Summer reading

It was a busy day for the Bella Vista Library when the Summer Reading Program kicked off last week. The library almost doubled the typical weekday traffic count, children’s librarian Ellen Farwell said later.

The Summer Reading Program isn’t just for children, she said. There’s a program for teens and one for adults as well. Sign-ups continue for each of the programs, she said.

On Wednesday, last week, 115 children signed up. If they came into the library to sign up, they had the chance to play on an inflatable obstacle course in back. Inside, staff of the Amazeum brought their “Makey Makey Rock Band” which was two guitars that are played by closing electric circuits. Musicians use their hands to connect the circuits. There was also face painting and free snow cones.

The theme of this year’s summer reading program is “Libraries Rock.” Farwell said they decided to use the musical definition of “rock” so many of their summer programs have a musical theme. Even Super Steve, the Science Guy, will concentrate on music during his visit when he brings kid friendly experiments into the library. Other programs include the Opera of the Ozarks performing excerpts from “Cinderella” on June 27. A complete calendar of summer events is available at the library.

There are programs aimed at teens and adults too, Farwell said, and this summer will see a family night event each week. On June 26, families are invited to participate in Family Karaoke Night.

Both children and teens receive a lanyard when they sign up for the Summer Reading Program. When they meet their reading goals, they not only get an online “badge,” they also get a matching button that they can attach to the lanyard.

Teens also earn badges on what Farwell calls an “activity track.”

“We send them out to the community,” she said. “We’re trying to send them places like the Community Band concert at Blowing Springs.”

They are asked to take a selfie at each event to show they participated. They are also asked to write two book reviews. Like the younger children, the teens can earn prizes. Some prizes go to everyone who meets their goal, but there are some larger prizes that will be raffled off and meeting a goal enters the reader into the raffle.

Last year, Farwell has over 300 people participating in the Summer Reading Program, including 13 teens. So far this year, 169 people, including 21 teens, have been registered. Registration is open until one week before the program ends, she said.

Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista True Love tries out the inflatable obstacle course that was set up behind the library as part of the kick off for the Summer Reading Program on Wednesday last week.

Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista Grace Martin tries out the "Makey Makey Rock Band" that the Amazeum staff brought to the the Bella Vista Library last week.

Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista Zoey and Andrew Leach add thier own flavors to snow cones at the library last week after they signed up for the Summer Reading Program.

Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista Alyson Pulvirenti (left) helps Mary Katherine Lyle sign up for the Summer Reading program with Teen Advisory Board volunteer Andrew Hull on Wednesday last week. Mary Katherine was one of the first children to register.

Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista Belle Lester (right) isn’t quite sure as Tonya Bingham prepares to paint her face at the library during the signup event for the Summer Reading Program.