RUMFORD — Mrs. Claus will make a special visit to Rumford Public Library later this month to read stories and to listen to children’s gift requests.

“It’s so close to Christmas, and even with all the elves, Santa Claus is awfully busy this time of year, so he asked Mrs. Claus to come instead,” said children’s librarian Ginny Todd.

The appearance by Mrs. Claus at 2 p.m. on Dec. 22 is the culminating event for several Christmas-related activities the library is holding this year.

Library Director Luke Sorensen said starting on Monday, Dec. 13, and running through Dec. 21, anyone who checks out a book or other library item may enter a free raffle for one of three or four gift baskets. Also, anyone who has lost their library card may get a replacement at no cost. Usually, replacements cost $5.

Children, ages 2 to 7 and 8 to 14, will have a chance to guess how many pieces of candy are in a Santa Claus container. The one from each age group who comes the closest without going over will win a prize.

Sorensen said he has asked many community businesses to donate to the raffle baskets. So far, he has gathered a variety of gift items and gift certificates from downtown businesses.

Mrs. Claus, with the help of at least one elf on loan from Santa, will draw the winning raffle names when she finishes reading Christmas stories and listening to gift requests. She will also announce the winners of the candy-guessing contest.

Sorensen, who became the library’s new director in August, said the special Christmas events are efforts to get the community more involved in their library.

“We also want to give the community a chance to show support for the library,” he said.

[email protected]