School is out for summer, and the library staff is gearing up for our Summer Reading programs.  This year’s theme for the PreK-5^th grade crowd is “Dream Big- Read!”  The theme for middle school through high school is “Own the Night.”  The goal of this annual event is to promote books, reading, learning, and library materials; to promote the library to non-users; to stimulate the imagination and enrich the experiences of children; and to prevent loss of reading skills over the summer months.

During this summer’s six-week program, PreK-5^th grade children are encouraged to read and keep track of the amount of time they spend reading.  As they read or are read to, children will earn prizes and books. Older kids will submit very brief book “reviews.”  The reviews will be entered into a drawing for prizes. Last summer, 448 participants read almost 3600 hours in six weeks!  Sign up for the Summer Reading Program begins June 11 and continues until mid-July.

To encourage use of the library and provide entertaining and educational activities, the library also hosts Saturday morning events, movies, and weekday activities that relate to the theme of the program.  This year our events include musicians, crafts, live animal programs and more. Many of the events appeal to people of all ages, and they are open to the general public.  Pick up a June calendar of events or visit the library website at www.dyersville.lib.ia.us to see which might interest you.

Our first “Dream Big-Read” event is “The Night Sky” with the Grout Museum’s Star Lab on Saturday, June 16 at 10 a.m. This inflatable room will give the experience of seeing the night sky. The kids will learn about planets and constellations. It is a lot of fun! Due to space limitations, only 20 kids are allowed at a time into the Star Lab. There will be three sessions: 10-10:20; 10:20-10:40 and 10:40-11. Kids will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis.

The first event for readers 6^th -12^th grade takes place on June 15. Crimson, a comedic hypnotist, will bring laughter and entertainment to the library. The program is open to the general public, but anyone under 18 who wishes to be hypnotized must have a parent sign a waiver.

During the summer we will have 16 special programs, hundreds of prizes will be given, and lots of kids will work really hard having fun reading. Many times we are asked how we can afford to do this program. The Friends of the Library pay for most of our special events, and local businesses and individuals donate money and prizes for reading incentives.  We list our donors at the library and give them signs to post in their businesses. Donations are always welcome, and are used to enhance our program. If you would like to donate to the Summer Reading Program, you may do so at the library.

Visit the library on or after June 11^th to sign your children up for this wonderful program!