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Summer library programs starting
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The Great Bend Public Library is the perfect place for families to spend some time this summer, according to Young Adult Librarian Jennifer King.
Summer programming will run from Monday, June 2, through Aug. 2. Registration will begin on June 2.
Throughout the summer, GBPL will be holding a checkout contest for prizes. Participation in the summer library programs is not required to enter these drawings. Checkout prizes will be awarded weekly and all ages are encouraged to participate.
“Summer Reading Clubs play a vital role in counteracting what researchers dub the ‘summer slide,’ when students lose, on average, about one month of instruction,” King said. “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.”
Programs are free and have been generously sponsored by a large number of community businesses, groups and individuals. A list of sponsors can be found at the library or on its website, http://breatbendpl.info.

Children’s program
Fizz, Boom, Read is the theme for this year’s children’s program. The theme will be celebrated with programs from Mad Science!, the Cosmosphere and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. There will also be plenty of other exciting activities: such as movies, Bingo and a glow party. Children will track their reading progress throughout the summer by either recording the number of books they read or their hours. Everyone gets a prize when they reach their reading goal.
Storytime for preschoolers will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesdays and 10:15 p.m. Fridays, starting June 17. Baby and Me storytime, for children up to 24 months old, is at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, starting June 3.

Teen Spot
Teens are invited to Spark a Reaction this summer with plenty of movies, game days, and other events: such as galaxy rings, henna, catapults, FrankenToys, a glow-in-the-dark lock-down and even a food fight. Teen Movie Mondays will continue throughout the summer and every Wednesday will be writing club.
Four Thursdays will feature Girl Scout sponsored activities where teens will learn things like how to extract DNA from a banana and how to clean up oil spills.
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. This program counts pages and teens are welcome to read in any way they choose — from traditional books and graphic novels to e-books and audio books. Community points are also awarded for teens that play summer sports, volunteer, hold a summer job, etc. The grand prize this summer will be a Google Nexus 7 Tablet, sponsored by the Friends of the Great Bend Public Library.

Adult program
The Literary Elements Adult Summer Library Program will be seeing a change this year, King said. As always, adults will have some extra Adults’ Night Out Movies, but this year adults will also have the opportunity to sign up for additional programs: from Henna and DIY Wall Art to Memory Lane Coasters and Chalkboard Planters.
This summer adults are also encouraged to participate in a weekly Magic the Gathering (card game) group or either of the library’s monthly book clubs.
Technology classes sponsored by Nex-Tech will also be a new addition to the summer schedule. Charter Funerals will also be making a special visit to present on “Planning Your Funeral.” Adults should look ahead on the calendar because some events will require pre-registration and have a limited number of spaces.
This summer adults will have the opportunity to participate in Literary Elements Bingo. This summer’s grand prize for adults will also be a Google Nexus 7 Tablet sponsored by the Friends of the Great Bend Public Library.