on books and library merch. Get ready for a summer of reading with one of Abbot Public Library’s beach towels!

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Sustainable Marblehead 

Stop by Sustainable Marblehead’s table for a special activity, book recommendations for your budding environmentalists and a chance to win a book to help you get outside and explore this summer. 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - STEAM Activity with Marblehead Water & Sewer Commission and Department of Public Works 

Marblehead Water & Sewer Commission and Department of Public Works will be offering a Coloring Contest for Keeping our Waters Clean and a water sampling demonstration.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Council on Aging

The COA will be offering mini herb gardens. Pick a colorful pot with soil and choose which seedling packet to plant.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Other Outdoor Activities

Lawn games, temporary tattoos, chalk drawing and a reading station with Marblehead Schools Parent Councils will be available outside. 

10:30 a.m. - Musical Story Time with Rockabye Beats (for ages 3-5)

Sing, play, explore instruments, dance, pretend and show off your goofy side with Shon Gordon of Rockabye Beats. It’s a chance for children and parents to have fun and come together as a community to jump into the world of music! Visit their website at rockabyebeats.com. 

This program is supported by the Oliver P. Killam, Jr. Fund.

12 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Shubie’s Snacks Available for Purchase

Shubie’s will be selling snacks outside. 

1 p.m. - “It’s Just a Rug,” by Jodi Charles Picture Book Reading and Activity (for children up to age 12)

Marblehead author Jodi-Tatiana Charles is a first generation American born to loving Haitian parents and a self-made grandmother. Her strong family roots have instilled in her a pride in her family's culture and heritage, and she wants to share that celebration of diversity with her readers. 

She is always curious to seek out new and adventurous ways to learn and to embrace others for their differences and unique qualities. She is an avid global traveler and dedicates her time to children, the elderly, and cancer causes, through road races, mentoring, and volunteering. Following in her grandmother's footsteps, she has crafted a career of educating entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, and small-business professionals on the importance of growing and marketing their unique brands.

2 p.m. - Dan Blakeslee - Music for the whole family!

With a suitcase of songs, Maine folk troubadour Dan Blakeslee ventured into the smoke laden subways of Boston in 1995 to practice his craft, and has since toured the U.S. and performed with Josh Ritter, Sean Rowe, David Wax Museum, Lydia Loveless, The Lumineers, Old 97's, The Black Lillies, Liam Finn, and Kimya Dawson among others. His songs of true life adventures combine the essence of early folk music with a dose of country grit. In 2015, his dream of playing Newport Folk Festival became a reality, the location where Bob Dylan went electric 50 years earlier." Visit his website at danblakeslee.com. 

This program is supported by the Oliver P. Killam, Jr. Fund. 

2:30 p.m. - Terry’s Ice Cream Truck 

Terry’s Ice Cream Truck will stop by to close off the Summer Reading Kickoff!

For additional information, please visit www.abbotlibrary.org, email mar@noblenet.org or call 781-631-1481.