Great Bend Public Library’s Summer Reading Program got underway Friday with a Community Luau on the front lawn. The staff served hot dogs and handed out leis while children played in a large pile of sand to make “tiki crafts.”
In keeping with the luau theme, there was live music by steel pan drummer Brad Shores of “Tropical Shores.” Participants could learn to hula dance or watch others give it a try.
Then everyone was invited to come inside the library to cool off and sing along with the movie “Muana.”
They could also sign up for the Summer Library Program, which is open to all ages.

“Each time you check out one or more items, you get an entry into a weekly prize drawing,” said Haylee Huddleston, circulation clerk at the library. “This means you can enter more than once per week. There are three drawings every week, one for children, one for teens and one for adults.”
The Summer Library Program will continue with special events. This week, Smoky Hills PBS will visit the library to present a Daniel Tiger storytime at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Amy Mayhill, head of the library’s Youth Service Department.

On Friday, June 8, the library offers free coffee and entertainment during “Jive n Joe Time” at 10 a.m. This week will feature Darrell Bauer. This singer-songwriter owns the Wheatland Cafe in Hudson.
“Darrell began playing guitar and writing songs in 1998 as a hobby and has enjoyed it throughout the years,” Mayhill shared. “He has written over 25 songs and has shared them with customers in the cafe, at catering, family gatherings, weddings, birthdays and reunions. His songwriting is inspired by his own life and what is happening at the time. This gives him great pleasure and comfort in the good times and bad. He loves to share his music with whoever will listen.”