The lazy days of summer are a time to sharpen minds and expand horizons through reading books, according to the public libraries of the North Olympic Peninsula.
Clallam County public libraries and the Port Townsend and Jefferson County libraries have free, special programs for children kicking off Monday.
In Clallam County, the program will run through Aug. 20. The Jefferson County Library program will end Aug. 11 and the Port Townsend Library program culminates Aug. 19.
Programs for babies and toddlers, older children, young adults and adults will be offered at all four libraries in Clallam County that operate in the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) — in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and Neah Bay.
Port Angeles kickoff
The Port Angeles Library at 2210 S. Peabody St. will host the Hands on Children’s Museum of Olympia from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. during its kickoff.
The museum, library officials said, stimulates curiosity, creativity and learning through interactive exhibits and programs that teach about basic circuitry and how to make things fly.
While visiting the exhibit, library officials encourage parents to sign up their youngsters for the 2016 Summer Reading Program, which will be available at all four Clallam County public libraries.
Participants up to age 18 will each receive a free book when they sign up for the reading program.
For every 14 hours that children ages 3 to 18 read, they will be entered into a grand prize drawing.
Along with varied children’s programs is an adult reading program.
Every book an adult reads between Monday and Aug. 20 will result in an entry into weekly prize drawings culminating in a drawing for a grand prize adventure pack. Those who read for 100 hours will receive special NOLS T-shirts.
Summer reading programs and events are supported by Friends of the Library groups at all four NOLS libraries.
For more information, visit www.nols.org; call 360-417-8500, ext. 7705, or send an email to youth@nols.org.
Jefferson County Library
The Jefferson County Library at 620 Cedar Ave. in Port Hadlock will begin its summer reading program with a JuggleMania performance by comedian Rhys Thomas at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
JuggleMania is a combination of circus feats, comedy, quick body movements and juggling.
This free, all-ages event will be followed by events, classes and reading contests throughout the summer, culminating in the Summer Reading Program Field Olympics at H.J. Carroll Park at 9884 state Highway 19 in Chimacum at 2 p.m. Aug. 11.
In the summer reading program for adults — Exercise Your Mind: Read — every book that participating adults read and review will qualify the reader to enter a drawing to win annual Washington State Park Discover Passes.
Review forms will be available at the library beginning Monday.
Youths will win prizes for every three hours that they read up to 15 hours.
The summer reading program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jefferson County Library and the Jefferson County YMCA.
For more information, visit www.jclibrary.info or call 360-385-6544.
Port Townsend
The Port Townsend Library, 1220 Lawrence St., will begin its summer reading program with an open house from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
While signing up for the program, visitors can enjoy live old-timey music from local musicians, sample snacks, make their own laurel crowns and share coloring skills on the community coloring pages.
Among the variety of special events planned this summer are weekly read-alouds of Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief with “local legends” as guest readers.
The program will culminate in an End of Summer Reading Party at Chetzemoka Park from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 19.
Participants will dress up as Greek gods, goddesses, heroes or monsters, play games; eat watermelon; create giant bubbles; and receive gold medals for reading accomplishments.
For more information, see http://tinyurl.com/PDN-ptreading.
