— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Anne Blankenship Pascale Bruns, teen/reference librarian at Kendall Young Library said teens who complete reading logs for the summer reading program will have a chance to win prizes. The library also has reading programs for adults and younger children that begin June 1. A special kick off is planned Friday at the library after school dismisses for summer break.

The Kendall Young Library is gearing up to roll out its summer reading programs for children, teens and adults, beginning June 1, according to library officials.

Library Director Ketta Lubberstedt-Arjes said the programs allow participants to spend time reading and maybe, earn some prizes.

“It runs through July 31 and is for all ages from baby to 100-plus. It doesn’t matter what age you are, there’s a program for you,” she said.

The summer programs will actually kick off on Friday, May 28 as Webster City students are dismissed from school for summer vacation. Classes will be let out at 12:15 p.m. that day, and those who head to the library afterwards can sign up for the summer reading programs and get a special treat, as well.

“We’re going to hand out Fla-Vor Ice treats and then they can sign up for the programs,” she said.

The event will be held outside on the library grounds, as will nearly all of the summer activities.

“We still don’t want a lot of people in the building at one time. We want to be safe with COVID still around,” she said.

The library is back to regular hours and appointments are no longer required, Lubberstedt-Arjes said, but she asks that patrons try to keep their visits to just 30 minutes. And masks are still required in the building, she added.

Those who can’t attend the Friday event can sign up anytime after June 1 to participate, the library director said.

Children can read books and log their minutes of reading on a sheet available at the library. Once they’ve finished the reading logs, kids can turn them in to enter a prize drawing. Each completed reading log counts as an entry for the drawings, Lubberstedt-Arjes said.

“We’re giving away some great prizes. We have a Little Tyke Wheelbarrow, a lemonade stand, and a Karaoke machine,” she said.

She said that there will be other smaller drawings throughout the summer for those checking out books or even turning in a coloring contest entry.

“This year, baby’s are included in the program. Moms and dads read to their babies, so they can complete a log to turn in for the drawing,” she said.

Children will also find adventure and activities during the summer reading storytimes. Baby storytime for those aged 3 months to two years will be held June 3, 10, 26, July 8, 22 and 31 from 10:15 to 10: 45 a.m.

The Hungry Caterpillars, preschool age children, will meet Wednesdays June 2 through July 28 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The June 2, June 23 and July 7 sessions will be a storywalks at Brewer Creek Trail. Those participating will meet at the bottom of Hospital Hill on those days. All other events are set to be held on the library grounds, Lubberstedt-Arjes said.

The Wild Things — pre-K through 2nd grade (for the coming school year) — will meet Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. They will have storywalk sessions at Brewer Creek on June 1, June 22 and July 13.

Enderkids, those in grades 3 through 5 next school year, will meet Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This group will head to Brewer Creek Park on June 10 and July 29 for Frisbee Golf — or Frolf — with Friends. All other programs will meet at the library.

Lubberstedt-Arjes said that children will get an entry for a prize drawing for each program they attend.

The Teen Summer Reading Program — Reading Colors Your World — for teens in 6th through 12th grade will meet every Tuesday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. outside the library. Teens can either do physical reading logs or can use Beanstalk online to enter the drawing for the grand prizes, according to Pascale Bruns, teen/reference librarian.

Beanstack is the web-based Summer Reading Program management software that allows participants to track reading minutes, do activities and view upcoming events.

Prizes for the teen program include an Instax Mini Instant Camera, an Echo Show, $50 Fort Frenzy gift card and a JBL Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, Bruns said.

The Adult Reading Program can also use a physical reading log or Beanstalk to log their reading activities and enter the drawing. Lubberstedt-Arjes said the grand prizes for adult readers include a Kindle Paperwhite, a Ring Video Doorbell 2, library-themed gift bags, an Echo Show 5 and a book sign.

Special events

Kendall Young Library will also offer a variety of special programming throughout the summer.

The Blank Park Zoo will visit on Thursday, June 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. and will present a program on reptiles.

A three-week series on foraging for edible and medicinal plants will be held June 1, June 9 and June 15 at 5:30 p.m. Presented by library staff member Chris Fullerton, the first session will be held outside the library and will cover common edible and medicinal plants around Webster City. Those attending will learn ways to prepare medicinal plants and will be able to take home a seed starter kit to grow culinary herbs.

The second session will be a stroll through Brewer Creek Park, where participants will find the plants discussed in the first session. The last meeting will be crafting with nature. Those attending will learn to make medicinal salves and take home a finished product. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and check in at the front of the library.

On July 1, Sue Schmitz from ISU Extension and Outreach of Hamilton County, will speak on creating rain gardens. The program will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside the library. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and to meet at the front of the library, according to Lubberstedt-Arjes.

Capping off the summer reading programs at the library will be a foam party for all ages on July 30 from 4 to 7 p.m.

“This is our big finale,” she said. “We’ve rented a foam machine and this will be our conclusion to the reading programs. It’s for all ages — so families can come enjoy the party,” she said.