Detroit’s youth can immerse themselves in a universe of endless exploration, without ever leaving the heart of Detroit. All it takes is the turn of a page. Summer presents a sterling opportunity to fortify a child’s connection with literature, freed from the constraints of homework or school deadlines.
As we emerge from the shadow of the pandemic, this summer marks the first time that the majority of Detroit Public Library branches are rolling out their in-person summer reading programs across the city, confirms Vernadette McAllister, the diligent interim children and teen services librarian at the Detroit Public Library. This year, the library’s commitment to enrichment is strikingly visible, their offerings spanning a vibrant spectrum: reading challenges, collaborative initiatives with Lego and the Michigan Science Center, and craft sessions designed to captivate and engage children and teens from all walks of life.
Here’s what’s happening at the library this summer:
- The library is focusing on its Beanstack summer reading program in particular, which starts July 1 and goes through August. It challenges children of all ages who can read independently to track the minutes they’re reading. As they track, they can participate in raffles for prizes and earn badges by visiting their local library branch.
- In a partnership with Lego and the Michigan Science Center called Build the Change, the library, in different events throughout the summer, will introduce kids to three pressing world issues: protecting native species, eliminating waste and rewilding bees.
- Kids will also be encouraged to use Legos at events to build an idea that would help solve a world problem.
- With Detroit Public TV, the library is passing out literacy activity booklets to encourage kids to engage with reading.
- With the Detroit Housing Commission, the library will visit children living in public housing, passing out books to keep and encouraging library card signups.
- The library has partnered with Huron Clinton Metroparks for different library events for children about native animals and plants.