School is out. The Gravette swimming pool and splash pad are open. Ice cream is on the menu. The sights and sounds are all around us. Ahhhh summertime!
We're kicking off the summer programs with an outdoor theater presentation by Trike Theatre at 10:00 AM at Pop Allum Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy Mariposa Butterfly.
Did you know that the Gravette Public Library offers summer reading programs for children, teens and adults? Registration for the children's program begins June 16th. The library will be open until 7 PM on Third Thursday so stop in and sign up for the summer reading program. Registration ends June 30th.
We have an exciting children's program planned this year. The theme is "Oceans of Possibilities" and our guests will include Dr. Katherine Auld who is a NASA ambassador as well as chair of NWA Space; KNWA Chief Meteorologist Dan Skoff of KNWA and FOX24; representatives of the Amazeum; Kendall Moles of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission's Stream Team; and magician George Reader.
Brag tags are back so get ready to earn those beads by tracking how many minutes you read or, in the case of younger children, how many minutes you are read to. Weekly bookmark challenges have also returned with specialty beads to include dolphins, sea turtles, seals and whales. Everyone will receive a book to keep and there will be prize drawings at the August 11th celebration following a magic show by George Reader.
Prior to the pandemic, the library held back-to-back summer reading programs to accommodate all of the children. The program enrollment grew during the past two years so we'll be moving the weekly program to the Gravette Civic Center. Weekly programs begin Thursday, July 14th and end Thursday, August 11th. All of the children will see guest presentations before dividing into two groups, ages 3-5 and 6-12, for crafts and STEM projects.
The Little Lions Story Time for toddlers ages 0-2 will take a break during the week of Independence Day and will return to weekly programming on Tuesday, July 12th. The summer program will be one hour and carry an "Oceans of Possibilities" theme. Mr. Matt from Turtle Dance Music will get everyone moving in a live stream musical program on July 26th.
Teens and adults may begin logging reading progress starting July 1st and will have two months to work toward their personal reading goals. Punch cards will be available with four goal choices: 4 books, 8 books, 12 books or 15 books. Completed punch cards will go into the end of summer prize drawings to be awarded September 1st.
We have summer activities for teens that include Minute To Win It, Gaming Unplugged, Fish Fusion with the Amazeum and a movie matinee. Tech Tuesday resumes June 7th and, although not part of the summer literacy program, provides opportunities for teens and tweens to learn computer coding, 3D design, video editing and more.
This year's summer programs are made possible by a generous grant by Altrusa International and volunteers from the Bentonville/Bella Vista branch of Altrusa, the Friends of the Gravette Public Library, the Gravette Lions Club and local businesses. We are grateful for this support and look forward to providing an awesome summer reading program experience for our community.
Please contact the library staff at 787-6955 ext. 2 with any questions.