Mansfield steps up for Summer Reading Challenge

The Mansfield Public Library challenged local readers and they stepped up. Readers have been booking it to the library for the Summer Reading Challenge.

“Participation has been amazing,” said Julie Crisafulli, youth service librarian. “We’ve seen our numbers back to where they were before the pandemic and even beyond. All of our programs are filling up and people are on the wait list. It’s so great to see the library full up and bustling.”

The Summer Reading Challenge has two parts – programs and reading.

Crisafulli has to take some credit for people crowding into the library after lining up interactive programs that include the Professor Brainius science show, kids in the kitchen, Mystery of the Missing Band, movie matinees, tons of story times and crafts.

All programs are free, but some require registration at mansfieldtexas.gov/calendar. And if you really want to attend, you need to sign up.

“If anyone is interested in a particular program, registration opens two weeks before the event at 10 a.m.,” Crisafulli said. “We had a Fancy Nancy tea party planned. It sold out in 10 minutes.”

The library has free performances on Wednesdays in July that don’t require registration and are held in the Mansfield Activities Center so there will be plenty of room.

As for the reading portion, that’s been updated, too. Instead of focusing on the number of minutes read, the library is asking participants to log how many days they read this summer, with 20 days being the goal. The more participants read, the better chance they have to win a prize, Crisafulli said. Prizes range from books to Flying Squirrel Coffee Company prize pack.

Elementary and middle school readers can earn extra prizes, including a Kindle Fire HD8 Kids Pro, author-signed books, Squishmallows and a giant candy basket from AndiMac Candy Shack.

“If they read five days they get a treasure chest prize, 10 days a drawstring bag, 15 days a book of their choice, 20 days a book of their choice,” Crisafulli said.

Families can log their hours on the Beanstack tracker app at Mansfieldtexas. gov/src. The deadline to log hours is 11:59 p.m. July 26, and the grand prize drawing will be July 27.

The reading and programs wrap up with a big end-of-summer party at 10 a.m. July 28 at the Mansfield Activities Center, 106 S. Wisteria St., with bounce houses, prizes and pop-up play time. Admission is free.

Youngsters who attend programs at the library can also score a free lunch this summer. Everyone age 17 and younger can get a free lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday at the library through the Mansfield ISD Student Nutrition Services, except the week of Independence Day.

“We’re so ecstatic to see all the families using our services,” Crisafulli said. “The mornings are bustling with programs, free lunches, then programs in the afternoons. It’s hopping all day long.”

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