Camden Public Library’s children’s librarian Amy Hand will transform into a new book character every weekday during Children’s Book Week, May 3-9, and plans to host a special Outdoor Story Time on May 5 in the Camden Amphitheatre, weather permitting. Contributed photo

The Camden Public Library is celebrating reading during Children’s Book Week, May 3-9.

Youth Services Manager Amy Hand will host weekday story times and crafts online, as well as special outdoor activities on the library’s grounds. Every weekday morning “Miss Amy” will portray a different children’s book character for readings posted to the library’s Facebook page and the Miss Amy Hand YouTube and Instagram pages. In the afternoon, participants can enjoy videos of hands-on crafts.

On Monday, May 3, the library will host its first in-person Maine Student Book Award meeting outside on the upper lawn at 5 p.m. The group is open to all fourth to eighth graders.

On Tuesday, May 4, at 10 a.m., parents and children are invited to Zoom chat and story time with Hand to talk about books or share recent artwork; requests to attend can be emailed to alhand@librarycamden.org. The Tinker Tuesday S.T.E.A.M activity will also appear on YouTube and Instagram.

On Wednesday, May 5, children of all ages are invited to join Hand for in-person outdoor story time in the Camden Amphitheatre, weather permitting, with masks and social distancing. Meanwhile, Booktime for Babies will run online.

Activities on Thursday, May 6, include Booktalks for Tweens and Teens, along with “Creative Art Afternoon” via Zoom. Email alhand@librarycamden.org for the link.

“Make-and-Take Crafts for Kids” is to run throughout May. Participating families can pick up their craft kits at curbside pickup on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays all month. To sign up, email Hand with the age of each child.

People can donate to the library’s “Stock the Stacks drive” at librarycamden.org/stockthestacks/.

“For every $10 we receive to Stock the Stacks this week, we will bring in a brand new children’s book for our community members to enjoy,” Camden Public Library Executive Director Nikki Maounis said. “With so much time spent at home these days, the need for new materials is extraordinarily high. This is a great way to don your cape and bring some great new stories to your young neighbors.”

For details on Children’s Book Week programs or Stock the Stacks, visit librarycamden.org.