Houston, they have a summer reading program

The Washington Public Library has launched its summer reading program, 'A Universe of Stories,” which will continue to orbit until June 24.

Registration for the summer reading program is free and can be done anytime during the month of May. Multiple family activities are scheduled such as a visit from the Blank Park Zoo, a magician, musician and a star lab where participants can crawl inside and look at constellations. Aside from scheduled events, the library is offering three programs designed to appeal to readers of all ages.

Wee Read, 18 months to 3 years

Family Services Librarian Jo Weidner leads the Wee Read program offered to children 18 months to 3 years with an adult present. She said the family program will center around music and books that fit the space theme and encourage a love of reading.

Weidner said getting kids started with reading and introducing them to fun activities in the library is essential to helping them grow up to be lifelong leaders.

'It's just about getting kids ready to read. Just getting them to know the library and be a part of it,” she said. 'Hopefully they get a love for reading and get a good start (for) when they enter preschool that they've gotten some understanding of what it is.”

Children kindergarten through fifth grade

Jenisa Harris, youth services librarian, said the children's program is being split into two sections: Kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth grade. Students in kindergarten through second grade are encouraged to read 500 minutes or more and will meet on Mondays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. to get together for crafts and activities.

Participants who complete this goal by Monday, June 24, will have their name put into a drawing to win prizes like tickets to sporting events.

Students in third through fifth grade will get a bingo card with activities such as read a book outside, attend a library program and have a picnic and read. Their goal is to check off every square on their bingo card.

Completion of the bingo card by Monday, June 24, will get the student into the annual lock-in at the library, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26.

To coincide with the space theme, the Iowa State Extension Office is offering a day camp, 'Infinity and Beyond.” Registration is required for this event and can be done so at the library. Activities will revolve around science-related projects like building rockets. Harris said she is excited about this partnership because it allows kids the opportunity to get creative and associate the library as a place for having fun.

'I feel like reading is huge, but also STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art and math) is really important and learning how you can even take recycled material and make something really cool or learn about gravity and rockets and stars,” she said. 'I think it's really important that kids know they can make a lot of stuff, have fun, and it's still educational.”

Teens and adults

Adult services librarian Allie Paarsmith said the adult program will begin in June and run into July. For every book one reads, they can write their name on a slip of paper and put it into a drawing for grand prizes. The program will wrap up with the annual alley party in July where prizes will be handed out.

Registration for the summer reading program is free and can be done anytime during the month of May. Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the library at: 319-653-2726.