By Amy Batista, Special Writer
Unmask a hero by participating in a reading program at the local library this summer.
The Mercer County Library System launches its annual summer reading program on June 22. Residents can discover new books, make new friends, stay cool and enjoy family-friendly programs by participating in “Every Hero Has a Story” for kids and “Unmask!” for teens, according to a news release.
“Our goal is to keep children, teens, and adults engaged with libraries throughout the summer by offering incentives and opportunities related to reading,” Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said in a news release. “Our summer reading program improves access to library materials and literacy related activities such as story hours, creative arts, performances and other special events and encourages youth to become lifelong library users and readers.”
Registration is free for the children’s summer reading program and incentive prizes are awarded weekly as children 11 and under make return visits to the library with their reading logs.
The online program, “Unmask!,” is available between June 22 and Aug. 7 for teens ages 12 to 18 years old. Teens may register via the library’s website, with a user name and password, returning to their account to record books as they read them. Teen events and prizes offered vary by branch location, according to the news release.
“Hickory Corner Branch will kick-off the summer with The Lizard Guys Amphibian and Reptile Show on Tuesday, June 23 at 7 p.m.,” Hickory Corner Branch Manager Sharon Galbraith Ryer said. “We also have a kick-off concert for the younger set featuring Miss Amy on Thursday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m.”
She said the library has many special programs this summer, including a chess club, magician Matt Schick, The Sciencetellers, musician Jumpin’ Jamie, “Nature’s Heroes“ with Eyes of the Wild, storyteller Mr. Malcolm, and an end of summer reading party with The Juggling Hoffmans.
“Hickory Corner Branch will have some new and exciting programs for teens and tweens this summer,” she said.
Programs include “Hero Stories: Graphic Novel and Manga” club on Tuesday afternoons at 3 p.m., bi-weekly “Chess Club” on Wednesdays at 3 p.m., “Teen & Tween Yoga” on Thursdays at 1 p.m., and a “DIY Monday Craft” program at 3 p.m.
“We also have regular story times, baby time, Tuesday morning movies, Friday creation station crafts, and many other special events planned,” she said.
Some programs require pre-registration with a valid Mercer County Library System card. All programs are free. Monthly event listings and reading log registration details are available at branch locations. Events can also be found on the library’s website.
Ms. Galbraith Ryer said patrons are welcome to stop by and pick up a calendar of events.
“Registration for all Hickory Corner children’s programs is done online through our web site at www.mcl.org.org.,” she said. “Special programs can fill up quickly.”
Hickory Corner also has an adult summer reading program called “Escape the Ordinary,“ she added.
“Register online or come in and complete a trivia quiz to enter a bi-weekly drawing to win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card,” she said. “We also have many special programs planned for adults.”
Programs include “Genealogy for Beginners” on June 24 at 2 p.m., an acoustic concert with local musicians John Bastiani and Kim Yarson on July 8 at 7 p.m., and “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: NJ Civil War Generals” on July 23 at 7 p.m., as well as computer classes, book discussions, medical information programs, Friday afternoon movies, and more.
“We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in the library this summer,” she said.
Hightstown Memorial Library Branch Manager Emily Frey said her branch is kicking off the “Every Hero Has a Story“ program with a visit from the “Lizard Guys“ on June 22 at 7 p.m.
“It is an educational show about reptiles and there will be live snakes and lizards for the kids to interact with,” she said. “There will be programs every day after that, stressing art, science, or reading. Some notable ones include a workshop on Indian dancing, Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. and a “Superhero Training Camp” with an outside obstacle course and games Monday, June 29, at 10:30 a.m.”
The Hightstown branch is kicking off the teen “Unmask!“ program with a “Superhero Trivia and Pizza Party” on June 29 at 7 p.m.
“They’ll be making wristbands with secret Morse code messages on July 1 at 3 p.m. and dry erase boards out of duct tape on July 10 at 3 p.m.,” she said.
The adult program, “Escape the Ordinary,“ will kick-off with a spiritual workshop on July 1 at 6:30 p.m. called “True Freedom” featuring Leena Iyengar, an experienced teacher of Rajyoga meditation. On July 8, local artist Barbara Dilorenzo will be hosting a class in watercolor painting.
“We have two online programs that launched this month,” she said. “One is called Freegal and it allows free streaming of music and movies to your computer, tablet or phone. It also allows you to download three songs each week for you to keep permanently. The other service is called Flipster and it lets you download magazines to your computer or other devices. We have about two dozen of our most popular magazines like People and Consumer Reports, and you can read the current issue or find older issues.”
Each library is also offering different museum passes. Mercer County Library System patrons in good standing, 18 years and older, may check out a museum pass with their valid library card.
“At Hightstown, we offer free family passes to the Grounds For Sculpture and the Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill,” Ms. Frey said. “The Grounds for Sculpture pass admits four people. The Garden State Discovery pass admits six.”
She said that people could reserve a pass via the library’s website up to three months in advance.
“When the time comes, you just pick up the pass at the library,” she said. “You have the pass for a total of three days and then the pass must be returned back to the same branch.”
For additional information about the summer library reading programs or to reserve a museum pass, visit www.mcl.org.
