A summer reading program participant tests their knowledge of Arabic color names during the “Color Our World” summer reading program kickoff June 21 at Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS – Summer reading program participants found many ways to “Color Our World” June 21 at the kickoff event at Caroline Kennedy Library.
Participants decorated cloth tote bags with markers, painted in watercolors, and learned to match the Arabic names for colors to the correct hue.
One popular session was a visit from the Reptarium, which provided hands-on reptile interactions for participants.
Library Director Michael McCaffery said they were planning six weeks of action-packed, fun activities for families during the summer reading program.
Summer reading program participants receive a hand-on introduction to reptiles during the “Color Our World” summer reading program kickoff June 21 at Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights.
He said with the kickoff being at Caroline Kennedy Library, the program finale will be at John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library, which will include a school supplies backpack giveaway.
McCaffery said there is an adult summer reading program as well.
Library Outreach Manager AJ Wyatt-Moir said she was excited to be able to book a visit from the Reptarium for the summer reading program kickoff.
She said they also have a collection of Arabic language books at both branch libraries, as well as digital materials, which were expanded a few years ago because of a grant, and include books for children and adults.
“The idea is that every age group is going to be able to have materials in Arabic language to enjoy,” Wyatt-Moir said.
She said there were areas during the summer reading kickoff where participants could do watercolor painting, as well as marble art, where paint-covered marbles roll across a surface inside a box, creating a unique design.
“So, there are a lot of opportunities to create some new fridge art now that school is over,” Wyatt-Moir said. “We also have a scavenger hunt over there, so it’s a lot of fun.”
She said the staff loves being a part of the community and seeing people of all ages at the library.
“We have babies in strollers. We have grandparents,” she said. “It’s just something we really look forward to, and we love that the community comes in and gets to have fun with us and we get to have fun with them.”
Youth Librarian Steve Nesovski said he has been a proud patron of the Caroline Kennedy Library since he was a child, and events like the summer reading program kickoff allow them to meet the next generation of readers, as well as learn what types of materials they like and should purchase for them to borrow from the library.
“Everything we read now is a classic,” he said with a laugh. “Events like today really do a great deal into promoting what the library’s mission is about, about what our place in the community is, and, again, we always try to change things up from year to year to look for ways that we can grow, become bigger, become better.”
Nesovski said he would like the library to be a hub that children think of when they are in search of summer enjoyment.
He said both libraries have a lot of events planned throughout the summer for the reading program, often one every day at each branch, so there is always a reason for people to go in, fill out their slips, grab their books and receive prizes.
Nesovski said the Dog Man books are popular with children, as are The Baby-Sitters Club books, graphic novels, Big Nate, the Harry Potter series, and the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.
He said younger children like the series books for Itty Bitty Princess Kitty, Dragon Masters, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries, as well as the Bluey books, Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig for preschoolers.
Nesovski said The Hunger Game books are popular because of the tie-in with the movies.
He said they see a drop off in reading among teens as socializing with their friends and activities vie for their time, and because required reading for school makes reading for pleasure less of a draw.
For more information about the summer reading program at the Dearborn Heights libraries, go to dhlibrary.org.
Above and below, summer reading program participants paint using watercolors during the “Color Our World” summer reading program kickoff June 21 at Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights.
Above and below, summer reading program participants receive a hand-on introduction to reptiles during the “Color Our World” summer reading program kickoff June 21 at Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights.
Above and below, summer reading program participants receive a hand-on introduction to reptiles during the “Color Our World” summer reading program kickoff June 21 at Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights.
A summer reading program participant proudly displays the tote bag he decorated during the “Color Our World” summer reading program kickoff June 21 at Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights.