Caledon Public Library has planned a summer of fun

Here's a look at some of what's going on at the library this summer

By Zachary Roman

The folks at the Caledon Public Library (CPL) have been waiting for the nice weather all year.

The CPL has prepared a variety of initiatives and programs for the summer, and is looking to engage with Caledon residents so they can take advantage of all the library has to offer.

The CPL's adult summer reading challenge is currently ongoing.

It began July 4, and runs until August 28. Until the challenge ends, readers can complete weekly activities for a chance to win a gift card from a local business. All a Caledon resident has to do is complete a weekly challenge, then fill out a form on CPL's website at caledon.library.on.ca/asr/ to be entered to win a gift card. The challenge for the week ending July 17 is to read a book by an Indigenous author, or explore CPL's Truth and Reconciliation page on its website and do some learning. Next week's challenge, ending July 24, is to read a book that's been recommended on CPL's Reasons2Read Facebook page, or to recommend a book on CPL's Reasons2Read Facebook page.

Kids and teens can participate in a fun summer reading challenge with CPL too. Using an app called Beanstack, kids and teens can log the time they spend reading throughout the summer, up until September 6. They'll earn points for each minute they spend reading, and for completing bonus challenges. Points will get them raffle tickets which will enter them in prize draws for gift cards, books, tasty treats and more.

Another interesting book-related challenge happening for teens is CPL's annual Battle of the Books. The CPL has curated eight titles it thinks teens will enjoy reading, and they can all be checked out from the CPL. Once teens are done reading a book, they can vote for it on CPL's website or through the @teensofcpl Instagram account. The battle runs until August 29, when there will only be one book standing after the others are eliminated in head-to-head vote battles.

An escape room challenge for teens is being held at the Albion Bolton branch of the CPL on July 19, where teens will need to find clues and solve puzzles before time runs out. And on July 28, there's a teen trivia night being held at the Southfields Village branch of the CPL. Teens can attend in person or virtually on Zoom, and compete to win by answering questions about “anime to video games, super heros to TV shows, and anything in between” according to CPL's website. Prizes will be handed out to the top three pop-culture trivia whizzes after the event.

For the little ones ages 6 and under, there are some themed story times happening this summer. “A day at the beach” story time will be taking place on July 14 at the Alton branch and on August 8 at the Southfields Village branch. Both story times start at 10:30 a.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring a beach towel and prepare for songs, stories and crafts outside. The second story time is the competition everyone's been waiting for: “unicorns vs. dragons” story time. This story time will be taking place on July 25 in Caledon East branch and on July 29 in Caledon Village branch. Both story times start at 10:30 a.m. and attendees can expect to complete some magical crafts after the stories are finished.

For a full list of events and programs happening this summer at the CPL, visit its calendar of events page on the CPL website.