Libraries across the Golden Triangle are kicking off their busiest time of the year, bringing programming to kids, teens and adults that is fun, free and educational.
Both Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System and Starkville-Oktibbeha Public Library System will offer summer learning programs that encourage participants to keep reading throughout June and July.
SOCPLS Director Phillip Carter said last year SOCPLS had 181 summer programs with more than 5,300 participants. The majority of those were children’s programs that brought nearly 4,500 kids to libraries alone.
“All three libraries — Starkville Public Library, Maben Public Library and Sturgis Public Library — participate,” he wrote in an email to The Dispatch. “There are programs and events for children, teens and adults that vary greatly but are all geared to promote a love of reading and a connectedness to community and the public library.”
It’s the same for CLPLS, which kicked off summer programming on Saturday with a magic show at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. Tori Hopper, childrens and teen librarian at CLPL, estimated around 2,800 people participate in the summer programs each year.
Director Erin Busbea told The Dispatch the library had more than 200 children participate in a Mini Tails Farm program on Tuesday where children were able to pet a goat.
“We try to make sure we have fun, engaging programs for the summer, like the snake man or a magician,” she said. “Those really provide a lot of fun entertainment for the crowd, which includes big kids (and adults) too!”
Busbea said the summer learning programs are designed to encourage participants to read and prevent the “summer slide,” an effect where students lose some of the learning they achieved during the school year.
“It encourages a love for reading, the chance to work on social development skills by attending programs and it also provides access to free resources to check out and take home,” she said.
Petting zoos, story times, magic and more
SOCPLS will host several performances at the Starkville Public Library, including Freedom Ranch, where expert wildlife handlers will teach children about different species, and the Tickled Pink Petting Zoo, where kids will have the opportunity to be up close and personal with animals.
“Our children’s events are always popular — from the Tickled Pink Petting Zoo on June 7, to the magicians, musicians and storytellers that all come with their own unique programs that motivate kids to be constantly curious and encourage lifelong learning,” Carter said.
SPL Children’s Librarian Loraine Walker said there are several daily programs to choose from, including STEM programs for kids at 10 a.m. every Monday.
“We partner with different Mississippi State (University) departments, and professors and students come in,” Walker said. “You could learn about possible career paths or just do a fun activity. And then of course, we have storytimes. We have music. We have chess, and we have art every Tuesday. We have just about everything you can think of.”
On Tuesdays, SOCPLS will have LEGO programs and art classes with the Starkville Area Arts Council at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. Music literacy programs are at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays followed by Chess Club meetings at noon. On Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Mississippi State student athletes will visit SPL to read books to kids and sign autographs.
On Tuesdays at CLPL and on Wednesdays at the Caledonia Public Library, children’s programs will explore varied subjects with different guests each week from Encountering Local Friends with the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society to Strange Adventures with Magician David Strange. Mother Goose Story Hours will take place on Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
CLPLS will also have programs for teenagers in Columbus on Mondays at 5 p.m. and in Caledonia on Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
Reading challenges
Children, adults and teenagers can all participate in the libraries’ summer reading challenges as well. At SOCPLS, children earn a prize for every 15 minutes of reading they finish over the summer.
At CLPLS, readers can complete challenges, like reading a book of a certain genre or participating in a library program, to earn a small prize. Busbea said
“… They get a little prize for every challenge completed to congratulate them on their reading and challenge success,” she said. “I think the challenges are more engaging as opposed to just keeping a list of books read.”
Information about registering for summer programs in Columbus can be found at lowndeslibrary.com or information for Starkville can be found at starkville.lib.ms.us/.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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