Library News and Notes: Summer is in full swing

Patrons visiting the library recently often ask where all the books have gone. Though many books have been "weeded," more than 8,000 books and materials have been purchased this year and the collection remains strong, with more than 110,000 items. The library will be closed for a brief time, beginning Monday and reopening at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Breakfast for Books, membership drive

Breakfast for Books, a long-standing tradition combining the hard work and dedication of the Kiwanis Club, the Friends of the Library, and the library itself, celebrates the reopening of the library, begins the Friends' membership drive and provides early registration for the library Summer Reading Program. Festivities begin with a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. June 11, at the library. Tickets for a family are $15, while individual adult tickets are $6, and tickets for children 12 and younger are only $3. There will be pancakes, eggs and sausage and drinks, along with face painting, balloons and lots and lots of books.

The Friends of the Library add to the fun with a one-day book sale targeting children's books, face painting, and root beer floats. The book sale runs from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. June 11 and free root beer floats will be available from noon until 3 p.m. This is yet another example of what this volunteer group does to help the community and the library. Visit the Friends membership area to join for the coming year. Dues range from $5 for seniors and students, $10 for individuals, to $100 for benefactors and businesses. Many of the new books purchased for the library are the result of the generosity of our Friends.

Summer Reading Program: One World, Many Stories

Ask most school-age children if they are glad school is almost over, and receive a resounding "Yes!"

In a few weeks, ask these same children about their summer and many will already be bored. Ask Milton Chen, author of "Education Nation," about summer vacation and he will lament the loss of valuable learning time. Ask Youth Services Librarian Amber Sady, and she has an idea for children and teens, ages 2-17. Join the Summer Reading Program, which begins June 11.

Participants can sign up at the Pancake Breakfast and receive a gift bag with reading-oriented treats. This year, readers will be divided into three age groups, 2-5, 6-11 and 12-17. Each reading division will keep track of reading time, or pages read and will qualify for prizes, weekly raffle tickets and an opportunity to win a grand prize at the end of the program. More than 700 young readers participated in the program last year and Sady expects to see that number increase. Children and teens unable to attend the breakfast event can register at the youth desk in the library.⁩