Summer Fun • At the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

The Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center has something for everyone this summer, including learning how to create your own video game, brushing up on your financial literacy, and enjoying movie days and other family-friendly activities.

This year’s library fun kicks off with a “Who Stole Our Summer Reading Plans” escape room May 27–June 10. “It’s an exciting event for families and friends to spend quality time and problem-solve together,” Library Director Susan Gregurek says.

The fun at the library continues throughout June and July. There are numerous activities to enjoy, including story time for all ages, arts and crafts, and movie days. There will also be some unconventional but super practical options available, such as children's financial literacy classes instructed by R Bank, and a Firetruck and Ambulance Day for kids hosted by Jarrell Fire & Rescue.

And don't forget to mark your calendars for June 10 when the library will be hosting Dads and Dogs Day in celebration of Father’s Day. This special event will feature games and activities for kids to enjoy with their dads, as well as delicious hot dogs and bratwursts to savor.

NO SUMMER SLIDE HERE

The library encourages reading program participants of all ages to read one hour per week during the summer (it counts if parents or caregivers read aloud). Summer readers can record their minutes in the Beanstack tracker app and receive prizes and tickets for drawings at the end of the summer. “The adults are as eager as the 4-year-olds to win the prizes out of the treasure box,” Susan adds.

She says the video game design camp is among the most eagerly awaited events, as children acquire coding abilities, make new friends, and learn how to create their own video game. “It was a great success last year. Participants enjoyed it so much that they came to the library all summer to play their games with each other and continued to add detail and complexity to them.”

All that positive feedback inspired her to expand the class from 6 to 12 hours of instruction over two weeks, June 6–15. The total cost is $120 and “we would love to have community members sponsor children who can't afford it. Last year one person sponsored six kids and it’s the beginning of the future for them. It’s amazing.”

COMING TOGETHER

This year’s national Summer Reading Program theme, “All Together Now,” is especially fitting for Jarrell, Susan says. “As division grows in our nation, the American Library Association feels this theme is the most appropriate for where we are today. ‘Let’s come together and work as a community.’ ”

The “All Together Now” theme is also fitting for the library as it continues working to become a community anchor. The building has evolved and become a central hub that offers prospects for networking as well as amenities like a food pantry and complimentary COVID-19 testing. “We are here to build community and introduce our new neighbors to each other,” Susan says. “People are asking every day, ‘Where can I meet new people?’ We want to be that social place for the community. When they — children and adults — come to the library, they will have opportunities to make friends and maintain their reading skills.”

The library also welcomes volunteers. If you are a student in need of volunteer hours or simply wish to help make the library's summer activities a success, staff encourage all interested adults and teens age 13 and up to visit and complete a volunteer application.

 MAY 27 – JUNE 10:

“Who Stole Our Summer Reading Plans” escape room. Admission is $5 per person for the library fundraiser event.

 JUNE 6, 8, 13, 15:

Video Game Design Camp for ages 9-18, $120 per child

 JUNE 10:

Dads and Dogs Father’s Day event

 JUNE 12 – JULY 30:

Movie Day at 4pm on Wednesdays

 JUNE 12 – JULY 30:

Adult and Teen Crafting at 4pm on Wednesdays

 JUNE 12 – JULY 30:

Summer Reading Program Activities

- 10:30am Tuesdays, Pre-K ages 4-5

- 2pm Tuesdays, grades 4-5

- 3pm Tuesdays, Bilingual Storytime for all ages

- 3pm, Wednesdays, middle school and high school activities

- 10:30am Thursdays, ages 0-3

- 12:30pm Thursdays, grades 2-3

- 2pm Thursdays, grades K-1

- 10:30am Saturdays, Family Storytime

Each event has a limited number of spots; learn more about the library’s summer activities and how to register at jarrellcommunitylibrary.org.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTIANNA BETTIS PHOTOGRAPHY