Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center
Weekly in-person summer-reading experiences offer fun and flexibility!
In order to accommodate differing family schedules, we're offering the same session on three different days during each week of summer reading. The entire family is invited to join us either:
Tuesdays from 4:30PM-5:30PM
Wednesdays from 2PM-3PM
Thursdays from 10:30AM-11:30AM
Welcome to summer reading 2022!
Mark your calendars for this year's summer reading program at the Giddings Public Library! We're so excited to be back this year. Children age 18 months-17 years old can participate. Summer reading runs from June 6-July 15. Registration begins May 2 and continues through July 15.
Join Ms. Taylor online for unique summer-reading content just for YouTube.
Join us in thanking our generous sponsors!
Antioch Baptist Church
Giddings Breakfast Lions Club
Giddings Masonic Lodge
Giddings New Horizons Lions Club
Here's how to participate in this year's program
Step one: Get a library membership! Each child will need his or her own library membership to register.
Parents have two options to choose from when getting a library membership for their children
Standard student card: Children who can sign their own name are eligible for a standard “student” card from the library. Student cards are valid for two years.
Temporary underage membership: Children who can’t yet sign their name are eligible for a temporary “underage membership” that they’ll use just for summer reading. The underage membership does not require a library card, and it automatically expires when summer reading is over.
Step two: Register for summer reading with any librarian at the Giddings Public Library May 2-July 15. Parents will receive a welcome letter with program details. Register in May during our free book giveaway! Any child who registers for summer reading during the month of May will receive a free bag of books to add to their home library. We'll give away bags of books the entire month, or until all the books are gone!
Step three: Begin reading. Keep track of your reading time using your reading log. Once you complete a level, bring your reading log to the library anytime between June 6-July 15 and pick up your prize.
Step four: Attend one of our optional (but really cool!) weekly in-person summer-reading experiences. In order to accommodate differing family schedules, we're offering the same session on three different days during each week of summer reading. The entire family is invited to join us either:
Tuesdays from 4:30PM-5:30PM
Wednesdays from 2PM-3PM
Thursdays from 10:30AM-11:30AM
Step five: Keep reading! You have until July 15 to finish reading and earn prizes. If you finish your reading log, ask a librarian for a sheet of bonus tickets to enter the bonus drawing. Bonus tickets are available to children age 3-17. There's no limit to how many bonus tickets children can enter into the bonus drawing. We'll draw randomly to give away eight bicycles for children age 3-12. Teenagers 13-17 can enter bonus tickets into the drawing for a teen night out.
Step six: Celebrate the end of summer reading with a party Friday, July 15, at 12PM at the library.
Teen internship offers opportunity for service hours
June 2, 2022: Interns have been selected! Thanks to all the young people who applied. We appreciate your help!
May 21, 2022: Applications are now closed. Students who applied for the internship will receive a phone interview with Ms. Taylor the week of May 23, 2022.
April 4, 2022: Applications are open for our 2022 summer-reading internship. The internship is open to young people between the ages of 12-17. Our annual internship program is an integral part of summer reading and offers an opportunity for youth in our community to practice communication skills, leadership, and team building in a professional environment.
Selected interns will work together to prepare the summer-reading program by creating displays, preparing craft supplies, arranging props, and leading activities. Interns will also learn an array of library-specific tasks such as book cataloging and processing, shelving books according to the Dewey Decimal Classification, and shelving books alphabetically by author. Read the FAQ below for answers to frequent questions about the internship.
The internship is competitive since only a few slots are available. We typically receive more applications than we can accept, and we’re grateful that so many young people want to work with us every summer. Interested? Complete the application below to apply. The application deadline is May 20, 2022.
Summer-reading internship FAQ
What if I can't work every week of the summer? Can I still apply?
Yes! We understand that schedules are busy, and families often travel over the summer. We can work around your schedule. There is, however, a required orientation the afternoon of Friday, June 3, that all interns must attend with a legal guardian (usually a parent).
What exactly will I be doing during the internship?
You'll be working with your fellow interns to help the children's librarian set up and run the summer-reading program. You might be printing resources, cutting and laminating, accepting children's reading logs, handing out prizes, setting up crafts and activities, arranging the meeting room, working with children, leading crafts, cleaning after events, talking with parents, checking books in/out, and other responsibilities.
Who is the "boss" of the program?
Award-winning children's librarian Taylor Lara supervises the internship. Library director Jessi Akins also provides leadership and oversight. Additionally, interns might work with other members of our library staff.
What will I wear to the internship?
Jeans and a summer-reading T-shirt (provided).
Will I get paid?
The summer-reading internship is unpaid. However, most of our interns feel richly rewarded for serving their community.
Will I have fun at the internship?
That's entirely up to you! You'll certainly have plenty of opportunities for enjoyment. Our librarians look forward to working with the summer interns every year. You will definitely work hard, and at the end of the summer, you'll be able to reflect on all you've accomplished. Previous interns have returned year after year, because they love the internship so much!
I don't get it; why would anyone want to spend their summer at the library?
Serving the community is a rewarding experience. In addition, our library staff is a pretty cool bunch.
Will I have to be quiet the entire time?
Although summer reading occurs at the library, we enjoy the sounds of happy children. You will not have to be quiet the entire time. During all on-site experiences, the noise level at the library is similar to what you would expect at a playground. There are times, however, when our interns will be preparing for on-site experiences in the midst of day-to-day library activities. During these times, inside voices are appreciated. We are not, however, a silent library. We revel in everyday interactions with our members, so we regularly communicate using inside talking voices.
Will you be able to give me a letter of reference in the future?
We're certainly willing to recommend any of our outstanding interns in their future endeavors. We have regularly submitted letters of recommendation for previous interns. If, for any reason, we cannot provide a positive letter of reference, we will politely decline. So far, we've never turned down a reference request.