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The Greenville-Butler County Public Library gets creative with its Summer Reading Program every Tuesday and Thursday through Aug. 3. The children’s Librarian Johnathan Grace explains the program includes stories, games, prizes, snacks, and a lot of fun. 

“We play games, do team work activities, go outside, and sing and dance,” Grace said. “My focus is to encourage kids to read more. I know a lot of kids learn in different ways, some through singing or through hands-on activities. When I read with the kids the biggest thing I want is for them to interact with the story. I ask questions like, ‘What does this word mean?’, or ‘What do you think is going to happen next?’, or after reading the title or observing the cover I’ll ask, ‘What do you think this book is about?’ I want to get their wheels turning to help them learn how to comprehend stories.”

The free program themed “All Together Now” began July 11, and is separated into four groups by grade level. Toddlers to age 4 meet on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Kindergarten and first grade gather on Tuesdays at 2 p.m., second and third grades are on Thursdays at 10 a.m., and fourth and fifth grade programs are on Thursdays at 2 p.m.

“Summer reading is really important,” said library Director Kevin Pearcey. “If the kids don’t read throughout the summer, they start losing the skills they’ve learned over the last year in school. The important thing is to just keep reading.”

Starting in the fall the library hosts interactive reading days such as Toddler Tuesdays weekly at 10 a.m. and Super Saturdays, every third Saturday at 10 a.m. for ages 8 and under. The library’s next big event is the 9th annual Star Wars Day on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m.

“We do it every year, and the kids really enjoy it,” Pearcey said. “We give out a lot of prizes like LEGO star wars, we have games and activities, and we provide Star Wars themed food. Anyone can join, parents and kids, and we encourage everyone to dress up and have fun with it!”

Other new additions to the library’s catalog are the Eldercare Kits for senior citizens suffering from dementia or Alzheimers, and Maker Kits for children. The Eldercare Kits are bags filled with objects and activities such as fidget widgets, picture books, watercolor pages with paints and brushes, playing cards, conversation cards, and jigsaw puzzles. The Maker Kits for kids are for children ages 3 and up and include entertaining and educational based activities such as robotics, soft crafts, art, circuits, and books. To check out the kits see the library’s front desk. 

For more information, follow the Greenville-Butler County Public Library on Facebook for upcoming events or check out the website at www.greenville-bcpl.org.