Summer reading kicks off at RPL
Russellville Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is in full swing now with preschool, school-age and teenage programs held weekly. This year’s theme is Libraries Rock.
According to library director Ashley Cummins, 40 school-age children, 12 preschool children and 10 teenagers are signed up. Even though registration closed June 6, Cummins said late registration has been extended to June 15 for those who are interested.
Preschoolers are set to meet every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. School-age children will meet every Friday at 1 p.m., and teenagers will meet every Thursday at 1 p.m.
“We want it to be interactive but also educational,” Cummins said.
For the teens, Cummins has many activities planned. They will participate in an “Are You Smarter Than a Librarian?” trivia tournament, and they will have the chance to make blackout poetry and do face swaps with book covers.
“We’re trying to build up the teen section of the library,” Cummins said.
In an effort to promote that initiative, the teens will have the chance to paint the bookends that are on the shelves in the teen section. They will also have cooking classes with “Pinterest-style” recipes, like cakes made in a coffee mug.
There will also be a Bad Art Competition and a karaoke dance party.
Preschoolers will have a different themed book and craft each week. Some of the books Cummins plans on using are “One Fish Two Fish” and “Curious George.”
For school-age children, RPL has scheduled outside entertainment and groups to come in and lead the children in educational activities. The Kids and Kin Program will make a presentation, and one program will be a ventriloquist.
RPL will also be playing movies to fit the Libraries Rock theme, like “School of Rock,” “Dark Side of Oz” and “The Blues Brothers.”
Children who are participating are encouraged to keep a reading log to show their completion of the program at the end of the summer. July 27, there will be an Awards Party for participants.