Local libraries plan summer fun

There is fun to be had at the Clovis and Portales libraries this summer as both prepare for the start of their summer children's program to begin the first week of June.

This year's theme for both libraries is "Build a Better World" in which the two libraries are planning STEM (Math, Science, Technology and Math) activities, events that emphasize treating the Earth kindly and of course, some activities in which "we are going to just have fun, and it won't really follow the theme."

Krissie Carter, youth services librarian at Clovis Carver Library, said the program has "a little something for everyone" with a program for 7 years and up and a toddler program for 4 years and under.

She said Mondays at the Clovis library will be "Movie Monday," but the summer will also include many exciting visitors, such as the Clovis zoo, the astronomy club and Curious Chris, the singing scientist.

"The kids love him. He always has interactive things," Carter said of the singing scientist. "Just fun, fun, fun all summer long, and it's free. Everything is supported by the community. It is all community-sponsored."

Tawna Luscombe, children's librarian for the Portales Public Library, said their program will have "Full Steam Ahead" on Mondays with science activities with bristle bots, kids in the kitchen and more. Tuesdays will be arts and crafts with shrinky dink art, mouse trap cars and more. And Thursdays will be guest performers, such as the singing scientist, the mobile dairy classroom, the Clovis zoo, Garden Source and the science spectrum from Lubbock.

"It's a lot of STEM stuff, science, technology stuff in it," she said of the program. "There's also a lot of emphasis on taking better care of the planet. We're going with that but putting our own spin on it."

Both librarians said their favorite part of the program is seeing the children, particularly the older ones that they don't get to spend time with during the school year.

"I get to see the older kids. Kids that have already come up through the pre-school program that I used to read to. It's fun to see how they have developed," Carter said.

The Clovis program will run Monday-Friday, June 5-July 27.

Luscombe said children who want to participate in the reading incentive program need to register on May 31, but other programs do not need to be registered for. The reading program requires children to read or be read to for two hours per week for a prize at the end of the summer.

The Portales library program begins June 1 and also runs through the end of July.

"I've got lots of favorites, but I enjoy seeing new faces and old faces," Luscombe said of the program. "Even though it's busy and hectic, we do have a lot of fun with the kids, and we get to know them better."