Week one of summer reading at the Stillwater Public Library begins with a ventriloquist performance and a field trip to the Prairie Arts Center for children. There will also be opportunities for teens to explore theatre production and for adults to learn about raising backyard chickens.
The week of fun begins on Tuesday, June 3, with "Prism Break," featuring Meghan Casey and the Rocky Mountain Puppets.” Award-winning ventriloquist Casey and her puppet friends will journey through alternate dimensions to fix their broken kaleidoscope and find their way home. There will be two performances: one at 10 a.m. and a repeat at 2 p.m. Tuesday performances are best suited for children up to fifth grade and take place at the Stillwater Community Center, located at 315 W. 8th Street.
The message of “Prism Break” is important to Casey.
“There is so much beauty in the world around us with so many colors,” Casey said. “These days, I feel like there are too many people sucked into their electronics, so it's important to me to emphasize being aware of your surroundings.”
Children’s librarian Elizabeth Murray also shared that there will be an additional sensory-friendly showing of “Prism Break” on June 3 at 4 p.m.
“This performance is for children with sensory processing disorders,” Murray said. “We will limit the audience size and adjust the lighting and sound to help children with different needs enjoy the show.”
Teens launch into summer reading on Wednesday, June 4, at 2 p.m. with “Acting 101.” Teens going into grades six through 12 will meet at the Stillwater Community Center to learn the basics of theatre production and play fun acting games with professionals from OSU’s Theatre Department. They will also tour the theatre at the Community Center.
“We’re fortunate to be working with the OSU Theatre Department,” said Jordan Stine, teen librarian. “OSU professor David Weber will teach teens how to tell stories through acting and instruct them on basic lighting and music techniques. Plus, we’ll have pizza and give away a music-themed tumbler to one lucky teen.”
This year, instead of weekly movies, the library will host family field trips on Thursdays.
On June 5, the first field trip will be to the Prairie Arts Center, located at 1001 S. Duck St. Attendees are invited to drop by this come-and-go event between 10 a.m. and noon to create colorful art projects. Children must come with an adult.
There will also be an adult program, "Raising Chickens in Town," on June 5 at 6 p.m. Jennifer Patterson from the Payne County Extension will talk about local laws, regulations and best practices for raising small flocks of chickens. The program will be at the Botanic Garden at OSU, located at 3300 W. 6th Street.
Adult services librarian Brenna Gilchrist hopes everyone who attends grows to love chickens as much as she does.
“Living in the country, I’ve been able to keep chickens for several years now and find them to be fun, curious and a little mischievous,” Gilchrist said. “They also lay eggs, which are fun to gather in the mornings and evenings.”
The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library fund program costs and most grand prizes for the Summer Reading program. Other major supporters include the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Chris’ University Spirit and Ross Stores Foundation.
To register for the summer reading program or for more information, visit stillwaterok.gov/LibrarySummer. Contact the library with questions by phone at (405) 372-3633 x8106 or via email at askalibrarian@stillwaterok.gov.