Fairfield library kicks off summer reading Saturday

Fairfield Public Library’s Summer Reading Program sign-up day is Saturday from 1-4 p.m. In this annual program, young people of all ages are encouraged to read as much as they can from the beginning of June through July.

Families can use the kickoff event to pick up reading logs and activity calendars while the youngsters make outdoor arts and crafts. The first 100 children to sign up will receive free passes to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines.

The goal of the summer reading program is to generate enthusiasm for reading and help encourage young people to become lifelong library users. This year, the theme for the program is “Reading Colors Your World,” and activities and events will center around the visual and performing arts, diversity and multiculturalism, and appreciation for the earth.

Due to grant funding from Walmart and Alliant Energy, nearly every week this summer the library will host a special event or visiting performer. In the month of June, community members can look forward to seeing Iowa State University’s Insect Zoo and Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre’s “Kate Shelly’s Train Rescue” at the library.

Beginning June 19, in collaboration with Bike Fairfield’s annual Bike Around the Loop Ride, a Story Walk will be installed along a path at Chautauqua Park. A Story Walk is a picture book installation where picture books have been taken apart with their pages attached to signs and placed along a path to read while walking — or in the case of the Loop Ride, to read while biking.

Later in July, there will be a two-week Teen Book Club where teens will read the 2021 Teen All Iowa Reads book “Patron Saints of Nothing” by Filipino American author Randy Ribay. Iowa State Bank has also made a financial contribution to the Youth Services Department, making possible the purchase of raffle prizes which will be given to participants who submit their completed reading logs.