Join us this summer to explore your creative side!
Photo Contest for All Ages
Share a photo of the Bill Memorial Library and it may be used on Facebook, an album on the website, our other social media, and maybe even featured in the Annual Report! For complete rules, and to submit a photo, see the page here.
Check out the Read Beyond Summer section or the Staff and Patron Book Recommendations page for more great reads!
Win gift certificates to area restaurants and shops!
From June 21 to July 31, participants will receive a raffle ticket for each book review form they submit, and for attending a summer program. Forms will be available at the library beginning June 21.
Book review forms must be submitted by July 31st. A drawing for gift certificates will be held after August 1st. Prizes must be picked up in person. For questions, call us!
Adult Review Form
Forms are also available at the library. Like that book? Don't like that book? Earn a ticket and tell us about it! Give it a star rating and a very brief review. Please return this form to Bill Memorial Library by close on July 31st.
Program info and registration coming soon!
Teen Summer Reading Program
Students going into grades 6 – 12, come have some fun at the library this summer!
Teen Reading Log
Forms are also available at the library. Mark off the chart for every day that you read! Aim for about 15 minutes each day. For every 5 days you read, you get a raffle ticket. If you read every single day during summer programming you get 2 extra tickets! June 26th is the first day to record your reading, and logs must be returned to Bill Memorial Library by close on August 2nd.
Teen Book Review
Forms are also available at the library. Like that book? Don't like that book? Tell us about it! Give it a star rating and a very brief review. Each book review is worth 2 tickets! Please return this form to Bill Memorial Library by close on August 2nd.
Teen Reading Challenge
Forms are also available at the library. Mark off 4 challenges to receive 5 tickets. One book can count for up to 2 categories. Please return this form to Bill Memorial Library by close on August 2nd.
“Apples to Apples” and Pizza – Thursday June 26th @ 6 pm – Kick off the summer with a game of word association and pizza! Register here.
Bubble Art – Thursday July 3rd @ 6 pm – Unleash your creativity with colorful bubbles. Register here.
Werewolf at the Library – Thursday July 10th @ 6 pm – The always-popular monster themed game will keep you guessing. Register here.
Beaded Bracelets – Thursday July 17th @ 6 pm – make wearable art for you and your friends. Register here.
Paint Party – Thursday July 24th @ 5:30 pm – paint along with us! *Please note, this program begins at 5:30 and may go late. Register here.
Tie Dye – Thursday July 31st @ 6 pm – Custom dye a shirt and a pair of socks to brighten up your summer! Register here.
Teen "All About Me" Activity
Forms are also available at the library. We want to know what you're interested in! Please return this form to Bill Memorial Library by close on August 2nd for 5 raffle tickets!
American Library Association (ALA) lists for different age groups of children and young adults
Ella T. Grasso Technical High School’s Summer Reading List: Please visit the Grasso Tech site for updates.
Fitch High School 2025 Summer Reading Assignment
Groton Middle School Summer Reading Assignment: Bookmarks here, and Slideshow with more info and links here.
Children's Summer Reading Program
Join us this summer to get creative! Play our board game, complete activity sheets and earn raffle tickets for great prizes! Great programs throughout June and July!
American Library Association (ALA) lists for different age groups of children
See Teen section above for middle and high school reading lists.
Storytime – Mondays 6/30 – 8/11, 10 AM, outside (weather permitting)
Music & Movement – Tuesdays 7/1 – 8/12, 10 AM.
Lego Free Build – Thursdays in July (7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31), 2-4 PM.
Tripledale Farms Donkeys & Petting Zoo – Saturday, June 22nd from 12 – 2 PM. Rain date Thursday, June 26th. (No registration required.)
Squishy Friend Painting on Canvas – Tuesday, June 24th, 1 PM.
*Grades 1-5. Register here starting on June 10th.
Creature Camouflage with Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center – Tuesday, July 1st at 1 PM. *Grades 1-5. No registration required.
Michele Urban Music Show – Tuesday, July 8th at 1 PM.
*Grades 1-5. Register here starting on June 24th.
Beaded Sun Catchers – Thursday, July 9th at 1 PM. *Grades 3-7. Register here starting on June 25th.
Justin Mazz Magic Show – Tuesday, July 15th at 1 PM. *Good for Kindergarten and above. No registration required.
Watercolor painting – Wednesday, July 16th at 1 PM.
*Grades 1-5. Register here starting July 2nd.
“3D Painting” in Polymer Clay with Debbie Jaffe – Tuesday, July 22nd at 1 PM.
*Grades 1-5. Register here starting July 8th.
Art Explosion Craft Extravaganza! – Tuesday, July 29th from 1-3 PM. All ages. Drop-in.
Closing Carnival for Summer Readers – Tuesday, August 5th from 1-2 PM. All ages. Drop-in. (Children who have played the game)
Please note that some of the programs above occur at different times or on different days, and some require registration.
Call us for more information and to register, or click the links above.
Game Play
Check off each day that you read 15 minutes or more on your reading log.
• Earn a raffle ticket each time you visit the library to take your turns. The more you visit, the more tickets you can earn!
• Take a turn for each DAY you read and scribble around the game board. LIMIT OF 7 TURNS PER VISIT!
• COLOR DOT SPACES ~ collect that particular color dot sticker for your log. Collect all 6 color dot stickers and earn an extra raffle ticket!
• CHOOSE ANY STICKER ~ you may choose any sticker that you don’t already have to help complete your sticker log.
• Collect a raffle ticket each time you pass GO. Use your tickets to try and win cool prizes!
Last day to record your reading and play the game is Saturday, August 2nd.
PLAY THE GAME ANY TIME THE LIBRARY IS OPEN!
Because of the large number of kids who come in on the last day to play the game:
LIMIT OF 5 TURNS ON THE LAST DAY So be sure to take your turns often (earns more raffle tickets!) and don’t wait until the last day!
We will draw for the raffle mid-August, and raffle prize winners will be notified.
ALL READERS WILL RECEIVE A FREE BOOK AND A COOKIE COUPON FROM PAUL’S PASTA AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE PROGRAM ON AUGUST 5th!
(***FREE BOOKS AND COOKIE COUPONS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME AFTER AUGUST 5TH.***)
Read Beyond Summer
All Ages Read All Year!
All CT Reads is a year-long initiative by the Connecticut State Library to encourage lifelong reading, learning, and connection. A committee of community members pick several titles for various age groups each calendar year.
Visit their webpage to watch author interview videos, sign up to receive more information, and see the list of this year’s titles.