“Orange” you glad it’s time for the summer reading program at the Jefferson public library? No, it’s not a “pigment” of your imagination! It really is time for the 2021 summer reading program: “Reading COLORS Your World!”
Children 4 years old through 5th grade are invited to participate in this free program. There will also be a special reading program for infants through 3 years old. Zoom and in-library programs will be available for all age groups throughout the months of June and July. The program starts June 14; registration is available now.
With Outside the Box crayon sculpture, a Pop of Color pompom drop splat painting, and In Living Color Fun with Photography, the library staff has a whole spectrum of fun and educational activities ready for children. “Add more color to your summer with interactive Story Strolls, reader’s theatre, story times, craft projects, a guest magician and more Did I mention we’ll be making Pool Noodle Color Monsters?” said children’s librarian Terry Clark.
The more minutes children read, the more opportunities they’ll have to win prizes, including the chance to win a Fire HD 8 tablet. Each child who turns in their reading slips will receive a paperback book, Blank Park Zoo pass, and pizza certificate. One lucky winner will even win a brand-new bicycle! Staff will also draw one name each week for a chance to hear a “Front Step Story” read at a child’s home by someone in the community.
Staff has missed seeing families in the library this past year. After a year filled with uncertainty, staff realizes many people need a time to connect, a time to create, and a time to engage in an activity that allows participants to release the stress and tension of our daily lives.
“Coffee, Company, and Coloring” is a program for parents and caregivers and their children this summer. It’s a social time for everyone to reconnect. This is a “come and go” program to be held every Friday morning, June 18 -July 30, from 9 to 11 am in the children’s department. There will be coloring and conversation for the adults and an activity, a story, and free play time for the children. As the new year has progressed, “mindfulness” has become the new buzz word and coloring is one way to bring a sense of calm to our lives. “Please stop by for a morning of coffee, good company, and coloring,” a library spokesperson said.
Thanks to generous sponsors, this summer reading program is free for everyone. Sponsors are Blank Park Zoo, Breadeaux Pizza, Friends of the Jefferson Public Library, Greene County board of supervisors, Home State Bank, Peoples Bank and Wells Fargo Bank.
Parents who want more information or to register their children can call the children’ department at 515-386-4415. “Don’t be blue this summer…color your world with reading at the Jefferson public library,” the spokesperson said.
