West Point Library starts "Find Your Voice" program

WEST POINT - West Point Public Library urges families to go to the library and sign up for Find Your Voice!
The West Point Public Library launches its Find Your Voice! summer reading program on Monday, June 5. To kick off our Summer Reading Program we are hosting a Family STEAM Night on June 6 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. There will be a variety of hands-on STEAM activities for all ages, plus free balloon animals and even a special story time
During the next two months, the library will host a range of free activities for children through adults to encourage and support a love of reading. Youth participants will receive a chain necklace and earn brag tags by returning weekly reading logs as well as earn tickets to enter into one of three grand prize drawings. Adults can get in on the action too by earning raffle tickets for themed baskets. All children (ages 2-12) who return at least one reading log will receive a free book at the end of the summer! Registration begins May 30 and can be done online or in person.
“We’ve planned a wonderful program for kids to make the library a great place to read, learn, and discover what’s available for their enjoyment,” said Dara Sanders, library director. Similar to last year, the majority of the youth programs will be held outside this summer in the shelter house on the square across from the library. This includes our Preschool Story Time on Mondays from 10:00-10:45 am and our Wednesday Afternoon Summer Programs/Performers. The library is excited to welcome Absolute Science’s Mega Foam Blaster Cannon and the Fantastic Foam and More Show, Sheltered Reality, Magician Makayla Oz, Lee County Conservation, and Lee County Extension to our library this summer. For kids wanting to learn how to crochet, we are offering the Cozy Crochet Club. This is geared towards kids entering 3^rd – 6^th grade and will meet on Thursdays beginning on June 8.  For our adult patrons, we are excited to have our Geri-Fit program continuing on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00-1:45 pm. Geri-Fit is a video-led strength training exercise class for older adults. On Fridays, Mahjong is played starting at 1:30 pm. All skills levels are welcome and we are happy to teach anyone wanting to learn.
In addition to our regular programs, we are also offering three special adult events. The first being “Remembering the Apron” on June 22 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm featuring presenter Sheila Craig and 100 of her 400-apron collection. Next is a Painting Party on June 27 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm (registration required). Finally, there is the Glass Plate Project Open House on July 20 at 6:00 pm where the Library’s Glass Plate Negative Collection featuring 300 plus local portraits from the 1930’s will be on display.
There’s also a serious side to summer reading. Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss. “Studies also indicate students who read recreationally outperformed those who don’t. Students read more when they can choose materials based on their own interests,” Sanders, added. “Our library is committed to supporting lifelong learning and educational enrichment for all families.”
Throughout the summer, when you stop by our library, you will be able to go on a Library Treasure Hunt, help us complete our sticker mosaic, take a StoryWalk™ around town, and check out the Putnam Museum Pass!  Don’t forget about our book sale on June 8 - 10 during our normal operating hours. There is so much to see and do at the West Point Public Library this summer, so if you would like to learn more, print out a complete calendar of events, and/or to register please give us a call at (319) 837-6315, visit our website www.westpoint.lib.ia.us, or stop by the library.