Summer Reading… Not Just for Kids!

It’s that time of year again… summer reading! Sign up has been steadily moving along this week as kids, teens, and adults are embarking on the adventures of reading through the hot sweltering days ahead.  The children and teen programs run through the end of June and the adult program runs through July. There are many activities and drawings involved through all age groups in the next few weeks.

The theme of adult summer reading is “Between the Covers”.   Frankenstein weeping while reading Gone with the Wind and Scarlett O’Hara shocked at reading Frankenstein. That’s the artwork for the theme. It’s quite adorable.  For chances to win the t-shirts and other prizes, adults who sign up will receive tickets to write down what books they have completed through the summer to enter drawings at the end of the program.  Also, the first fifteen individuals who sign up for the program will receive tote bags to cart their books (or audiobooks) around!

The first event on the adult summer reading agenda will be a Social on Thursday, May 31 at 6 p.m.  A chance for adults who are participating in the program to get together and kick start the program.  (The theme for the evening will be night-time snacks!)   Through the summer there will be a Book and Movie that has been incorporated into this summer’s theme and two films.  A Library and Lunch will be held on Tuesday, June 12 at noon and a Book Chat on Tuesday, July 10 at 6 p.m.   Two chances for participants to meet and discuss the books they are currently reading. To end the program there will be a Murder Mystery scheduled for Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m.  More details will be released on the event as they become available.

There are no particular books that need to be read.  In case you need suggestions, on the library website check out New, Notable, and Awarded Books under the What’s New tab for books to browse.  On the library catalog interface (before and after you log in) there are links to the newly cataloged material the library has acquired including separate sections for new DVDs, music, new young adult, new gentle reading fiction, audio books, new adult, and new children’s items!  There are also links to awarded books that the library owns.  For non-fiction buffs, there are also topical searches in a variety of subjects from Antiques and Collections to True Crime.  Or ask the circulation desk!  Shannon, one of our newest circulation staffers and I had a fun encounter with a teen this week.  We both gave them so many Hunger Games readalikes they may have been overwhelmed.  Though we know they will be back next week when they’re through with their batch of books.

The teen summer reading program theme is “Own the Night”.  Teens set a goal of how many hours they plan on reading during the program's five weeks.  If they reach their goal, they are eligible to win a t-shirt and those who read 35 or more hours have the opportunity to join in on the High Readers Party at the end of the program.     

Own the Night activities will include Animals in the Night a program by Josh Jagel of Meade State Park, Game Time full of board games, video games, and card games, Follow the Evidence a program by Patsy Guinn of the evidence division of the Liberal Police Department (I’m calling it our look into CSI!), Mad Science of Central Oklahoma will explore dreams, Yoga a program by Alli Lyon, Who Glows There a program by Dr. Patrick Ross from Southwestern College, Tai Chi a program led by Lydia Augustine, Zombies! Zombies! Zombies! a program by Zach Carpenter and friends talking about why zombies are so popular, DIY Crafts where the production of ornaments and button bracelets will take place, Magician Steve Crawford, and the end of the summer reading Ice Cream Party in August!  These are the events in store for teens at the library this summer.

For both adults and teens, if you prefer to read at home instead of joining in on library activities that’s fine as well! We’d still love to see you signed up this summer and participating in the capacity that you are able.

So pick up a summer reading packet and sign-up sheets this month and grab a newsletter at the circulation desk.  Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages.   If you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to ask. Hope to see you at the library this summer!