Blackwater Regional Library

2021 Summer Reading Program

June 28 – August 7, 2021

Tails and Tales 2021 Summer Reading Program is coming to a library near you!  We hope you enjoy the weekly activities offered throughout the summer, and we encourage you to take time to explore your library, inside and out, as some of our locations have scheduled outdoor events as well.  

Week 1: Participants will receive a backpack to carry all of their library materials – better known as library treasures!

Weeks 1-6: Children visiting the library, to pick-up “Take and Make” activities, will also receive weekly “Brag Tags” to show their participation.  

     

Thank you for stopping by, we hope you have an awesome summer!

 

Carrollton Branch: 757-238-2641

The Carrollton Branch will offer “Take and Make” activities for children and teens, as well as, weekly Storywalks to enjoy! Week 6 – Celebration Week, participants are encouraged to visit the library to pick up their summer reading certificate and free book, as well as, register to visit the outdoor Jungle Obstacle Course!  Activities begin the week of June 28, 2021.

  • Week 1 – Pet Parrots (PreK), Balancing Birds (kids), Pom Pom Parrots (teens)
  • Outdoor Storywalk – Something Wonderful written by Matt Ritter
  • Week 2 – Frog Clothespin (PreK), Talking Frogs (kids), Animal Manga Zines (teens)
  • Outdoor Storywalk – Once Upon a Unicorn’s Horn written by Beatrice Blue
  • Week 3 – Jungle Play (PreK), Bug Box (kids), Terrarium Keychains (teens)
  • Outdoor Storywalk – Giraffes Can’t Dance written by Giles Andreae
  • Week 4 – Paper Sloth (PreK), Chenille Stem Chameleons and Koalas (kids), Sloth Notepads (teens)
  • Outdoor Storywalk – Stretchy McHandsome written by Judith Byron Schachner
  • Week 5 – Yarn Animal Tails (PreK), Fluttering Butterflies (kids), Butterfly Puddlers (teens)
  • Outdoor Storywalk – How to Find an Elephant written by Kate Banks
  • Week 6 – Celebration Week and Jungle Obstacle Course (registration required)

 

Claremont Branch: 757-866-8627

The Claremont Branch will offer weekly “Take and Make” and outdoor activities for children on the following dates:

  • June 29 – Wiggly Wood Snake
  • July 6 – Make a Dragon
  • July 13 – Beaded Animal Necklace
  • July 20 – Crocodile Costume
  • July 27 – Colorful Pasta Fish
  • August 3 – Bubble Wrap Paper Dragon

Outdoor activities will be held on the above dates at 10am.  Registration is required; space is limited!

 

Courtland Branch: 757-653-2821

The Courtland Branch will offer weekly “Take and Make” activities, as well as, outdoor Storywalk activities (registration is not required to attend the outdoor story walk). Activities begin June 29, 2021.

  • Week 1 – Design Your Own Bookmark
  • Week 2 – Glow in the Dark Bug Clothespin Magnet
  • Week 3 – Animal Fan
  • Week 4 – Safari Suncatchers
  • Week 5 – Mini Block Lion
  • Week 6 – DIY Foam Notebooks

June 29 – August 7, 2021 – Teens will have the opportunity to participate in the Battleship Challenge to locate and sink the library’s battleship!  (Ask staff for details)

Outdoor activities will include:

  • Petting Zoo – July 27, 2021 (weather permitting; all ages; 11am-12pm)
  • Gamer Bus – June 30, 2021 (1-3pm; ages 12-17; registration required)
  • Storywalks featuring “Llama Llama Mess Mess Mess” by Anna Dewdney (June 26 – July 17, 2021) and “Summer Song” by Kevin Henkes (July 19 – August 7, 2021)
  • Outdoor Movie Night – August 4, 2021 “The Gabby Douglas Story” (weather permitting; 7pm; lawn seating, bring a chair/blanket and drinks/snacks)

 

Franklin Branch: 757-562-4801

The Franklin Branch will offer weekly “Take and Make” activities, as well as, outdoor Storywalk activities (registration is not required to attend the outdoor story walk). Activities begin June 28, 2021.

  • Week 1 – Patriotic Visor
  • Week 2 – Crab Headband
  • Week 3 – Jellyfish Cup Craft
  • Week 4 – Fish Mobile
  • Week 5 – Floating Submarine
  • Week 6 – Flip-Flop Picture Frame

June 28 – August 7, 2021 – Join the Franklin library in a game of Clue to solve the summer’s BIG mystery! (Ask staff for details)

  • Gamer Bus –  June 30 (10am-12pm; ages 12-17; registration required)
  • Storywalks featuring “Pete the Cat at the Beach” by James Dean (June 28 – July 17, 2021) and “Hooray for Summer” by Kazuo Iwamura (July 19 – August 7, 2021)

 

Smithfield Branch: 757-357-2264

The Smithfield Branch will offer “Take and Make” activities for children and teens, as well as, weekly activity sheets to complete a scavenger hunt, word scramble, riddles, trivia, and more! Week 6 – Celebration Week, participants are encouraged to visit the library to pick up their summer reading certificate and free book.  Activities begin the week of June 28, 2021.

  • Week 1 – Mermaid & Pirates (PreK), Chenille Stem Octopus (kids), Beach in a Bottle (teens)
  • Week 2 – Clothespin Fish (PreK), Balancing Birds (kids), Stuffed Narwhal (teens)
  • Week 3 – Suncatcher Jellyfish (PreK), Diving Squids (kids), Tie Dye Shells (teens)
  • Week 4 – Turtles (PreK), Articulated Fish (kids), Sand Bowls (teens)
  • Week 5 – Shark Hats (PreK), Aquariums (kids), Water Color Bookmarks (teens)
  • Week 6 – Celebration Week!

 

Surry Branch: 757-294-3949

The Surry Branch will offer weekly “Take and Make” and outdoor activities for children on the following dates:

  • July 1 – Wiggly Wood Snake
  • July 8 – Make a Dragon
  • July 15 – Beaded Animal Necklace
  • July 22 – Crocodile Costume
  • July 29 – Colorful Pasta Fish
  • August 5 – Bubble Wrap Paper Dragon

Outdoor activities will be held on the above dates at 10am and 12pm.  Registration is required; space is limited!

 

Wakefield Branch: 757-899-6500

The Wakefield Branch will offer weekly “Take and Make” activities and prize drawings for children. Activities begin the week of June 28, 2021. Enter weekly prize drawings, and the grand prize drawing for a $100 Walmart gift card, when checking out!

  • Week 1 – Patriotic Windsock
  • Week 2 – Zoo Animal Necklace
  • Week 3 – Mini Block Lion
  • Week 4 – Mosiac Fish
  • Week 5 – Dino Squishes
  • Week 6 – Safari Magnet

 

Waverly Branch: 804-834-2192

The Waverly Branch will offer weekly “Take and Make” activities and prize drawings for children. Activities begin the week of June 28, 2021. Enter weekly prize drawings, and the grand prize drawing for a $100 Walmart gift card, when checking out!

  • Week 1 – DIY Wooden Snake
  • Week 2 – Beaker Creatures
  • Week 3 – DIY Binoculars
  • Week 4 – Mini Block Lions
  • Week 5 – DIY Shark Bank
  • Week 6 – Mosiac Parrot

 

Windsor Branch: 757-242-3046

The Windsor Branch will offer weekly “Take and Make” activities for children and teens. Activities begin the week of June 28, 2021.

  • Week 1 – Patriotic Glasses (kids and teens)
  • Week 2 – Footprint Scavenger Hunt (kids), Origami Animal Craft Kit (teens)
  • Week 3 – Fish Craft (kids), Butterfly Bookmark (teens)
  • Week 4 – Parrot Craft (kids), Magic Kit (teens)
  • Week 5 – Reptile/Amphibian Craft (kids), Manga Contest Kit (teens)
  • Week 6 – Celebration Week!

Join us for a special presentation: Monday, July 12, 2021/11:00am/Windsor Town Center (23361 Courthouse Hwy, Windsor, VA).
Harold Wood and the Magic Library: Using the art of magic to captivate, circus artist Harold Wood takes participants on an enchanted tour of the library.
(This program was made possible through grant funding provided by Arts4Learning)

 

  • Mission

    Our purpose is to
    provide online and print resources,
    access to innovative technologies 
    and a skilled staff to patrons
    in our service area.

  • Contact Us

    info@blackwaterlib.org

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  • Who We Serve

    Blackwater Regional Library
    serves the communities of:
    Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry
    and Sussex Counties 
    and the City of Franklin

This site is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is managed by the The Library of Virginia Library Development and Networking Division.