There was one more reason to celebrate summer reading at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Saturday, August 8. It came with a scoop of ice cream.
Children who participated in the library’s 2026 Kids’ Summer Reading Program gathered with their families for an end-of-summer ice cream social, enjoying a sweet treat after seven weeks filled with books, activities and time at the library.
And there was plenty to celebrate.
According to Kevin Thompson, head children’s librarian and assistant director, 119 young readers signed up for this year’s program. While the library doesn’t keep an exact count of the books read, Thompson estimates the total is in the hundreds.
Fifteen children have already turned in completely filled Reading Bingo cards, with each card representing 24 books, for at least 360 books from those cards alone. More completed cards are expected, and many children are still working to finish theirs before the August 15 deadline for prize drawings.
The seven-week program offered children opportunities to keep reading while participating in library activities and special events. Attendance at this summer’s programs is expected to reach about 850, with several rescheduled events still to come, including the popular Petting Zoo.
Most participants were between the ages of 7 and 9.
On Saturday, however, the books took a back seat to ice cream as children gathered with cups and cones to mark the end of another successful summer reading season.
By Jeanne Hopkins