The Oswego Public Library’s summer reading program is well underway, offering readers a wide assortment of programs, activities and prizes.

 One of the exciting aspects of this year’s program is the community reading challenge which encourages participants to collectively read a total of 200,000 minutes this summer. It goes with the theme of the summer reading program, “All Together Now,” focusing on community, friendship and kindness.

Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow will reveal the results of the challenge at the program’s finale on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. The mayor will drop a watermelon off a fire truck in celebration of the smashing success of the reading challenge. The more minutes that people read, the more watermelons will be dropped – up to four watermelons.

Summer reading participants can also enjoy weekly programs and activities, such as:

• Saturday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m.: Art with Jessica J: Children and their families work together to create a multimedia mural titled “All Together Now,” led by art teacher Jessica J. The mural will be displayed at the library as well as at Jessica’s fall art show.
• Monday, Aug. 7 from 2 to 3 p.m.: Film Animation: Draw Your Own Movie: SUNY Oswego professor Jake Dodd demonstrates how to draw an animated sequence on filmstrips so participants can create their own segments. The event is open for those aged 8 and over, and registration is required.
• Tuesday, Aug. 8 from noon to 4 p.m.: Open Lego Play: Participants can build a project of their choice using Legos.
• Wednesday, Aug 9 at 10:30 a.m.: Storytime in the Children’s Room: Activities and a craft will accompany ‘Around the World’ story time.
• Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 4 to 5 p.m.: Reading with Sasha: Attendees will read to and hang out with Sasha, a therapy dog with CNY Pet Partners.
• Thursday, Aug. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m.: Lakeshore Laboratory: STEAM activities include four to six stations with science experiments, engineering challenges, art projects and more. Attendees can come anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. and should plan on spending 30 minutes to an hour going through all the stations.
• Saturday, Aug. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.: Summer reading program finale: Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow will reveal the results of the summer reading challenge and drop watermelons off a fire truck in celebration of the program’s success.
• Friday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m.: Symphoria Quartet: Members of Symphoria perform a live concert in the library’s community room.

Children can track their reading using punch cards from the library or online at https://oswegolibny10.readsquared.com/. Each book read gives readers an entry to win a prize at the end of the program. Summer reading prizes include passes to the Children’s Museum of Oswego, an American Girl Doll, Legos, toys and more.

For more information about the Oswego Public Library, call 315-341-5867 or visit https://oswegopubliclibrary.org/.