So many books, so little time.
The Great Bend Public Library hopes to get people interested in books and reading at an early age, and keep them reading for the rest of their lives. This summer, a weekly story time session for infants has been added to the lineup of summer reading programs for all ages, which start this week.
Things will kick off with a free magic show by Dan-Dan the Magic Man at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Throughout the summer, the library will offer activities and games, while encouraging people of all ages to read.
Ann Reeves in the Children’s Department said the weekly story time session for children ages birth to 18 months old will run from 10:15-11 a.m. on Wednesdays. Story time for children 18 months and older will be on Tuesdays and Fridays, also from 10:15-11 a.m. Sign up in the Children’s Department.
"We want to get babies used to reading and used to the library," Reeves said. Babies can sit on a parent’s lap or on the floor for "This Little Piggy" and other stories and songs that encourage bonding and growth. "It’s just a comfortable time to spend with your little one. You can never start too young."
Children’s Librarian Eric Coulbourne and Cara Negaard, head of reference and acquisitions, said Summer Reading Clubs for children, teens and adults start Monday and continue through July 23. Young readers and adults can sign up for weekly drawings, with a grand prize at the end of the program. Receive tickets for the drawings by checking materials out.
There is also a reading contest, with a prize going to the young adult who reads the most pages, and to the adult who reads the most books.
The children’s Summer Reading Club theme this year is One world, Many Stories. The teen Summer Reading Club theme is You Are Here, and the adult Summer Reading Club theme is Novel Destinations.
Some of the upcoming activities include Bingo this Wednesday at 2 p.m. and an animal show from the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo at 2 p.m. Saturday at the library, 1409 Williams St.
Looking ahead, teens are invited to watch a free movie at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 23. The library is taking suggestions on what to show.
