Our public library has faced adversity over the last few years. It will continue for the next few years while a new space is being rehabilitated for our permanent home. In the meantime, the director and staff have rolled up their sleeves and put in the hard work, with a smile on their faces, to make the temporary location as welcoming as it can be. This was evident during the summer reading kickoff that took place yesterday afternoon.

Amid the blistering humid heat (though luckily the sun wasn’t really out) in a park in another park of town there was a reptile show, a local ice cream shop dishing out scoops of the treat, a bounce house, crafts, bubbles, balloons and face painting, and giveaways to enhance the atmosphere of registering for summer reading. The statewide theme is Color Our World which is a beautiful nod to libraries and leads to copious ideas for programming and events.

What I liked most was the less is more approach– it was a two-hour event, it focused and did well to enhance the activity stations and events. My teenage boys had just as much fun as a five year old and I faced a fear by draping a rather large albino snake around me after the reptile show ended.

If you haven’t already checked out what activities are happening at your local public library, stop in or visit their social media. I guarantee there’s a kickoff looming if it hasn’t already happened and welcoming opportunities to connect and learn throughout the summer.