While Saturday, July 22, marks the final day for summer reading participants to enter reading time and earn prizes, programs continue all week at Stillwater Public Library (SPL). A children’s program will take place on Tuesday with two showings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Kids can attend a movie program later that week on Thursday with two showings at the same times as the children’s program. Teens going into grades 6-12 will have a program on Wednesday starting at 2 p.m.
On Tuesday, July 18, SPL welcomes Finer Arts for “Thrown 2Gether Theater.” Looking to combine learning and laughs, Barrett Huddleston invites children to learn about unity and kindness all over the world. There will be interactive puppets, clowns and storytelling as Huddleston puts on a show for children.
Elizabeth Murray, children’s librarian, is thrilled to welcome Finer Arts for the first time to Stillwater’s stage for another entertaining and educational show this summer.
“We are so intrigued to find how one performer can combine Aesop’s Fables, cooperative learning, mental wellness AND world literature all into one hilarious show for the whole family,” Murray said.
Later in the week on Thursday, July 20, children and families can watch a movie at the library. There will be two showings, one at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This PG Disney film tells the story of a teenager who, after living on the island she calls home, must embark on a quest to save her people from ruin. Movie titles and rating information can be found on the library’s website.
Teens looking to show off their technical and scientific knowledge can come to a teens-only program on Wednesday, July 19, at 2 p.m., entitled “Launchers,” featuring Mad Science, who will help teens work in groups to design launching machines. Teens will test different kinds of launchers such as rockets, and how to discuss how each one flies.
Teen librarian Jordan Stine aims to have teens use their heads to work together and have fun.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Mad Science for coming down to help us again,” Stine said. “They were awesome for the children earlier in June; we hope the teens will have just as much fun and learn something new this summer.”
Summer reading participants will continue to earn prizes for coupons and grand prize drawing entries for every five hours read all week, but the final day to enter reading time is Saturday, July 22.
Adult reference librarian Brenna Gilchrist is pleased with how much people have read this summer using Beanstack, SPL’s new online reading platform.
“This is our first year with Beanstack,” Gilchrist said. “Having a quick and convenient way to log hours makes getting prizes easier for everyone. We’re also incredibly thankful to the local businesses and sponsors for donating such wonderful prizes and coupons.”
There will be a grand prize winner drawn for each of the three age groups: children, teens and adults. SPL librarians will randomly draw the winners after July 22. Children’s winners will be announced at the July 25 Award Ceremonies. Teen and adult winners will be announced via social media by July 26. Grand prize winners will get to choose from the following options:
- Kids: A pet adoption fee and a supply gift card, a gift card to a local bookstore of their choice, a Lego set or an annual pass to Lake McMurtry (value not to exceed $100).
- Teens: Pet adoption fee and supply gift card, a gift card to a local bookstore of their choice, a laptop or video game system (value not to exceed $300).
- Adults: Pet adoption fee and supply gift card, an annual pass to Lake McMurtry or a gift card to their local bookstore (or local business) of choice (value not to exceed $200).
Learn more about upcoming summer reading programs, movie titles and register with Beanstack to track your reading.
The library’s summer reading program is sponsored by the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, and numerous local businesses that provide reading incentive prizes.