What do a former Ringling clown and a children’s author have in common?

Sara Hahn

They’re coming together to entertain with a wild animal adventure this summer.

Join us from June 1 through July 31 for a summer of “Tails and Tales,” celebrating animals and stories, both in person and online.

We’re pleased to offer a new, free program for our patrons in partnership with READsquared and Page Turner Adventures, which are provided by the State Library of North Carolina and our wonderful Friends of the Stanly County Public Library.

This summer, visit http://stanlycountylibrary.readsquared.com/ or download the READsquared app to create an account for each of your children and log minutes read to earn prizes.

For each hour read, levels 1 through 10 are completed, and a raffle ticket for our grand prize drawing is earned. Be sure to check in to your READsquared account each day and visit the “Missions” tab for virtual programming that includes everything from comedy shows to cooking, author visits, crafts and more.

This interactive experience is sure to entertain and is available for ages 3 through 18. Remember, if you don’t have internet access at home,  you can log into our computers at any library location with your library card. If you’re not one for apps and internet and prefer paper tracking, we have that option for you as well.

Come by any library location to pick up a paper reading record to track your minutes, and let us know when you’ve reached your levels by reading.

We’re looking forward to introducing in-person programming back this summer, with a post-COVID twist. We will host socially distanced story times each Wednesday at 10 a.m., and History Hunters immediately following on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

Registration is required for these programs, so call 704-986-3758 to sign up. If you can’t make it in, don’t worry, we will record these programs and post them on our Facebook page each Wednesday afternoon for those who couldn’t attend or grab a spot.

Be sure to join us each Friday at 2 p.m. downstairs in the meeting room for a Summer Movie Matinee (PG) that goes along with our theme of the week. We will be showing two teen movies (PG-13) this summer as well, on the last Thursday of each month at 2 p.m.

If you’ve got a little one at home with you this summer, ages birth through 3 can complete 10 items on a June/July Early Literacy activity calendar to earn a prize while working on skills that include talking, writing, singing, counting, reading and playing.

If you thought all of the summer fun was just for kids, you’ll be thrilled to find that adults can earn a prize, too. Read or listen to six titles from June 1 through July 31 and turn in your reading log to pick up your tote bag (while supplies last).

We’re excited to see you this summer while you visit your local library to listen to tales about tails and check out materials to earn prizes. Also, remember that we are with you digitally as well, through our Libby app for NC Digital Kids ebooks, audiobooks and more.

Currently Reading: “Three Perfect Liars” by Heidi Perks

Picture Book Highlight: “Big Bear, Small Mouse” by Karma Wilson

Sara Hahn is the Children and Youth Services Librarian of the Stanly County Public Library in Albemarle. You can reach her at shahn@stanlycountylibrary.org or the Albemarle Library at 704-986-3758.