Children enjoy activities during the launch of the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Dearborn Public Libraries launch the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Readers of all ages were encouraged to “Color Our World” May 31 as the libraries kicked off the summer reading program with family-friendly activities outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Summer reading program materials were given to families as they arrived.
Crafts, games and activities engaged children, who decorated and flew their own kites, practiced twirling hula hoops, built with wooden blocks and munched on popcorn.
A character artist capture attendees’ images, and the Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities were on hand to provide resource information.
Library Director Betty Adams said the program is fun because one can let their imagination go wild, and it is important for the exact same reason.
“The imagination is the key to learning, and it’s the key to us creating the future that we all dream to have,” she said. “We want to give all children of Dearborn that experience.”
Adams said the summer reading program isn’t just for children – it’s for adults as well.
She said people may participate virtually or through the in-person activities.
Readers are encouraged to track their reading with a log, which may lead to rewards.
Assistant Director of Library Programs and Services Rebecca Hermen said the cumulative efforts of summer reading program participants can lead to community rewards, such as items added to the lending lab.
Adams said the library’s lending lab provides non-traditional materials, such as ladder ball, giant Connect 4 and cornhole, which can be checked out just like a book.
“It’s a great option for the community,” she said.
Dearborn Youth Librarian Lindsey Kult enjoys the launch of the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Dearborn Youth Librarian Lindsey Kult said that every week during the summer she is doing either an art-based program or a STEAM-based program.
She said the art-based programs are for all ages, while the STEAM-based programs are aimed at upper elementary and middle school children.
STEAM programs integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math to foster innovation, creativity and critical thinking.
“I’m doing things like shaving cream art, next week I’m doing painting with pH scales, and 3-D print design,” Kult said. “I am offering a wide variety of STEAM and art programs.”
She said they will also have a program for babies once a month.
“In June, there’s going to be a toddler drive-in,” Kult said. “You decorate a box to be like a car, and then we watch a movie.”
She said she’s also planning a named-based story time where they get to decorate a name plate after story time, and the last activity will challenge them to use anything but a brush to do painting.
Kult said the library programs for children provide important socialization skills, get a group of people together and build a community.
“I especially love doing children’s programing because it allows the parents to socialize with other adults and the children to learn important socialization skills,” she said.
Kult said she has fan clubs for Dog Man, the Baby-Sitters Club novel series, and Wings of Fire, which is a dragon-based fantasy series.
For more information about library programs, go to dearbornlibrary.org.
Above and below, children enjoy activities during the launch of the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Above and below, children enjoy activities during the launch of the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Assistant Director of Library Programs and Services Rebecca Hermen (left) and Library Director Betty Adams (front right) prepare craft materials for the launch of the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities provide information during the launch of the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Families receive information from Library Director Betty Adams (left) during the launch of the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
A character artist captures images during the launch of the summer reading challenge “Color Our World” May 31 outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.