Approximately 300 children have signed up for the “One World, Many Stories” summer reading program at the Adel Public Library.

In addition, 50 teens are registered for their program, “You Are Here.” And sign up continues!

With this large amount of kids reading lots of hours, director Paula James and youth director Laura Hanson will surely have to keep their promise of dying their hair.

If the number of hours read exceeds last year’s total, Paula and Laura will be sporting a new look at the library.

Come on, kids, we know you’re up for the challenge!

Preschoolers are having fun with their own classes this summer: 10:30 a.m. on Mondays, and Music Time at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays. Toddlers are meeting on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Children grades K-5 may stop by for Drop-In Crafts held each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. while supplies last.

The Adventurer Club meets on Wednesday afternoons at 2 p.m. with a different theme each week.

And the Magic Tree House Book Club will meet for the final time on Tuesday, July 19 at 2 p.m.

A special event for kids is the Teddy Bear Sleepover on Monday, July 11 at 6 p.m.

Children are asked to bring their Teddy Bears. The kids won’t be staying overnight but the Teddy Bears will be. Kids and bears will be reunited the next day with some surprises.

Teens are also having a great time at the library this summer reading, volunteering and attending special events.

Teens will meet on Thursday, July 7 at 2 p.m. to talk about books they have read.

An “Easy Cooking: Mexican Food” class for teens will be held on Monday, July 18 at 2 p.m. Ole!

And Harry Potter enthusiasts will love the Harry Potter Movie Marathon Week from July 11 to July 15.

The entire series will be shown in order in the community room at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with the part one of “The Deathly Hallows” to be shown on Friday at 10 a.m.

Teens are asked to bring their own snacks and pillows.

The reading program winds down in late July with all reading logs for children and teens due on Friday, July 22.

Teens will have their Grand Finale party at 6:30 p.m. on that day.

Those earning top reader status will be treated to a bowling party on Tuesday, July 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Adel Family Fun Center.

The Blank Park Zoo will come to the library on Wednesday, July 27 at 1:30 p.m. for the Grand Finale. All participants in the reading program are invited to attend.

Upcoming activities for kids in August:

• Annual Lego Contest on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 10 a.m.
• “American Girl Tea Party” on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. Make reservations by Aug. 5

More information concerning these events will be in the August newsletter.

July adult activities include:

• Scrapbooking, Thursday, July 7 at 1 p.m.
• Friends of the Library meeting, Thursday, July 7 at 6:30 p.m. to make plans for Used Book Sale
• Brown Bag Book Club, Thursday, July 14 at noon
• Evening Book Club, Thursday, July 28 at 7 p.m.
• Exercise classes continue three mornings a week at 9 a.m. Free. Pick up a schedule at the front desk.

Many more items have been added to our next Garage Sale on Friday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 30 from 10 a.m. until noon.

Donations continue to be accepted.

You may also bring books for the Friends of the Library Annual Used Book Sale on Saturday, Aug. 13 in conjunction with Sweet Corn Days.

The library will be closed on Independence Day, July 4.

Library hours are:
Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Hey, kids!

The Adel Public Library is the place to be this summer and it all begins Tuesday, May 31 – the first day to sign up for the annual Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.” Start earning prizes on June 7.

And, as always, activities are free for children of all ages.

The library staff has a summer packed with fun activities and special events. And kids may earn prizes just for reading! Lots of new books will be on the shelves just waiting for eager readers.

Top readers will be eligible for the Top Reader Only Bowling Party.

Preschoolers will enjoy Preschool Story Time on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. beginning June 13 and Toddlers are invited to Toddler Time on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. beginning June 14.

Both groups are invited to participate in Preschool Music Time on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. beginning June 16. Parents or caregivers may read aloud to children to earn coins and get prizes.

Preschool age children are called the “Explorers.”

The “Adventurers” are school age children grades K-5 who will also read to earn coins and treasurers.

Teens, grades 6-12, may read, volunteer, and attend programs to earn raffle tickets for fabulous books and prizes.

Regular activities for school age children include Drop-In Crafts and Adventurer Club on Wednesdays, and two sessions of the Magic Tree House Book Club.

Teen activities will be announced at a later date.

The whole family can get involved as well by signing up for “Up, Up and Away”, a special challenge for families.

Special Events in June Include:

• “Creations With a Twist” – awesome balloon art and stories on Tuesday, June 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the library community room.
• “Picnic in the Park” – Bring your lunch and join us for games and fun at Evan’s Park on Thursday, June 9 at 11:30 a.m.
• “Human Candy Land Family Night” – Enjoy a game of Candy Land on our human sized game board on Monday, June 27 at 6 p.m.

That’s a lot going on at the library this month, but that’s not all!

Our two book clubs will continue to meet during the Summer.

The Brown Bag Book Club will meet on Thursday, June 16 at noon to discuss “Daily Coyote” by Shreve Stockton.

Evening Book Club members will discuss “Into the Forest” by Jean Hegland on Thursday, June 30 at 7 p.m.

Our next garage sale fundraiser will be held on Friday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. until noon.

More and more items are added each week so each sale offers different items for a free will donation. Proceeds will be used for library projects.

Donated items may be dropped off during library hours.

Did you know that 42,031 patrons used the Adel Public Library in 2009-2010? This is up from 29,712 in 2008-2009.

Have a great summer! See you at the library!

Library hours are:
Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Summertime is special at the Adel Public Library. Why? Because of a summer full of crafts, games, prizes, books and special guests. All you have to do is sign-up for the free summer reading program!

This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories” and sign up begins Tuesday, May 31. Library Director Paula James and Children’s Librarian Laura Hanson have promised to dye their hair – some wild color, no doubt – if program participants read more minutes than last year!

More details to follow!

Come on kids! This is a challenge that’s too good to pass up!

The kick-off event will be “Creations With a Twist” on Tuesday, June 7 at 1:30 p.m. Join Creations With A Twist for a fun, interactive, story-time stage show! Children of all ages are invited.

The last Preschool Story Time and Toddler Time sessions end during the first week of May. There will be two Preschool Music Times, however, on Wednesday, May 11 & 18 at 10:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time and Toddler Time will resume the week on June 13.

Additional Children’s Event:

- Early out from School Movie – Wednesday, May 11 at 1:30 a.m. (“Tangled”)

Teen Event:

- Make Your Own “Angry Birds” – Monday, May 9 at 4 p.m.

The library staff needs volunteers who would be able to shelve books on a regular basis. Please call 993-3512 if you are interested.

The Adel Public Library is looking for talent for its last adult program of the season – “Open Mic Night at the Library” on Friday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the library community room. This isn’t a competition; just a fun night of sharing local talent ages high school through adult.

Since last year’s Open Mic Night was a big success, we are bringing it back. Suggested talents include vocal and instrumental selections, poetry or prose recitations, comedy, etc. A karaoke machine will be available as well. Performances should be suitable for all ages. There is a limit of two pieces of work per person. Participants should be prepared to perform only one, however, in case the list of performers is long.

And we will need an audience as well. Everyone is invited to attend. There will be refreshments, and door prizes will be given throughout the evening.

Performers must register at the front desk of the library. For more information call 993-3512.

Adel resident Joyce Fowler will hold a book signing at the library on Monday, May 16 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for her book, “Eleanor: a walk through time.” This book is an account of the life of Eleanor Bremer; Joyce Fowler’s mother. This book features memories from Eleanor Bremer, whose family was among the first settlers in Osceola County. Joyce has been a resident of Adel since 1982 and began writing her mother’s story in 2000. Copies of this book will be available to purchase at the signing.

The library’s two book clubs have chosen to read “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay for May. The Brown Bag Book Club will meet on Thursday, May 12 at noon and the Evening Book Club will meet on Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m. New members are always welcome. Copies of the book are available at the front desk.

Two Adel Public Library Foundation fundraisers will be held in May.

A book party fundraiser will be held featuring Celebrating Home and Avon products May 2-26 to raise money for new books. Flyers will be available at the desk and payment must accompany each order.

The May Garage Sale will be held on Friday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to noon in the unfinished portion of the library on the second floor. Proceeds will be used for library projects.

The library will be closed on Memorial Day, May 30.

Library hours are:
Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.