Hampton Bays Elementary School students have been spending their summer reading, exploring and learning through a first-ever partnership between the school district and the Hampton Bays Public Library.

As part of the dinosaur-themed summer reading program, students in kindergarten through fifth grade can earn a variety of prizes by reading and logging books, graphic novels, comic books and magazines. The new program moves away from mandatory summer reading and aims to foster a genuine, lifelong love of libraries and reading through student choice, community support and the joy of discovery. The program also familiarizes families with programs and services offered at the library.  

Already, about 150 summer school students have completed their summer reading through a new library class program as part of summer school. Additionally, the library reported a record number of summer reading registrations during a kickoff party on the last day of school.

“The main goal of the summer reading program is for students to enjoy reading what they love by reading more of the books that they ask for all year long,” said elementary school librarian Christina Piazza. “We want them to use the summer to freely explore reading on their own terms and enjoy all the fun learning opportunities that the public library has to offer.” 

At the end of the summer, students will earn prizes through the library and additional awards provided by the Hampton Bays Elementary School PTA and local businesses. Hampton Coffee generously donated 400 free cookie vouchers, and Scotto’s Pizza and Gemelli Gelato contributed vouchers.