Beth Clinton

Ahh… summer, when thoughts turn to warm weather and outdoor games, like baseball.

If baseball is your thing or if reading about baseball is your thing, check out some of our new titles: “Casey Stengel: Baseball’s Greatest Character” or “The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and Baseball’s Most Historic Record”. Or re-watch some of those classic baseball movies from the library’s collection like “Pride of the Yankees” and “Field of Dreams” (shameless plugs for my personal favourites).

Of course, the library is much more than just books and movies. That old warm-weather favourite for the kids, TD Summer Reading Club is back at the top of the charts for the summer. This year’s theme is Feed Your Passions! and the library is ready to gorge on ours. Registration for the club has already started and will continue until the end of July. I know what you’re thinking — I love to read, I always come to the library, why do I need to register? When you register you get to set a summer reading goal and get a free summer reading club kit. The kit includes a notebook to record your progress and some really fancy stickers. You’ll also earn a certificate of completion and a chance to win some great prizes. And that’s just the warm up. The official launch party is June 23 at 2 p.m. All ages are invited to kick off the SRC with us. There will be games, crafts, music, giveaways, refreshments and general fun and merriment.

SRC activities will continue throughout the summer every Thursday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. There will be stories, crafts and activities for school age children. These exciting events cover the spectrum from Minute to Win It to Plant a Little Seed to Music Makers. Every week has something exciting. Check out library.pe.ca/events or drop by the library for a brochure with a detailed listing.

But wait ... there’s more. Other programs available for school aged kids are on offer. Think you have what it takes to be an evil genius? Starting July 3, every Tuesday at 2 p.m. will be Evil Genius Club where you will have the opportunity to make slime, create circuit bots and learn other skills necessary to be a dastardly supervillain.

Starting on June 29, be a folding fiend with Origami Club every Friday at 2 p.m. Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. there will be artistic fun with Drop-in Doodle. That perennial Sunday favourite, Lego Club, will continue 2-4 p.m. each week.

Reading Buddies matches kids (ages 6-11) with teen volunteers for an hour of reading and fun on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Registration is required for the Reading Buddies program so call 902-368-4644 to register. Teen volunteers are also needed for this program.

Of course, we haven’t forgotten the younger age groups. Activities for families and children ages one to five will start June 27 on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Drop in to the library and enjoy a puppet play, story and craft. An exciting puppet drama like, “Don’t Let Pigeon Drive the Bus” and “I Want my Hat Back” will have everyone on the edge of their seats.

Just in case you thought that wasn’t enough, on July 5 at 10:30 a.m. create some decorations for our garden and on July 6 at the same time help plant seeds and place the decorations.

And this year, July 13, is a lucky day for teddy bears. The annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a lunch (peanut-free please) and a teddy (or stuffed llama, puppy, kitty or special friend) and enjoy a walk to the park for stories and games.

If you want to help out some furry and feathered friends the library is holding a toy and treat drive for the P.E.I. Humane Society. Drop toys and treats in our donation bin and stay tuned to find out when the P.E.I. Humane Society will bring in some special visitors.

The Teen Summer Reading Program kicks off on June 29 at 1 p.m. with library mini-golf and other fun. Register for the teen program and read 15 minutes and participate in programs to earn ballots for the end of summer prize draw. Teen programs will be held Thursdays at 1 p.m. and run the gamut from Squirt Gun Painting to Micro: bit Challenge.

Please note that he library will be closed on July 1 so we can all celebrate Canada Day and enjoy the fireworks. Just to save a phone call, rest assured that we will be open and ready for business on July 2.