Lewes Public Library announces 2013 Summer Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program offers a variety of activities and events for all ages at the Lewes Public Library. This summer's series, Dig Into Reading at the Lewes Library, will kick off with a musical program by Simple Gifts at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 20.

Children can sign up for the Summer Reading Program at the library. Participants agree to spend time reading every day throughout the program. Youngsters who are read to by another are also encouraged to participate. A Congratulations Party will be held at the end for those who complete the program; prizes include books and gifts from local sponsors.

Additional summer performances, all set for 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays, include the following: June 27 - Rick Waterhouse, Escape from the Great Books Mine; July 11 - Sankofa African Dance & Drum; July 18 - Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre, "Jack & the Beanstalk"; July 25 - Two of a Kind, musical performance; and Aug. 1 - Miss Jackie, stories & songs.

Summer story times & programs are scheduled as follows:

Mondays - 10:30 a.m., Children’s Learning Garden story time; 2 p.m., L.E.A.P. Reading with Dogs.

Tuesdays - 10:30 a.m., Preschool story time.

Wednesdays - 10:30 a.m., Toddler story time.

Saturdays - 9 to 10 a.m., story hour at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market.

Science Explorers Club -  1 p.m. on Tuesdays for grades K to 5 from July 2 through July 30.

Picnic in the Park - Thursday mornings following programs, featuring games and activities from around the world. Bring a bag lunch to enjoy in Stango Park.

Several special programs are also set for this summer.

Rainforest Rendezvous with Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, for grades K to 5.

Also, a three-day children’s art workshop for elementary school-age children will be held Tuesday to Thursday, Aug. 6 to 8.

There will be a session for children entering grades K-2 and a session for children entering grades 3-5. Space is limited and sign-ups are required. A lottery will be held Aug. 1 to select participants.

Call the library at least 10 days before an event is scheduled if special accommodations are necessary.

The special programs held during the Summer Reading Program are sponsored by a variety of organizations. The children’s art workshop, Rick Waterhouse, Miss Jackie, Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre, Two of a Kind and Sankofa are made possible, in part, by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency committed to promoting and supporting the arts in Delaware. Other programs are sponsored by the Delaware Division of Libraries and the Friends of the Lewes Public Library.

For more information, call the library at 302-645-4633 or go to www.leweslibrary.org.