Libraries start summer reading program Friday

This will be a music-based program with lots of arts, crafts, fun and games. There will be the opportunity for kids to win prizes and be creative.

You may wonder what are the benefits of your child participating in a summer reading program? Children are motivated to read. They develop positive attitudes about reading, books and their library. Being involved in our program helps children maintain their reading skills during summer vacation and children also have access to experiences that further their sense of discovery and imagination. We learn to record our minutes of reading and keep a reading log. And we all help each other at learning to work together in a cooperative manner and help others.

We have visited all the elementary schools in Ten Sleep and Worland and handed out registration applications and a schedule of events for their age group. A signed permission slip is required. If this did not make it home with your child we have more available at the circulation desks.

In Worland we will be running a special preschool music themed story time every Wednesday in June at 10:30. And we have not left the tweens, teens or adults out of summer reading either! Find out how you can participate this summer and the days and times for programming for your age group.

I also want to talk about a new partnership for the library. The Worland Aquatic Center and the Washakie County Library System have teamed together with the thought of the need for children to exercise their mind and exercise their body throughout the summer. Top readers in our summer reading program in each library will be receive a free swim pass to the aquatic center. Watch for more opportunities to earn a swim pass!

We understand that children and families are busy all summer long. So if you have grandchildren staying with you and they need something to do, come to the library! They can attend as many summer reading program days as YOU want to! Heading out on a vacation the last half of June? Well, then we invite you to participate in the first half of the month. We are here for you, so you may participate as much or as little as you can! Our public libraries are community spaces that provide free educational and enrichment activities and programs throughout the year.

To kick off our summer reading program we will host “SongBugs” on Thursday. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Ten Sleep Library or you can attend at 6 p.m. at the Washakie County Library in Worland. Danika Strarrharrt is a music educator and is the founder of Song Bugs. Danika is a performing and recording artist who has produced over a dozen of original albums. She was trained classically with a jazz flare, and is a proficient player and teacher of over 20 instruments. She will have us join her Song Circle with a sing-along, dance-along program and time to explore instruments hands-on! Families are encouraged to attend. You do not have to join summer reading to attend this program. It is all about fun and celebrating the beginning of summer! And, this program is free to all who attend.

The Ten Sleep Branch library will be starting their summer hours today, May 29, through Aug. 17. We will be open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Washakie County Library will be making a very small change beginning on July 1 when we will begin closing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday instead of 8p.m.

For more information about the libraries, feel free to call Worland 347-2231 or Ten Sleep 366-2348. Or visit http://www.washakiecountylibrary.com and don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook.