RICHMOND COUNTY — Richmond County Libraries is preparing to launch its summer reading program, with this year’s theme, “Unearth a Story,” focused on dinosaurs, archaeology and hands-on learning activities for children, teens and adults.
The program runs June 30 through Aug. 17 and will feature events at Leath Memorial Library, Hamlet Library, Kemp Sugg Memorial Library in Ellerbe and the Cole Auditorium.
“We’re talking a lot about dinosaurs and a lot about archaeology and things of that nature. We’re going to be doing a lot of programs both here in the library and at the Cole Auditorium,” said the children’s director at Thomas H. Leath Memorial Library. “We’ve loved doing the Cole Auditorium these last few years as we’ve been able to combine with Hamlet and Ellerbe Libraries to bring everyone together into one space for these programs.”
A kickoff event will be held June 30 at 10 a.m. at Leath Memorial Library and will include water play, games and a book giveaway courtesy of the Rockingham Rotary Club.
Programs begin in early July and continue through mid-August.
At the Cole Auditorium, events include the North Carolina Zoo program on July 7 at 10 a.m., Ed’s Dinosaurs LIVE on July 14 at 10 a.m., Science Heroes’ “Digging It!” performance on July 21 at 10 a.m., Mad Science on July 28 at 10 a.m. and Grey Seal Puppets’ “Bathtub Pirates” show on Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.
At Leath Memorial Library, programming includes an art workshop with Michael Albert on July 9 at 10 a.m. Registration is required by calling 910-895-6337, and the program is open to ages 6 and older. Additional events include a children’s craft on July 16 at 10 a.m., a teen craft on July 23 at 10 a.m. and adult craft sessions on July 23 at 3 p.m., July 30 at 3 p.m. and Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. Registration is required for select events.
At Hamlet Library, events include Roaring Radiance dinosaur lamp making on July 8 at 10 a.m., Jurassic Journey on July 8 at 10 a.m., a paint pour jewelry craft for adults on July 16 at 3 p.m., Dino Discovery on July 22 at 10 a.m. and DIY shadow box art on July 30 at 3 p.m. Registration is required for select programs.
At Kemp Sugg Memorial Library in Ellerbe, programming includes dinosaur paint dots on July 6 at 10 a.m., a dinosaur salt dough fossils craft on July 20 at 10 a.m., a dinosaur puzzle craft on Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. and a wooden dinosaur painting activity on Aug. 17 at 10 a.m.
The summer reading program also includes incentives designed to encourage reading throughout the summer.
King said children will participate in a Dinosauropoly-style reading log.
“We’re actually doing a Dinosauropoly-style reading log for the children. They take this reading log and they can mark off the type of book that they read and fill the whole thing out,” King said. “Once they bring it back to the library, they can receive a prize. So here at Leath Library, we have these really cool dinosaur boxes with all these dinosaur prizes in there. It’s good to offer tangible incentives for kids when it comes to reading.”
Adult and teen readers will also have opportunities to participate in a book raffle at Leath Memorial Library. For every five books checked out, participants receive a ticket for prizes donated by local contributors, including 7Brew and a Kindle Fire. Books must be checked out from the Leath branch, and patrons may check out up to 20 books at a time. The Dinosauropoly program and raffle run from June 1 through Aug. 31.
King said the program is designed to encourage continued reading throughout the summer months.
“I really hope that the community can see the library as a place where they can go and have fun while also gaining some knowledge through reading. Summer reading has a big focus on actually continuing reading throughout the summer because there is that summer slide we’ve talked about where one the summer when children aren’t doing much or reading over the summer, can cause them to have lost some of the information that they’ve learned over the school year,” King said. “Reading over the summer has proven to really increase their chances of starting the school year with a strong start, so we really want to foster education in our community.”
The Leath Memorial Library will also host an America 250 celebration on June 23 from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., featuring cake, crafts and photo booths.