Long winter months have been perfect for reading. Staff at Missouri River Regional Library hopes that just because the weather warms, the desire to read does not stop.
To help encourage summer reading for all, the library will kick off their adult, teen and children's summer reading programs with an event from 6-8 p.m. Friday in the library's art gallery.
The program officially starts for all participants today. The adult and teen program runs through Aug. 31, while the children's ends July 29.
Claudia Schnoonover, facilitator for the adult summer program, said the adult program has new features this year that include craft classes that follow the theme of "Novel Destination." There will be a variety of classes, Traveling Tips and Mango Language Learning Class. The library will also host author Ann Hazelwood at 7 p.m. Aug. 9. Hazelwood wrote the book, "100 best Kept Secrets of Missouri."
Courtney Weaver, teen librarian, said there will be a lot going on for teens this summer, especially those who take part in the reading club to win prizes like tote bags, keychains, books and gift certificates.
The club is open for those 12-18. Weaver said teens can also listen to audio books to count toward their goal. Being a mentor in Reading Buddies at the library will also count to the goal.
Teens can read any items they like; they are simply asked to complete 40 hours of reading for the program.
- Florida (21-2) beat Tennessee 94-78. Next: at Georgia, Wednesday.
- Wisconsin (22-2) beat Northwestern 69-52. Next: at Penn State, Wednesday.
- North Carolina (20-3) lost to N.C. State 83-79. Next: at No. 8 Duke, Wednesday.
- Ohio State (20-3) beat Michigan State 63-54. Next: vs. Michigan, Tuesday.
- UCLA (20-2) beat Oregon State 82-35. Next: vs. Southern California, Wednesday.
- Kansas (19-3) vs. No. 10 Texas A&M. Next: vs. Kansas State, Wednesday.
- Pittsburgh (20-3) did not play. Next: at West Virginia, Wednesday.
- Duke (18-4) did not play. Next: vs. Florida State, Sunday.
- Oregon (19-4) lost to Southern California 71-68. Next: vs. Arizona State, Thursday.
- Texas A&M (18-3) at No. 6 Kansas. Next: vs. No. 22 Texas, Monday.
- Memphis (19-3) beat SMU 88-52. Next: at UAB, Thursday.
- Oklahoma State (18-4) lost to Colorado 89-77. Next: at Oklahoma, Wednesday.
- Butler (22-2) beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee 66-47. Next: at Cleveland State, Thursday.
- Marquette (20-4) beat Providence 69-62. Next: vs. Rutgers, Wednesday.
- Nevada (20-2) vs. Hawaii. Next: at Fresno State, Thursday.
- Virginia Tech (16-7) lost to Boston College 80-59. Next: vs. Virginia, Saturday.
- Air Force (20-3) beat Wyoming 88-43. Next: at San Diego State, Tuesday.
- Washington State (18-4) at Arizona State. Next: vs. No. 23 Stanford, Thursday.
- Alabama (17-5) beat South Carolina 64-61. Next: vs. Mississippi State, Wednesday.
- Arizona (15-7) beat Washington 84-54. Next: at Arizona State, Thursday.
- Notre Dame (18-4) at South Florida. Next: at DePaul, Thursday.
- Texas (16-6) lost to Kansas State 73-72. Next: at No. 10 Texas A&M, Saturday.
- Stanford (14-6) at California. Next: at No. 18 Washington State, Thursday.
- Vanderbilt (15-7) vs. Georgia. Next: at Tennessee, Saturday.
- Clemson (18-5) lost to Georgia Tech 80-62. Next: vs. Florida State, Wednesday.
Ruth Ann Stratman is organizing the children's summer reading program with the theme "One World, Many Stories."
As usual, there are lots of children and family programs to keep kids busy during the summer. There are 48 programs scheduled for children this summer alone.