The Decatur County Library kicked off its Summer Reading Program, “Fizz, Boom, Read,” last week with a popcorn party, encouraging children in the community to not fall off the academic wagon this summer and continue to read, learn and grow their reading skills while on break.
The program that will run until July, offers multiple activities for children, reading incentives and also performers like Hart Puppeteers, a reptile wrangler and magicians.
Catherine Vanstone, assistant director for technology and development at the library, said the summer reading program encourages children to read while it also introduces some to the library for the first time.
“The summer reading program is all about discovering the library and getting your child to read,” Vanstone said, who added the crowds really come out for the weekly performers.
Vanstone said parents and children show up for the performers hours before to get their seats in the large meeting room at the Decatur County Library.
Parents and children do not have to pay or sign up for those weekly activities, but children should sign up for the reading program.
“For every 25 books, or for so many pages in bigger chapter books, children will get their name written on a bubble coming out of a science beaker,” Vanstone said. “Every 25 books is considered one completed log and after 25 books you become a scientist, for 50 books readers gain ‘super scientist’ status, and at 100 books readers are considered mad scientists.”
Those children who reach 100 books by July 17 will get their photo with a mad scientist costume and will have their picture in The Post-Searchlight.
In addition every Monday at 1 p.m. the library will hold Teen Time, where teens can talk about their favorite books, music, movies and games. There will be games, activities and special speakers.
Each Monday the library will host a time for children to work with games and Legos at 3:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday there will be a special performer. Hart Puppets will perform Tuesday, June 3 at 10 a.m., Fuzzy and Snuggles will perform Tuesday, June 10 at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, June 17 at 10 a.m. the Reptile Wrangler is set to bring in all kinds of exotic creatures.
Tuesday, June 26 Arthur Atsma the magician will perform at 10 a.m.
Every Thursday throughout the summer at 10 a.m., the library will host Toddler Time, where parents can read to their toddlers, preparing them for the upcoming school year.
Sponsors for the reading program this summer include, Three Notch EMC, Hardees, Birdsong Peanuts, Decatur County Gilbert H. Gragg Library Foundation, Skate Towne and the Miller County Gin Company.