Our Summer Reading program runs through July and August, while our Winter Reading program runs through January and February. Both are centered around merit badges, which can be earned by patrons of any age.

Each badge is earned through a combination of reading books and doing projects. Books and projects are to be centered around the theme of the badge, and badges can be earned by patrons of all ages.

In addition to receiving the badge itself, for each badge earned, we put a book into the library collection in the participant’s name.

While the Library offers lots of related programming, we also encourage participants to do things independently: taking a trip to the ocean to explore the tide pools for the Ocean Badge, or to an art museum for the Art Badge, or to a Maine State Park for the Maine Badge, for example.

Badges are presented at various Badge Ceremonies throughout the year; participants who are unable to attend are able to pick their badges up at the Library at any time after that.