This weekend, local libraries will be celebrating the start of summer with book lovers, young and old, with the start of annual summer reading programs. Summer reading programs in Sherman, Denison and Van Alstyne begin on June 1.
Registration for all three programs themed “Color Our World,” has already started through the Beanstack app.
“Libraries can choose their own theme or we use the organization Collaborate Library Summer Programs and they let libraries vote on themes each year,” Youth Services Librarian Cassie Wickline said Thursday.
There is no age restriction on participation in the summer reading program.
“The cool thing about our program is, we tell all the parents who say they read book to their children, that those books count for their log as well,” Wickline said. “You can add those minutes to your totals as well as their totals.”
Last year, the Sherman library had just over 1,000 registered readers for the program.
The Sherman Public Library will have its annual kick off event starting at 2 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the library at 421 N. Travis in Sherman.
There will be water slides, a bounce house, free snow cones, free gift bags for early guests and more.
“We will have a 22-foot giant water slide in addition to a very long inflatable slip and slide and for the little, littles, we are going to have a bounce house,” Wickline said.
There will also be a giant canvas where individuals can help paint a large picture.
“Our end of the reading program party will be on Aug. 2,” Wickline said. “I believe the last day to log minutes will be the last day of July.”
Monday Madness, summer reading events, begin Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Sherman Municipal Ballroom. The first guest will be Mike Williams who will be doing a magic show.
“We collaborate with Sherman Parks and Recreation for these events,” Wickline said. “We come together to choose the performers for those events.”
“We choose performers who are not only entertaining, but we want ones that can teach us all a little something,” Wickline said. “Sometimes they are more fun and sometimes they are a little more educational. This year we have several animal shows because we find that kids love to learn about all of the animals.
“We have a raptors show. We have a snake encounters show and we are going to have what the performer calls, “A Gentle and Fluffy Show.” But we threw in some surprise guests.”
Other ways the library is more than books includes activities available to check out including electronics and more.
“We bring people in for the first time sometimes and show them all the things we have to offer,” Wickline said. “Every time, they are like, ‘Wow, we had no idea you all did all this stuff.’ We have everything from STEAM kits to robots for drag and drop coding. We have Nintendo Switches and all types of board games. Some of those are educational and some are just for fun. Those are for all ages. We have the Everbrite Lite wall. That is fun for all ages.”
A ribbon cutting was held Thursday afternoon for a new section of the library. The new makerspace was a project for the 2025 Sherman Leadership Class.
“We have a new edition that people will be able to use in June,” Wickline said. “The makerspace is more for adults. We have 3D printers, laser printers. We have a hat press and heat press. We have a sewing machine and a poster printer. We have a laminator. It has a big open space for people to craft and be creative.”
The stuffy sleep over will be June 4. Stuffed animals are invited for a sleep over at the library.
“After they pick up their stuffies, they are able to come to the library later in the week for a photo collage showing what their stuffy did during the sleepover,” Wickline said.
Many of the programs this summer at the library are thanks to a grant the facility received from a grocery store chain.
“We did want to thank HEB who did award us a Summer at the Library grant,” Wickline said. “So, that helps with a lot of our funding to do a lot of the fun things our community likes to do. We are very excited and very thankful that we received that grant. We look forward to having all kinds of fun this summer.”
Van Alstyne will be celebrating the start of the summer reading program with its annual Splash Bash Saturday. This event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be held at Central Social District Park at 215 E. Van Alstyne Parkway.
There will be zip lining, face painting and a balloon artist. Food trucks will be onsite. Special guests at the event include Elmo, Bluey, Spiderman and Michaelangelo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Summer reading program events will continue throughout the summer Mondays and other days throughout the summer.
David Slick- Guinness World Record Juggler will be performing at 10:30 a.m. Monday at 588 W. Denton, Van Alstyne. The story stroll will be held June 9 at the Forrest Moore Park, 189- S. Waco Street. A multimedia program called, “Do Art” will be held at 10:30 a.m. June 14 at the Van Alstyne Recreation Center.
Over in Denison, the summer reading program kicks off on June 7 with a program from 10 a.m. to noon. The featured guest will be the Amazing Ramazini.
The program will continue with events on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. with story times and other events.
