SUMMER READING
YOUTH
SUMMER READING Summer Reading is out of this world fun. Launch into a Universe of Stories, dream big, believe in yourself and create your own narrative. Challenge yourself to try new things and work together to make a positive change in the community. Summer Reading helps build literacy and language skills, prevents the dreaded summer slide for school-aged children, encourages teens and adults to experience the joy of reading and so much more. As you make plans this summer, don’t forget to stop by the library to check out books or attend a program and pick up coupons to Cici’s Pizza and Texas Roadhouse.
All your favorite children’s programs like Preschool Storytime, Toddlertime, Music & Movement and LEAP: Romp & Rhyme Babytime will continue on their weekly schedule with the exception of July 1-5. All branches will be closed on Thursday, July 4 as we celebrate Independence Day. While the library will be open for the remainder of the week, youth programming may be limited.
IMPORTANT DATES: • Online registration starts May 1 • Logging starts June 1 • Adult weekly prize drawings begin June 11 • Summer Reading ends August 17
Galactic Bookworms | June 10-14 Blast off with the cosmic antics of space cadets, Larry the Duck and Tim Sonefelt. The orbit of stories will take everyone along into their universe of amazing magic, kooky comedy and hilarious puppetry. Space Station Harmony | June 17-21 Columbia Marionette Theater leads us on an exploration of life on Space Station Harmony, a remote outpost located at an intergalactic crossroads. Learn about the dedicated crew living on the station with their families and the colorful passengers passing through from across the cosmos. Solar System Exploration | June 24-28 Let the South Carolina State Museum be your guide as we venture through space to learn about the star of our solar system and the planets that revolve around it. A Universe of Stories | July 8-12 Join us for a fun-filled, high-energy journey through the universe. Through her engaging stories, Suzette Hawkins will take us on a voyage beyond the sun, moon and stars. Cosmic Supernova of Reading & Magic | July 15-19 Blast off with Professor Whizzpop in a cosmic supernova of reading and magic. Travel at the speed of sound to defeat an alien invasion, learn about black holes and explore a universe of books. Space Songs | July 22-26 Join us for an interactive children’s concert performed by Irene Rose Smith. We will be singing, dancing and moving together to songs that teach important lessons about doing what’s right. Chicken Little | July 29-August 2 Chicken Little gets hit on the head and is convinced that the sky is falling. Could it be aliens? Apples? A paper boy with bad aim? Join Chicken Little, Henny Penny and the rest of the gang on their quest to tell the king that the sky is falling. Big laughs, unforgettable characters and a lesson in following the rules highlight this rollicking Porkchop Productions favorite.
Weekly Summer Reading programs are for youth, grades K-5. For dates, times and a complete list of events for all ages, visit www.lex.lib.sc.us/events.
TWEEN
SUMMER READING Boredom Busters | June Step away from the screen and journey into the library for fun summer boredom busters including cooking, storytelling and board gaming. Professor Whizzpop: Magic Workshop | July Learn to amaze, amuse, confound and bemuse with Professor Whizzpop's workshop of wizardry. Tween Extreme programs are for youth, grades 4-7. For dates and times, visit www.lex.lib.sc.us/events.
TEEN
SUMMER READING Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover | June Create a character based on a single photograph found on social media. Is a picture really worth a thousand words or is it a projection of what we want others to perceive? Use your observational skills, creative thinking and deductive reasoning to create a three-dimensional character from a one-dimensional image. Are things really as they appear? Presented by Porkchop Productions. Christmas in July: A Haunted Christmas | July Celebrate Christmas in July with the most famous ghost story of all time — Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Telling tales of the strange and mysterious, Chad Crews demonstrates haunting feats of magic and illusion. TeenScene programs are for youth, grades 6-12. For dates and times, visit www.lex.lib.sc.us/events.
ADULT
SUMMER READING Author: Kristy Woodson Harvey | June 3 at 6:30 PM Kristy Woodson Harvey will read from her third novel in the critically acclaimed Peach Tree Bluff series, The Southern Side of Paradise. Harvey is also known for her design and style blog Design Chic. Books available for purchase and signing. Irmo Branch Library Author: Patti Callahan Henry | June 9 at 3 PM Patti Callahan Henry will read from her latest novel The Favorite Daughter. Henry is a New York Times bestselling author of 15 books including the historical fiction, Becoming Mrs. Lewis. Books available for purchase and signing. Presented in partnership with the Friends of Lexington Main Library. Lexington Main Library
South Carolina’s Sacred Spaces Discover how a trip to photograph a historical oddity — a rural, three-story, eight-sided plantation home located on land that once bordered the Cherokee Nation — led to a special journey across our state’s amazing collection of rural churches and temples. Books available for purchase and signing. Presented by Bill Fitzpatrick.
REGISTER ONLINE Children and teens can level up to score some tasty treats from Bojangles’ and Chick-fil-A, as well as, a book, Summer Reading medal or lapel pin and ticket to a Lexington Blowfish Baseball game. Tracking time is easy and online. For children and teens who completed a level, stop by the library and snag your prize. In addition to level prizes, children and teens who log time will be entered to win grand prizes from Publix and Sign Gypsies. Summer Reading isn’t just for kids. Adult participants are entered to win weekly prizes at their local branches. Early registration starts May 1. Download the READsquared app for Android and iOS systems to track reading, unlock badges, play games and more. One-click logging provides parents with an easy way to log reading for all family members.
WWW.LEX.LIB.SC.US/SUMMERREADING
Gaston Branch Library Saturday, June 1 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
SUMMER READING LAUNCH PARTIES
Gilbert-Summit Branch Library Saturday, June 1 from 10 AM to Noon Batesburg-Leesville Branch Library Monday, June 3 from 4 to 7 PM Irmo Branch Library Tuesday, June 4 from 4 to 6 PM Lexington Main Library Wednesday, June 5 from 3 to 6 PM Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library Thursday, June 6 from 5 to 7 PM Chapin Branch Library Thursday, June 6 from 5 to 7 PM Pelion Branch Library Thursday, June 6 from 5 to 7 PM South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library Friday, June 7 from 10 AM to Noon Swansea Branch Library Friday, June 7 from 3 to 5 PM
The value of today’s libraries goes beyond books. Libraries build a foundation for a child’s success starting from the earliest stages of development. Librarians play a key role in helping children develop basic tools for school readiness by teaching families the components of early literacy. Last year, children’s programs accounted for nearly two-thirds of library programming in Lexington County, with more than 2,000 children’s programs. Older students can access high-speed Internet, digital tools and work with trained professionals on how best to use databases and online resources. As new technologies evolve, the library continues to lead the way in providing access to digital tools, resources and media. We recently launched AtoZ, a business directory and marketing database, and Hoopla, a digital platform offering video, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, movies and television shows for patrons to enjoy on their computers, tablets or phones. Our library provides access and programs for students of all ages. For preschool-age children, we offer early literacy resources and storytimes to encourage school readiness; for older children and teens, we supplement education with multidisciplinary programs; and for nontraditional students, we have online learning resources. There’s really something for everyone — and it’s all free with your library card.
5440 AUGUSTA ROAD, LEXINGTON, SC | 785-2600
WWW.LEX.LIB.SC.US