Literacy
Explore Oceans of Possibilities at summer library programs by Susan Thacker
sthacker@gbtribune.com School will soon be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean that children should take a break from learning. The antidote is as close as your local library. At the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., the Summer Reading Program kicks off on June 3 with the theme “Oceans of Possibilities,” according to GBPL Outreach Manager Hannah Grippin. “Summer library programs play a vital role in helping combat what researchers dub the ‘summer slide,’ when students lose, on average, about one month of instruction,” Grippin said. “Libraries across the country strive to help reduce the effects of this loss by providing access to summer reading programs to all ages combined with reading incentives. But that’s not all we have during our summer reading program. This year we have weekly story time all summer long as well as special educational programs from places like PBS, Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Mad Science, Sea Life Kansas City, Kansas Oil & Gas Museum and many, many more.” Registration for the Summer Library Program opens June 3 at a kickoff event featuring some “island jazz” with a performance by Brad Shores of Tropical Shores Steel Drums from 5-7 p.m. Shores plays the lead steal drum and keyboard while his daughter Erica plays the “double seconds” steel pan drums. It’s entertaining but they also teach the audience about music and their instruments. The Summer Reading Program isn’t just for kids, by the way.
More Summer Kick-Off on Off FFun un o n June 3 includes: • Teen Tiki Bar from 2-3 m2 -3 3 p.m. A mini luau with mocktails and ga games • Free Sno Cones from 5-6 p.m. • Lawn Games & Summer Reading Registration from 5-6 p.m. • Adults’ Night Out Movie at 7 p.m. Children can earn a ticket to the End of Summer Bash at the Wetlands Waterpark by reading and turning in their reading logs. There are also weekly contests and prizes for children, teens and adults. Each time you check out a library item this summer, you will be entered in the drawings. Calendar of Events Here are more summer events, all with an ocean theme. They are for all ages, unless otherwise noted. June 7 • Kansas Wetlands Education Center program, 10:30 a.m., suggested for grades 2-5 June 8 • Mad Science show, 10:30 a.m. • Mad Science workshops, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., suggested for grades K-5 June 15 • Kevin Horner Ventriloquist Show, 10:30 a.m. June 22 • Tanganyika Wildlife Park educational exhibit, 10:30 a.m. June 23 • SCUBA Program, 6 p.m. June 28 • Cards Against Humanity Game Night, 5:30 p.m. June 29 • Sternberg Museum presentation, 10:30 a.m.
Other programs • Adults’ Night Out Movies - 7 p.m. on June 3 and July 1 • Book to Reel - Read the book and then watch the movie! Book discussions are at 6 p.m. On June 28 it’s “Life of Pi,” by Yann Martel, and the July 26 book is “MEG,” by Steve Alten. • Great Bend Silver Screen Society - Movies based on the above books are shown at 7 p.m. on June 30 and July 28 • Open Book Club - 7 p.m. on June 21 with “Into the Deep” by Robert Ballard and on July 19 with “Seafire” by Natalie C. Parker. • Adult & Teen Create - 5:30-7:30 p.m. on select Thursdays for oceantheme crafts. • Tech Tuesdays - 11 a.m. every Tuesday: Learn how to use your computer, email and social media. The library staff can even show you how to get access to free E-books. • Crochet Club - 4 p.m. Thursdays • Kids read to Luna - 10:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays • Casual Game Fridays - June 10, July 1 and July 22, 3:30-4:45 p.m. at the Teen Spot in the library This is just a partial list. To see what else is going on at the library, find Great Bend Public Library on social media @greatbendpl and visit the website, greatbendpl.info. You can also message the library on Facebook, email the staff at gbcirc@ gmail.com, or call them at 620792-2409 with any questions about programming or services.
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