JONES COUNTY LITERACY
The Jones County Library is kicking off their summer reading program June 7, making the library a place for inclusion and kindness for all, and combining reading with the Jones County Schools to make everything one seamless program.
Branch Manager Julie King said she is excited for the summer reading program this summer. She said she wants everyone to visit the library and to feel welcome.
“We have partnered with the Jones County Board of Education, and instead of the students having separate logs and separate readings, it’ll all be combined with the library,” she said. “They can sign up for Beanstack on the app or through us here at the library, where they can get prizes. They can also get prizes through the schools. This gives the kids more than just doing one or the other.”
She said the kickoff for summer reading is June 7 at 1 p.m., and the Museum of Arts and Sciences will be coming out that day. Every Wednesday they will be having something big go on, and they will have snow cones June 14 at 9 a.m.
“Our library park is almost finished. We have tables and benches with a shade sail, so anyone can come. There is internet access out in the parking lot, so you can work and enjoy the sunshine. We are adding several things to it,” King said.
The branch manager said Hometown Heroes will be June 21 at 10 a.m.
Fire and police departments will have their vehicles at the library for the children to see. She said a guest artist will be visiting the library June 28 at 9 a.m.
“We have a lot happening this summer,” she said. “We will have a guest speaker and dress up day July 5 at 10 a.m., The Gray Garden Club will be here July 12 at 9 a.m. We will do planting out at the new library park area, Public Works is coming July 19 at 9 a.m. with their trucks, and then we will have a Party to the Finish July 26 at 9 a.m. where we will have lots of fun stuff outside to finish off summer reading.”
King said they have a lot more going on this summer at the Jones County Library, and she said all of that information can be found on their calendar, which is on the library’s Facebook page.
The Beanstack app can be found by visiting https:// www.beanstack.com/.
“We have so many prizes for the kids for summer reading. The kids will get a sheet here unless they want to do it on the Beanstack app. Every 30 minutes of reading they’ll put a sticker down, and every five hours they’ll come in and get a prize or book. Its the same for 10 hours. For 15 hours they can get two books and a prize, 20 hours a prize or a book, and at 25 hours of reading they get a big prize and three books,” King said.
She said every time the children come into the library after reading 5 hours, they get a ticket to enter in for the grand prize drawing. Anything counts as reading, not just reading library books. She said it’s important for children to keep reading, so they’ll stay ahead and be prepared for the future.
“Our theme this year is unity, friendship and kindness, so we have the library set up for that. We have a kindness tree and set up everything like Mr.
Roger’s Neighborhood,” she said. “We set up the entire library to be a place of inclusion, and we love everyone here. We want people to be here. Visit us and enjoy reading this summer.”
The Jones County Library is located at 146 Railroad Street in Gray.
For more information call 478-986-6626 or visit the Jones County Library Facebook page for a list of all library activities.
