By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Public Library (HPL) kicks off their Summer Reading program on June 2 with their All Together Now Summer Celebration.
"We like to celebrate that we are starting our summer reading program," Darcie Canfield-Riggs, HPL Youth Services Librarian, said. "We offer kind of two age groups. We've got the pre-K to fifth and sixth grade and then if they're going into 7th grade or older, they can do the young adult reading program."
Adults have their own reading program as well.
"But, because it's such an important thing, we want our youth and our community to be reading this summer, we want them to get involved with the library this summer, we kind of do this big party to draw them in and get them excited about being here," Canfield Riggs said.
The summer celebration will host a variety of fun things, including inflatable obstacle courses, about 20 different games, painting, and music.
Additionally, community civil servants, like the Hutchinson Police Department, will be there and the Hutchinson Kennel Club will be bringing therapy dogs for kids to interact with.
The Hutchinson Zoo and Dillon Nature Center will also be present.
The All Together Now Summer Celebration will take place in the library parking lot.
The Summer Reading program comes with an incentive.
When a child logs 10 hours of reading on the Beanstack App, they can earn prizes. These include a gate admission for the Kansas State Fair, a youth pass for Exploration Place, and more. Kids who log hours weekly can earn a chance to win a weekly prize. Those who complete the program have an opportunity to win the grand prize. Paper logs are available upon request.
From June 1 to July 31, the Hutchinson Public Library will host a variety of programs and activities. Most of them will take place in HPL's Children's Activity Room.
Monday's from June 5 to July 24 will have Baby and Toddler Time at 10:30 a.m. for children age two and under with a caregiver.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 6 to July 27 will have Summer Storytimes at 10:30 a.m. for children of all ages.
Wednesday's from June 7 to July 5 will have School Age STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) at 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for children third to sixth grade.
Then Family Nights will take place on the second and fourth Mondays in June and July. On June 12 and 26, and July 10 and 24 at 6:30 p.m., families can enjoy special library programs by HPL community partners.
On the Wednesday dates of June 21 and July 19, there will be School Age Art from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for children third to sixth grade.
On the Thursday dates of June 22 and July 27, there will be Stories on Film. Join Hutchinson Public Library for a throwback to stories on filmstrips. Popcorn will be provided.
Activities throughout the summer will also include Take Home Crafts. Kids will make new crafts, ranging in difficulty for a variety of ages and abilities.
Monthly programs will continue as well. Legos on the first Saturdays of June and July from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Chess on the second Saturdays of June and July from 10 a.m. to noon. Road to Rover on the second Thursdays of June and July at 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
"Our theme this summer is All Together Now," Canfield-Riggs. "We're really focusing on our partnerships in the community, the importance of the library in the community, but also just bringing everybody together."
Young adults will have their own set of programs as well this summer.
Young adults who log 10 hours into the Beanstack App, can earn $10 Hutch Bucks and a ticket to the Kansas State Fair, as well as a chance to win weekly prizes and a grand prize.
Those participating in the young adults program can attend the Kickoff Carnival on Tuesday, June 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the HPL parking lot.
There will be a Trivia Night on June 27 in the Library Auditorium from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 12, there will be a Bad Art Night from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Registration required at hutchpl.org.
Registration will also be required for the Murder Mystery Party on Friday, July 7.
Then on July 31, there will the Hutchinson Public Library will hold an End of Summer Reading Party for those who participated in the Summer Reading program.
For more information about the children and young adult Summer Reading programs, or just more information about the Hutchinson Public Library, call (620) 663-5441. The library is located at 901 N. Main St. in Hutchinson.
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