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Middlebury Library to award bikes through 'America the Beautiful' summer reading program
Summary
The Middlebury Public Library will use a $5,000 Active Transportation Microgrant to provide five grand-prize bicycles for its 'America the Beautiful' Summer Reading Initiative; winners will be drawn Aug. 12 and the kickoff is June 22 with Matica Circus.
The Middlebury Public Library will award five grand-prize bicycles as part of its 2026 Summer Reading Initiative, "America the Beautiful," Library Director Jo-Ann LoRusso said during the board's June 9 meeting.
"Director LoRusso confirmed that the Active Transportation Microgrant Grant Award in the amount of $5,000 will cover the five Grand Prizes being offered for the 2026 Summer Reading Initiative, 'America the Beautiful'," LoRusso told trustees. The library plans to buy the bikes from Pedal Power Bike Shop in Middletown; Pedal Power employees will fit winners for helmets and locks.
The program runs June through Aug. 12 and is themed to mark the nation's 250th anniversary, encouraging participants of all ages to explore national parks, wildlife and conservation through age-appropriate reading challenges. Grand prizes—one in each age category from pre-K through adults—include a bicycle, a bike lock and a helmet; winners will be drawn on Aug. 12, 2026.
The library said additional summer prizes for adults will include gift cards donated by Domenic & Vinnie's Pizza and Senor Panchos; Kitchen 64 is also listed among local contributors in the program materials. The summer reading kickoff is scheduled for June 22 at 1:00 p.m., when Matica Circus will perform in the library meeting room.
The director's report also noted program logistics such as category-specific entry rules and displayed sample prizes in the library foyer. The board accepted the director's report during the meeting.
