The West Plains Public Library is about to begin its summer programs, including the children's library story times and crafts, additional programming for children and teens to be held at the West Plains Civic Center and Galloway Park, and summer reading programs for all ages.
New Programming Librarian Dianna Locke, who recently retired from 32 years with the West Plains R-7 School District, reached out to the Quill in order to let everyone know about the activities.
A kickoff event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday at People's Park, 1135 W. Broadway. Information on the summer reading program will be available and there will be bubbles, oversized lawn games for families and plenty of time for play in the park, Locke added. This year's theme is "Adventure Begins at Your Library," and it's sure to be a great time, she said.
Story time and crafts will be held 10 to 11 a.m. June 11, 18 and 25 in the children’s room at the library, 750 W. Broadway.
Additional children's events to be held at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St., unless otherwise indicated are Mad Science from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday; Wild Heart Outdoor Adventure from 10 to 11 June 14, followed by Teen Wilderness Survival from 1 to 2 p.m. at Galloway Park, County Road 1770; a performance by Leonardo Music from 10 to 11 a.m. June 20; and Circus Kaput will have a show from 10 to 11 a.m. June 27.
The summer reading program runs from Tuesday through July 25 and the children's program is for ages 3 through 12. An adventure map will be provided for participants to track their progress with several checkpoints, and children may bring in their maps when they reach those goals and pick a prize. Each entry will be placed in a drawing for one of three grand prize adventure packs.
Additionally, from Monday through Aug. 31, children younger than 17 will be given a punch card that can be redeemed for a free Happy Meal for every 10 punches, courtesy of the Happy McReaders program through West Plains McDonald's.
This year there will also be a summer reading program for teens and adults. Teens will have a gameboard of challenges to complete and all participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of three teen grand prize adventure packs. Adults will have a bingo card to complete and also be eligible to win one of three adult grand prize adventure packs.
Small prizes with a summertime theme will be awarded to children, including diving sticks, water toys and sand buckets. Grand prizes include a hoverboard and helmet, Kindle Fires, a family-sized inflatable pool, a tent, standing hammocks, and more.
"This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services," Locke said. "It is also being funded by many gracious donations from our community." A complete list of sponsors will be announced soon, she added.
