LEARNING AT THE LIBRARY
Fri, 2016-06-17 05:00
News Staff
Library kicks off summer reading program
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
Sports, books, swords and shields were in the forefront of Wednesday morning’s kickoff for the Copperas Cove Public Library’s summer reading program.
The Friends of the Library volunteers were on hand to help parents sign up their children for the program, which runs through July 28. During the event, Martha Dye, summer reading program coordinator, explained how readers of all age groups can complete reading and activity logs to earn prizes for each of three levels. Those who reach all three levels will be invited to a pizza party sponsored by Domino’s at the end of the program.
Dye, a former teacher, said one of the aims of the annual program is to help kids not lose what they’ve learned over the previous school year.
“Also, we want kids to learn to love reading. Reading opens up so many things,” said Copperas Cove Library Director Kevin Marsh, clad in medieval gear as he talked about this year’s program theme: sports and fitness.
In addition to talking about sports and learning about sports and fitness and teamwork, Marsh reminded the children there were plenty of books about sports and fitness in the library.
The Rabbit Fest royalty were on hand to introduce themselves, and shared about their favorite sports and books.
Marsh said this year there will be a variety of sports and outdoors themed events, such as a creek walk which was held on Tuesday afternoon, with other events including a sports panel and even a morning of golf at the Hills of Cove Golf Course. Kids will also be able to attend a martial arts demonstration and 5-11 year olds will have the chance to learn some CPR basics.
Dye told the kids this year about an ongoing contest during the program.
“We’re going to have a pennant contest,” Dye told them. “This can be for your favorite sports team or sport, book or author.” She showed them an example of a pennant she made.
Marsh and some of his cohorts from the Society of Creative Anachronism then staged several rounds of his favorite sports—armored combat—using swords and other homemade weapons.
They stressed safety, with their helmets, armor and weapons, and shared protocol for doing battle.
Like last year, the kickoff event concluded with kids having the chance to decorate their own cardboard shields and play with a balloon sword. Some even picked up a simple cardboard and yarn weaving project to enjoy.
The library kicked off its first event yesterday afternoon, two performances of the Austin Reptile Show, for kids of all ages. This year shows like this one will have two presentations on Thursday afternoons.
The shows are free, but parents and/or guardians must pick up tickets the morning of the event, with the room capacity at 150. Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. This is being done this year in order to avoid long lines, with some being turned away.
Signup is still ongoing for the reading program. Information about the show dates and times can be found on the library’s calendar online at the City of Copperas Cove website, or by calling the library at 254-547-3826.