The Hillsboro library is preparing to “blast off” with this year’s summer reading program, which is all about space. Librarians invite patrons to explore “a universe of stories” while enjoying special events and activities.
“We have 15 unique programs this year,” said Circulation Manager Sarah Davidson. “Plus an array of monthly clubs. We’re thrilled to offer the community a jam-packed calendar, with events for every age and every interest.”
Summer reading will start, Davidson said, with a space camp kick-off for kids on Saturday, May 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
According to Children’s Library Manager Gabrielle Pitzer, kids will make a space helmet and complete various astronaut training activities. When they are finished they will “earn their astronaut training certificate and be ready to blast off into space this summer,” Pitzer said. The children’s program is designed for ages 2 through sixth grade.
Pitzer added that for every 10 books a child reads, they will win a prize. They can win up to five prizes, with a bonus reading log available. She also said the library is partnering with Adena Regional Medical Center, so kids — as well as teens and adults — will have the option to complete their healthy living challenge.
“We have events all summer long and we hope to see you,” she added.
The May 25 space camp also marks when teens and adults can sign up for their own summer reading program.
To sign up, patrons can come to the front desk. “Once they’re all signed up, they will receive a goodie bag,” Davidson said.
Then, every time patrons read a book, they can fill out a slip (available at the library’s summer reading display) to be entered in a drawing for a prize.
“Each week, a teen and an adult will be drawn,” Davidson said. “We have a variety of prizes on display from which the winners can choose. The more you read, the better chance of getting the prize you’re hoping to win.”
She listed a few of the prizes, including: tickets to “Tecumseh!,” COSI and the Cincinnati Zoo, as well as kits with different themes such as art, fitness, library fashion, Harry Potter and gardening.
In addition, teens and adults can also fill out Reading Bingo cards. “Each time they fill one out, they can get a small prize at the front desk,” Davidson said. Patrons can fill out up to five Bingo cards.
“But the biggest prize we’re giving out this year are two Kings Island tickets,” she added.
One patron (ages seventh grade and up) will win the tickets by filling out a “Passport the Galaxy.”
“The passport lists all of the activities we have planned for summer reading, plus all of our monthly clubs and programs,” Davidson said. “Teens and adults can come to these programs and get their passport stamped. Once they have 12 stamps, they can drop off their passports. At the end of summer reading (July 31), we will draw a name to see who will win the Kings Island tickets.”
Davidson added that the tickets were among many items that were obtained through donations.
“We are extremely thankful to the community,” Davidson said. “Through donations from various businesses, we were able to offer patrons these wonderful prizes.”
A full list of sponsors for this year’s summer reading program is available on the library’s website and on Facebook. It will be updated as needed throughout the summer.
Also available online is the full programming schedule. Davidson highlighted a few of the programs, including the space camp kick-off, Library Comic Con, and Sci-Fi Saturday.
“Our idea was to have realistic space in the beginning, keep the fun rolling with the annual comic con in the middle, and then finish the summer with the fantasy side of space at the end,” she said.
This year’s con is on Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sci-Fi Saturday will be on July 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We’re very excited about our Sci-Fi Saturday event,” Davidson said. “We will have Jedi training for the kids, as well as alien crafts, an outer space arcade, and a ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ dance party. But the highlight is going to be R2-D2.”
Josh Montgomery, a computer science professor at Southern State Community College, will bring the R2-D2 he built to the library and will give a presentation about the process of building the robot.
“We can’t wait to hear Montgomery’s story,” Davidson said.
For more information on these programs or others, visit www.highlandcolibrary.org, search “Highland County District Library of Ohio” on Facebook, or call the library at 937-393-3114.
Information for this story was provided by Sarah Davidson, Highland County District Library.
