Community Corner

18th Annual Summer Reading Program Begins at Dexter District Library

More than 300 children attended the opening day kick-off for the 2012 summer reading program at the Dexter District Library on Friday.

Laughter filled the air at the on Friday as more than 300 families packed the conference center for the launch of the summer reading program.

The kick-off party featured a presentation by Acting Up Theater Company and a visit from Chamberlin's Live Petting Zoo at the Dexter Farmers' Market. A variety of farm animals were available for children to meet and pet, including a miniature horse, miniature fallow deer, alpaca, llama, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, roosters and ducks.

Cathy Jurich, youth services librarian, said the library's animal programs draw the largest attendance from local families.

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"The kids just love getting up close with live animals," she said. "They are so much fun to watch."

The teen summer reading program also launched on Friday. Teens can sign-up for the library's “Own the Night” teen program throughout the summer. Each week, participants who read three hours or more will receive a weekly prize drawing entry ticket. Those who participate all seven weeks can qualify for the grand prize drawing in August and receive a free goody bag.

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A summer reading program for adults is also being offered for anyone 18 and over. Register at the second floor Adult Reference desk.

For seven weeks this summer, the library will feature a different nighttime theme. Each participant will receive a Bingo sheet for each week of the program. Participants may finish a Bingo sheet for each of the different weekly themes or can complete multiple Bingo sheets for the same theme.

Completed Bingo sheets can be turned in weekly or all together at the end of the program, but all sheets must be turned in by the final day of the program, Aug. 12. This program is open to all adults ages 18 and up, but families are welcome at all of the special programs and movies that are featured as part of the adult summer reading program line up.

Throughout the summer, the library will hold story times on Mondays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Story time is geared for children ages 5 and younger, but all ages are welcome. No registration is necessary for summer story times, which will be held in the lower level meeting room.

In addition to the summer reading program and drop-in story times, the Dexter District Library will offer many programs, performers, events and activities throughout the summer for children, teens and adults of all ages.

Special performances, movies, crafts, educational presentations, games and contests will be presented throughout the summer. All programs are free and open to everyone. A list of all of our events can be picked up at the library or by visiting our website at www.dexter.lib.mi.us.

The Dexter District Library is located at 3255 Alpine St. For more information, call the library at 734-426-4477. Check out a list of recommended books from Patch and award winning author James Patterson throughout the summer.


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