Free reading program at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library

Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library has a free reading program for all ages — A Universe of Stories — open to HWPL cardholders. The program corresponds with the celebration of the first moon landing. The library is joining the space race and commemorating this landmark achievement.

In the Youth Services Department, for children up to 2, there is the Early Literacy Summer Reading Incentive Kit with an activity sheet for parents and children to do together, a placemat and rubber ducky. Children, age 3 to fifth grade, can register for our Summer Reading Incentive Initiative and receive a folder including a summer reading record, prizes and more — this also includes registration for our weekly craft table!

Once again we are holding our Teen Summer Reading Contest for grades six to 12. Enter for a chance to win an Amazon gift card by filling out a reading review contest entry form for every book you read this summer. Deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 12. Winners will be notified two days later.

There also will be a special Gordon Korman gift card. If you read and review a Gordon Korman book, it’s an additional chance to win a gift card. This is for all children in grades six to 12.

For the adults, sign up at the Information Desk. You’ll get some sign-up items and reading lists for inspiration. There is also a gift for each child who convinces a grown-up to register. Before the end of August, read or listen to at least two books and submit your reviews of those books HWPL. On Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., we’ll host a book-exchange event and present prizes to randomly selected participants. Last year tote bags, Amazon gift cards and a shopping bag filled with treats from Trader Joe’s were the giveaways.

The library also wants to hear your memories of the summer of ’69 about the moon landing and anything else from that summer. For this project, we’re inviting you to record your memories for us orally or in writing. Beginning July 1, you can make an appointment to meet with one of our librarians who will help you recollect that exciting year. If you’d prefer to write something on your own, we will have a display set up that you can add to. Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, 1125 Broadway, Hewlett. (516) 374-1967.

–Jeffrey Bessen