The Tallassee Community Library's annual summer reading program kicks off June 5 and will continue through July 31.
To better accommodate the community, the library will offer two classes this year on Wednesdays. The first class will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m. The only exception is the Thursday, June 20 class when Dr. Atoms visits.
“This year the reading program theme is ‘Alabama Has a Universe of Stories,’” library director Margret Lumpkin said. "We choose that because this year Alabama turns 200 years old."
According to Lumpkin, the program will focus on attractions across the state, including the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. The program will also introduce children and parents to Alabama State Parks.
There is a long lineup of family entertainment scheduled for the upcoming program, such as Todd Keys with the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Yarbrough's Reptiles will also visit the library this summer with its footless friends in tow.
Lumpkin said the library will offer plenty of craft projects.
Only books from Tallassee Community Library may be read and recorded on reading charts. Every child will receive a prize for completing the reading program and there will be a special prize for the most books read.
"We have a first-, second- and third-prize winner for each for the child who reads the most books in each age group," Lumpkin said.
Children or parents will be responsible for writing the title of the book down on the reading chart and parents should make sure their child's name is clearly written on the reading chart when turned in.
"The reading charts will be turned in each week," Lumpkin said. "The child will receive one sticker for each book read. Stickers will be placed on the charts by the following Friday."
Parents are encouraged to monitor the child's sticker chart.
"We encourage children to read at their reading level," Lumpkin said. "If your child doesn't know how to read, you may read to them. If you have more than one child, you may read to all the children and each child may record the books read. You may make one reading chart with all children's names on the chart."
Children age 10 and above must read books from the Junior Section. These books are located on the tall, brown bookcases in the library. Ten books may be checked out per library card. However, Lumpkin said all books should be returned before checking more books out.
"You may visit the library as many times as you want per day/week," she said.
The summer program is not a "drop and go" and Lumpkin said an adult must remain at the library with the child at all times.
For more information about the Tallassee Community Library's summer reading program, call 334-283-3732.