OC Voluntary Library summer reading program begins Tuesday

The Ozark County Volunteer Library is gearing up for its annual summer reading program – and it’s going to be a great one this year, organizers say.

The program kicks off next week with story hour at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, in the basement of the library. 

Story times will be held each week at 10 a.m. on these dates: June 20, June 27, July 1, July 11, July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1 (all story hours are on Tuesdays with the exception of Saturday, July 1). 

The program is free of charge and features a once-a-week story time, presentation and craft activity at the library paired with a book log for at-home reading with incentives and prizes for reaching certain age-appropriate reading goals. 

This year’s summer reading program’s theme is “All together now: friendship and kindness.”

Organizers say that there is a terrific lineup of presenters and guests who will lead various presentations during the weekly gathering at the library including Sam Stewart with the Missouri Department of Conservation who will visit on two different occasions with presentations on natural communities in nature and a particularly interesting program titled “life is sweeter with bees.” 

Other planned presentations and activities include one titled “You are what you eat;” a live music performance by Luther Hampton, Suzanne Meeks and friends; and a new session led by Amber Johnson focused on children’s mindfulness, yoga and breathing work. Another session will have participants work together to make a collaborative art project that will be exhibited at the library when it is finished. 

Children and teens of all ages are invited to participate, although organizers notes that story hour is geared toward elementary school-aged children. Preschool-aged children need to have an adult present during story time programs, organizers say.

Participation in the weekly story hours is not mandatory, and kids who want to sign up and meet the reading goals at home can do so and still qualify to be entered in for the grand prizes at the end of the program. 

Those who are in summer school or on vacation during some sessions are invited to participate in others when they are able to attend. A special end-of-program celebration will be held after story time on Tuesday, Aug. 1, with a presentation of certificates and drawings for prizes. 

For more information or to sign children up to participate in the summer reading program, call Aletta Moore at 713-907-6622 or email [email protected].