The Warsaw Public Library staff and board invite Warsaw youth to “Plant a Seed, Read. Let reading, imagination, and curiosity grow this summer at Warsaw Public Library!” A “fun-filled Summer Reading Program with reading challenges, exciting activities, and great prizes” awaits at 1025 Webster St.
Beginning June 1, children and their families have had opportunities to connect, to interact while learning and exploring during fun activities and story time on Thursdays at 11 a.m. A visit from the Quincy Children’s Museum on June 4 attracted more than 50 children and their parents for outdoor hands-on fun. More than 45 youngsters and their parents enjoyed the “Plant Curiosity!” science activity with balloons in the community room on June 11; the children made them “sing, float, and soar through the air like a rocket!” A “Safe Paws” program, featuring Andy, the Newfoundland, and “Llama, Llama” was offered Thursday, June 18.
The staff has outlined “Plant a Seed, Read” program rules and requirements as follows:
All books used for credit in the summer reading program must be checked out from the Warsaw Public Library. Adult large print books may not be used unless special arrangements are made. Children may only turn in books for prizes once daily. Youth must read books that are at their reading level or above. Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak with a librarian in the event that they are concerned about a book’s suitability.
Children will receive a prize for the first ten orange or blue books or reading 100 pages of red or yellow books. For the next 20 orange or blue books read, or reading 200 pages of red or yellow books, they will receive a prize of their own choosing from the prize box. For the next 30 orange or blue books, or for 300 pages of red or yellow books, youth will be entered into the grand prize drawing. After reaching 30 books or 300 pages, youth will receive an additional entry for the grand prize for every 10 books or 100 pages read. The program ends July 31.
The staff and library board would also like the public to be aware of State Senator Neil Anderson’s 2026 Summer Reading Club and his invitation for youth entering first-twelfth grades that reside in the 47th Senate District, and parts of the 53rd District, to read eight books over the summer. Anderson believes that “A new adventure begins with a book!” To encourage students to maintain their reading skills over the summer, and foster connections through like-minded interests in literature, he has provided a form, available at the library, for students to list the books they read and submit to him at this address: 103 N. College Avenue, No. 201, Aledo, IL 61231, by July 31 to receive a certificate from the Illinois Senate! Questions may be directed to Abbey at apeterson@sgop.ilga.gov.
The McDonald’s Happy McReaders program, “an annual literacy incentive” which ends Sept. 30, also encourages continual reading throughout the summer. Children who visit the library can receive a card which can be punched every time they complete a book; upon completing the tenth book, they can get the final hole punched in their card and visit a local McDonald’s restaurant to redeem their free Happy Meal. They may then request another punch card and begin reading another set of 10 books. Children may read as many books as they like for multiple completed cards but only one Happy Meal will be redeemed per visit.
“Plant a Seed!” Embark on a new adventure! Read this summer!