Summer activities at Sims Library

Nicholas P. Sims Library has launched its summer reading program, including summer reading challenges and free family programs.

“That’s our goal to just give them something fun to do in the summer and encourage them to read,” community services librarian Jennifer Graf said.

The family programs are free to the public and do not require a library card, Graf said. In the month of June, the library will host family programs every Tuesday and Thursday. These programs include the big-time bubble (June 20 at 10 a.m.), a tie dye day (June 23 at 10 a.m.), Perot Museum Tech Truck (June 27 at 10:30 a.m.), and Creature Teacher (June 30 at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m.). In July, it will have two family programs: All about Animals (July 14 at 10:30 a.m.) and the Brett Roberts Magic Show (July 21 at 10:30 a.m.). “We want to be a place for the community,” Graf said.

The event Graf is most excited about is the Brett Roberts Magic Show. She said she’s been wanting to get a magic show at the library for years.

“I’m going to be front and center for that one,” Graf said.

Along with the family programs, the library is hosting summer reading challenges for all ages.

“That’s for all age groups,” Graf said. “From pre-readers, like 2-year-olds, if your parents are reading to you, that counts, up to 105. There’s no age limit.” Each age group has a different reward. Children will earn tickets for every 30 minutes to an hour read, and at the end of the summer, they can use their tickets at the “end of summer store.” Teens will have a weekly prize drawing for anyone who read and logged at least 30 minutes the previous week, with the top teen reader awarded a $100 Amazon gift card at the end of the summer. For every 30 minutes read and logged, adults will have one entry into the end of the summer prize drawing, with gift cards for Amazon ($100), H-E-B ($75) and Target ($50) being the prizes.

Right now, they have 431 active readers who have already read a total 167,381 minutes this summer.

“It doesn’t matter what you’re reading as long as you are reading,” Graf said. “As long as we have the title in our system, you can count it.”

The summer wraps up with a carnival at 10 a.m. July 29. The carnival will include yard games, face painting, snow cones, dunk tank, petting zoo, balloon artists and more. “The carnival has been around for decades,” Graf said. “It’s the staple of the end of summer. The whole front yard is turned into a carnival to celebrate.”

Graf said the library’s summer events are only a success because of the help of their volunteers.

To join the summer reading challenge, visit https://www.simslib.org/summerreading. To volunteer, visit https://www.simslib.org/volunteer. For more information on upcoming events, visit https://www.simslib.org/ or follow @N.P.SimsLibrary on Facebook. Originally published June 19, 2023 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/arts_and_entertainment/summer-activities-at-sims-library/article_31e3e85a-0eb8-11ee-a9d3-a38e61d00e48.html