Summer is upon us and the library will be hosting a reading program entitled, “Libraries Rock!” With an emphasis on music and touching on some other “rock-style” topics, the children are invited to participate during this summer’s programming. Every Wednesday afternoon, beginning at 2:00, the library will have special programming to entertain the area youth. Each weekly program will last about an hour. This year’s kickoff program will be Gary Shelton from New Bern, NC with his Magical Mystery Tour. This event is geared to all age groups and everyone is invited to attend.

A special program will be presented by the library staff on Friday, June 22^nd for the young patrons that would like to participate in the reading portion. The participants will be encouraged to decorate a paper guitar to display in the library for the books that will be read during the course of the reading program.

Following the kick-off program, other weekly programming will include: “Rock Your Socks Off” presented by Susan Swain; “Sounds of Nature” presented by Kim Wheeler of the Red Wolf Coalition; “Rockin’ Pets presented by Alex Murphy of Pocosin Arts; and one of our favorites, the “Balloon Lady” for the conclusion of regularly scheduled weekly programming.

Children will have the opportunity to earn prizes in three different levels by reading books in five out of seven different genres. The seven categories from which to choose include: Technology, Science and Nature; History and Biographies; Fiction; Science Fiction or Fantasy; Mysteries or Scary books; Music and Art; and Poetry, Comedy or Mythology. To complete the reading program, the youth will need to read at least 15 books during the course of the program. Anyone that completes the program will be invited to an Ice Cream Party that will be held on Wednesday, August 1^st.

The library invites interested youth to participate in this summer’s reading program. Please drop by the library and sign up in advance of this year’s program. If the child is under the age of ten, a parent or guardian must be present for the child to register for this year’s reading program. There will be a lot of entertainment and fun during the upcoming hot summer days. If you have any questions, an informational brochure is available at the library, or contact the library at 796-3771 for additional information.