Bostwick to kick off Summer Reading Program

The Bostwick library has plans for all kinds of fun activities over the next eight weeks starting 10 a.m.-noon Saturday when the Putnam County Library System kicks off its 2023 Summer Reading Program “All Together Now.”

An animal expert from the Jacksonville Zoo will visit the library, 125 Tillman St. in Palatka, during the kickoff. The zoo is expected to bring some of its unique residents, including a variety of reptiles and other live animals. The zoo program will be from 10-10:45 a.m. outside the library under a tent and a question and answer session will follow. Admission is free and the program is for all ages.

The Bostwick kickoff is sponsored by the Putnam County Library Board, in cooperation with Friends of Bostwick Library and the Putnam County Library System.

Claudia Wilkinson, who was the Bostwick librarian for 16 years until she retired in 2016, now serves as a volunteer with Friends of Bostwick Library.

“The summer program is a good way to keep children learning and for them not to forget about books while having fun,” she said. “Maybe they can’t go to the beach, but they can check out a book and it can take them on an adventure.”

Wilkinson said the Friends group’s mission is to help the local libraries grow.

“We also help provide good books for the patrons,” she said. “A lot of people, even in Bostwick, don’t know there is a library available. If they see something they are interested in, such as the zoo visit, they might come and check us out.”

Other activities during the library’s eight-week program that ends July 29 includes pour painting classes for teens, adults and kids, paper airplane flight school, sidewalk chalk art, Makerspace “Make-It” craft kits, creative classes for adults with Cricut and Glowforge projects, fantasy map drawing classes, family board game nights and adult board game nights. Family movie night will start at 4 p.m. every Friday at the Bostwick Library and weekly story times will be offered.

Anyone can stop by any of the Putnam County libraries and pick up a schedule of events or visit online at FuninPutnam.com. For details about specific programs at any of the branches, contact Mischa or Brooke at the Palatka library at 386-329-0126 or email Mischa Johns at mischa.johns@putnam-fl.gov or Brooke Conway at  brooke.conway@putnam-fl.gov.

The following Putnam County libraries have programs scheduled:

– Palatka library, 601 College Road in Palatka. For details, call 386-329-0126.

– Bostwick library, 125 Tillman St. in Palatka. Call 386-326-2750.

– Interlachen library, 133 N. County Road 315 in Interlachen. Call 386-684-1602.

– Melrose library, 312 Wynwood Ave. in Melrose. For details, call 352-475-1237.

– Crescent City library, 610 N. Summit St. in Crescent City. For details, call 386-698-2600.

According to Meghan McCuiston-Boerman, manager of the Bostwick Branch Library since March, she hopes the kickoff serves to show the community that the library is more than just a collection of books.

“We are a meeting place,” she said. “A place to read and learn, a place to relax and a place to have fun.”

When guests arrive Saturday, they will be asked to sign in and be seated. They will then be given registration paperwork for the Putnam County Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

Following the zoo program, children can pick up a goodie bag and welcome packet. Families will also be encouraged to visit inside the library to make the craft in the goodie bag “or simply enjoy the library atmosphere,” McCuiston-Boerman said. Those who do not have a library card can apply for them at this time. Children can also take time to enjoy the playground nearby.

Goody bags will include a juice box, animal crackers, a ruler, a book and craft kit. The first bags distributed will also have handcrafted reptile eggs made from sand, coffee grounds, flour and salt with a small surprise inside participants can keep as a memento of the occasion. A limited number of the eggs will be available.

For details on the Bostwick kickoff, call McCuiston-Boerman at 386-326-2750 or email meghan.mccuiston-boerman@putnam-fl.gov.

Meghan McCuiston-Boerman has high expectations for those who attend the kickoff this weekend.

“I expect lots of smiling faces and fun learning with animals,” she said. “I look forward to seeing all kinds of lovely people who will be joining us for the eight weeks of programming as we learn and play together.”