County Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program For All Ages

Readers young and old are invited to Ste. Genevieve Library’s Summer Reading kick off at 11 a.m. on Saturday (June 1).

The Bonne Terre Space Museum will give a presentation on space travel at 1 p.m.

“It’s a neat program that goes through the past and future of space travel and will end with the presenter shooting off a rocket to showcase how it works on a larger scale,” said library director Shawn Long.

“Everyone is encouraged to sign up any time during the summer however we wanted to have a big kick off event,” Long said.

The theme for 2019 is Space, and the library will not only be decorated with a space theme but also have a huge selection space-related books for every age and interest too.

Kids are encouraged to read by earning prizes and getting a chance to win a basket for completed books and minutes read.

“For every five books you read, you are entered for a chance to win a space-themed basket for your specific age group,” Long said. “If you’re under 18, we have a reading log that you fill out as well, and you get prizes after a half [hour], one hour, five hours 10, 15 and 20 hours. We have had some local businesses step up and provide some really great incentives aside from what the library has collected. Sweet Things and Iggy’s Pop Shop have both offered incentives that will add a little extra to keep everyone excited about reading during the summer.”

Adults have not been forgotten either with the program.

“Our adult program functions a little different,” Long said. “When you sign up, you receive a bingo card and the same punch card the youth get. In addition to the five-book card, for every bingo achieved, you also get a chance to win the adult prize.”

The first 100 youth to sign up this Saturday will also receive a tote bag with their summer reading paperwork. Attendees are encouraged to fill it with their first five books to get them in the summer reading spirit.

Crafts and other activities will be done throughout the day as well including decorating a large rocket ship that will be kept in the kids section the whole summer.

For more information about the event, contact Shawn Long at shawn.long@sgclib.org or 573-883-3358.

(Information in a release from the Ste. Genevieve County Library.)