The Great Bend Public Library’s summer programs start Monday, June 1, and run through July 17. This year’s programs have superhero theme.
Registration is going on now at the library, 1409 Williams St., and online at greatbendpl.info.
Monday’s kickoff features performances by “Flying Debris” at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The exact nature of this program is under wraps, but it appears to have something to do with juggling.
Throughout the summer, the library will hold drawings for prizes. Those who check out materials can be entered. Checkout prizes will be awarded weekly and all ages are encouraged to participate.
“This summer we are promoting special events for the whole family,” said Jennifer King, young adult/marketing librarian. “Both our kickoff party and our final party are designed for all ages.”

Children’s programs
Every Hero Has a Story is the theme for this year’s children’s program. The theme will be celebrated with visits from Flying Debris, Dan Dan the Magic Man and the Wetlands Education Center. King said there will also be plenty of other exciting activities, such as movies, Ninja Day and a water party. This summer children will also be invited to some special story times that will take place throughout the community.
Children will track their reading progress throughout the summer by recording the amount of minutes they read. Participants get a prize when they reach their reading goal.

Teens
Teens are invited to join the Unmask program this summer with movies, game days and other events, such as comic book crafts, henna, wrist cuffs, super food program, spy training lockdown and a food fight. Teen Movie Mondays will continue throughout the summer and every Wednesday will be Writing Club.
The Teen Spot has something going on every day, but teens are encouraged to check the calendar because some events do have registration deadlines and other restrictions.
The teen program, for students entering grades 7-12, counts pages read in any form, from traditional books and graphic novels to e-books and audio books. Community points are also awarded for teens that play summer sports, volunteer or hold a summer job. The grand prize this summer will be a Google Nexus 7 Tablet and a $150 gift card to GameStop sponsored by the Friends of the Great Bend Public Library.
“Summer Library Programs play a vital role in counteracting what researchers dub the ‘summer slide,’ when students lose, on average, about one month of instruction,” said King. “Libraries across the country strive to help reduce the effects of this loss by providing access to books during the summer combined with reading incentives.”

Adults
The Escape the Ordinary Adult Summer Library Program will continue last year’s trend of Book Bingo. Extra movies will be screened throughout the summer, including some Wednesday movie matinees.
Adults can also participate in Adults’ Night Out Crafts on select Thursday evenings or Adults Only Crafternoons on select Saturdays. This summer adults are also encouraged to participate in a weekly Magic the Gathering group or either of the library’s monthly book clubs.
This summer’s evening book clubs will have refreshments and a guest speaker, Dr. Kim Stanley from McPherson College. Some events will require pre-registration and have a limited number of spaces. This summer’s grand prize for adults will be a Kindle Fire sponsored by the Friends of the Great Bend Public Library.
Programs are free and have been sponsored by a large number of community businesses, groups and individuals