SUMMER READING IS HERE

Kickoff event makes a record-breaking day

  • Library Assistant Leigh Sloan reads to kids at the June 3 story time, which is part of the multiple summer reading activities at the Jones County Library. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
    Library Assistant Leigh Sloan reads to kids at the June 3 story time, which is part of the multiple summer reading activities at the Jones County Library. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
  • Georgia Watermelon Queen Adahy Pritchett was a favorite of youngsters at the June 1 kickoff. CONTRIBUTED
    Georgia Watermelon Queen Adahy Pritchett was a favorite of youngsters at the June 1 kickoff. CONTRIBUTED
  • Paper mache sea creatures created by art students at Jones County High School follow the Summer Reading Program theme of Oceans of Possibilities. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
    Paper mache sea creatures created by art students at Jones County High School follow the Summer Reading Program theme of Oceans of Possibilities. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
  • Sloan signs up a family for the Summer Reading program. Sign ups will continue through program’s end Aug. 7. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
    Sloan signs up a family for the Summer Reading program. Sign ups will continue through program’s end Aug. 7. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
  • The Oceans of Possibility theme is found throughout the library with fun and creative displays and posters. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
    The Oceans of Possibility theme is found throughout the library with fun and creative displays and posters. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

    The kickoff for the Summer Reading Program at the Jones County Public Library turned out to be a record-breaking occasion, logging the largest number of patrons for a day to date.

    This year’s theme for the program is “Oceans of Possibilities.” Sign-ups for the program began May 23 with the kickoff held June 1.

    The program continues until Aug. 7 with special events happening several days each week.

    Branch Manager Julie King said 225 patrons attended the kickoff event, and the total number of patrons for June 1 was a record 361.

    “There were outdoor games, bubbles, popsicles, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, corn hole, water ball sling shot, horseshoes and ring toss,” she said.

    King said the kids came out and played, enjoyed watermelon from the Georgia Watermelon Queen Adahy Pritchett and greetings from Mayor Ed Barbee.

    “The area was alive with laughter and bubbles. After playing outside, most of our families came into the library and signed up for the Summer Reading Program. It was a beautiful morning and felt like an old-time summer picnic,” she said.

    This is the first year the Summer Reading Program has been under King’s leadership.

    Library Assistant Lynn Applegate, who started at the library in 2020, was able to experience her first in-person summer reading event this year.

    “The kickoff to summer reading was an extremely exciting and busy day,” she said. “We signed up so many children and adults for the reading program. This is my first experience with summer reading since starting here when covid shut everything down. I look forward to all the different programs we have going on all summer long.”

    Library Assistant Leigh Sloan has been involved with several Summer Reading Programs, but she said this one definitely stands out.

    Sloan enjoys working with teens, and she noted that more of that age group have already signed up this year than the past seven years.

    “Community members have been amazed by the decorations around the library. Over 30 paper mache sea life animals were created by Jones County High School Art students. The shark mouth entrance and the octopus in the large print book area were done by art student Brynlee Vaugh,” she said.

    Sloan said she thought a comment from a patron at the kickoff said it best.

    “I know we have the right library lady when we had to wait in line to just say hello,” she said.

    It is not too late to sign up for the Summer Reading Program. In person registration can be done at the library or it can be done online using the Beanstack app. The reading goal for this year is 25 hours. The reading program is open to all ages: children, students and adults. Age-appropriate prizes are awarded for every five hours read.

    Upon registration, patrons receive a packet containing information about the program, log sheets with stickers, and a calendar of events. Oceanthemed books and activities are featured each week throughout the program, including ‘Diving and Oceans’ at 11 a.m. June 15 with special guest diver Heather Jones.

    For more information about the Summer Reading Program and/or other events at the Jones County Public Library, call 478-986-6626, visit the library located at 146 Railroad Street or go to the library’s Facebook page.

    The library’s hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.