Copperas Cove Library’s Summer Reading Program kicks off June 13

By BRITTANY FHOLER

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Public Library’s 2023 Summer Reading Program will kick off on Tuesday, not with a bang but with bubbles instead.

The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Program is “All Together Now”, with the intent to “engage kids ages 1-15 in activities based on community, kindness, and friendships, that will be told through stories, crafts, programs, and songs,” according to the EventBrite website for the program. Registration for the program opened up on June 1. The Kickoff will be held June 13, at 2 p.m., featuring Big Time Bubbles.

Children are encouraged to read throughout the summer and keep track of their reading through a Reading Log, which can be picked up at the library’s circulation desk. July 21 will be the last day to turn in these summer reading logs.

Additionally, the Summer Reading Program offers family friendly shows every Thursday.

This year’s Thursday shows include Jeff Hapke, the Bubble Magician on June 15; Austin Reptile Show on June 22; the Austin Mad Science Show on June 29; the Wild Things Zoofari on July 6; Joe McDermott (singer, entertainer) on July 13; and Tiny Tails to You (another educational, hands on, live animal show) on July 20. These shows are available at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Although the shows are no cost to attend, tickets must be reserved online. Tickets will be available the day before the performance, at 9 a.m.

You can visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-reading-registration-23-tickets-5672... to register for the Summer Reading Program, and from there, you can find links to the tickets.

The Teen Group meets every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the first program being Manga Art Drawing with Mr. Pitts on June 14. There will also be a drum circle with percussionist Mark Shelton on June 21 and an opportunity of learning about fishing with Heroes on the Water on June 28. In July, teens will have the opportunity to learn about dog training with Shy LeBlanc on July 5 and Pinterest crafting on July 12. There will be a session for learning about 3D printing and laser etching on July 19, with a pizza party closing out the Teen Group Summer Reading Program on July 26.

Tuesday afternoons at 2 p.m. will offer informative presentations for the inquisitive minds, with options to include learning about bees and beekeeping with Phil Ainslie on June 20; learning about 4-H from the Coryell County 4-H ambassadors on June 27; learning from the Texas Master Naturalists on July 11; and a visit from Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful plus the opportunity to make wildflower seed balls on July 18.

Hero Camp will be every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for ages 7 to 10 or 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for ages 11 to 17.

New for this year is an Adult Summer Reading Program, where adults can log their reading and win prizes as well. Held every Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Adult Summer Reading Kickoff: One Book, One Community is June 16. The title will be revealed at the kickoff event. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

On June 30, adult readers will enjoy A Taste for Murder event, pairing chocolates with murder mysteries. Drinks and snacks are also provided.

July 14 will be a dessert social and author night, where local Science Fiction authors will do readings from their latest works and then will help judge the desserts brought by the attendees.

July 28 will wrap up the Adult Summer Reading and One Book program with a book discussion and will be the last day to turn in reading logs and get reading prizes. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

The Summer Reading Program is funded by the Friends of the Library, which has a book sale set up in the front lobby of the library.

There are also three programs this year that are funded in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts: Mark Shelton (Teen Group on June 21), Joe McDermott (Thursday shows on July 13) and Tiny Tails to You (Thursday shows on July 20).

Several local businesses have donated coupons for prizes or provided materials for the program this year: Raising Cane’s, Chick-Fil-A, Whataburger, Dairy Queen, Sonic Drive In, Subway, and the Cove Theater. HomeBase is also sponsoring the Hero Camp.

For more information on the Public Library, visit https://www.copperascovetx.gov/library/.