Summer reading programs kick off at local libraries

SIKESTON — Summer reading programs at local libraries are underway in some locations and planned to kick off soon in others.

This year’s statewide summer reading program theme, “Tails & Tales,” will be celebrated all local libraries and will focus on animals and their habitats.

Riverside Regional Library, which has library branches in Benton and Oran, kicked off its summer reading program Tuesday at its main branch in Jackson. Locally, the weekly program will be offered Wednesdays in Oran and Benton and will feature visits from an equine expert, the humane society, Animal Tails, Missouri Department of Conservation, the Circus Man and more.

Riverside’s programs, which will be held outdoors, will be offered at 10 a.m. June 9, 16, 23, 30 and July 7, 14, 21 at Oran City Park and 1 p.m. June 9, 23, 30 and July 7, 14, 21 at the Benton kiddie park. A special outside story time and take-n-make activity will be available July 26 at 9:30 a.m. at the Oran library and at 10:30 a.m. at the Benton library. The Benton library will also host an ice cream day from 11 a.m. to noon on July 26.

Library card holders of all ages can also sign up for summer reading challenges at the circulation desk with staff. Also, card holders can pick up a “Paw Pass” through the Missouri Bicentennial at the library. Families who visit a minimum of four local museums/history centers and return the completed card to the library by July 31 will be entered to win a $50 gift card to the movies.

New Madrid County Library District, which has seven branches, kicked off its summer reading program on Friday in Portageville. “Empowering Youngsters for Early School Success” will be presented in two-hour sessions once monthly at each of the New Madrid County Library’s branches during June and July. All dates are open to New Madrid County boys and girls ages 5-10.

The program will be offered from 9:30-11:30 a.m. July 10 at the Portageville Library; from 2-4 p.m. June 16 and July 28 at the Gideon Library; from 2-4 p.m. June 22 and July 23 at the Matthews Library; from 2-4 p.m. June 25 and July 27 at the Morehouse Library; from 2-4 p.m. June 24 and July 29 at the New Madrid Library; from 2-4 p.m. June 8 and July 9 at the Parma Library; and from 2-4 p.m. June 15 and July 20 at the Risco Library.

Sikeston Public Library’s summer reading program will launch officially at 1 p.m. June 7 with a story time for children entering kindergarten through second grades. Story time will be at 1 p.m. Tuesdays for children entering third through fifth grades, starting June 8 and 10 a.m. Wednesdays for preschool children ages 2-5, starting June 9.

Story times for children will only be offered on weeks where there is no guest presenter, according to the library’s website. Guest programs will be offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday, June 14, 21 and 28.

The summer reading program, which runs through June and July, is a combination of face-to-face programming with children’s librarian Lisa Munger and guest presenters who will bring live animals. During story times Munger will read stories about animals around the world, followed by snacks, crafts and games. Contact the library for more information at 471-4140.

Mississippi County Library District has focused its summer reading events to be held in July in an effort to not compete with Charleston R-1 and East Prairie R-2 summer schools being offered this month, according to Stephanie Bledsoe with the Clara Drinkwater Newnam Library in Charleston.

Mississippi County’s program, which is free and open to all children, will be at 11 a.m. every Wednesday from July 7 through Aug. 11.

However, individuals can register now to turn in a reading log at the end of the summer to receive a library-related gift. If they can attend library programs and turn in their reading log, their name will go into a drawing for a special prize. Registration forms and reading logs are available at the front desk.

Summer reading projects at all of the local libraries are supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library and Services Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.