Memorial Hall Library is calling on every reader in Andover to help close a gap. The library's Summer Reading Challenge set a community goal of one million minutes of reading, and with two weeks left before the Saturday, Aug. 15 deadline, staff say it's going to be close.
If Andover hits the mark, the library will throw a free outdoor celebration on Friday, Aug. 21, featuring Kimberly's Pocket Circus, free ice cream from J.P. Licks, live music, games, and a chance to dunk a librarian in a dunk tank, according to the town events calendar. The Friends of Memorial Hall Library and J.P. Licks are sponsoring the party.
The challenge, which opened June 15, is open to all ages. Kids, adults, and seniors can register individually or as a family through the library's Beanstack page and log minutes there.
A staff member identified as Dean wrote on the library's website Saturday, Aug. 1, that the community needs "everybody to log their minutes" to reach the goal. No specific tally has been published, but the post made clear the outcome is not guaranteed.
The program has already stretched beyond the library's walls. On July 27, the Children's Room brought an intergenerational storytime to the Robb Center, Andover's senior center, pairing the town's youngest readers with older residents.
For readers hunting for their next book, the library suggests browsing the New York Times best sellers list, the BookBrowse website, or stopping by the Hot Titles and Book Club Book collections on the shelves at 2 North Main St.
Memorial Hall Library is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Coming up at Memorial Hall Library:
- Summer Reading Challenge closes Saturday, Aug. 15
- Summer Reading Celebration (if goal is met): Friday, Aug. 21
