Can you believe how fast the summer is moving? It’s July already.

We have had wonderful participation in this year’s summer reading adventure of Camp Read. We did go outside before it became too much to bear and made pool noodle rockets. We’ve made sit-upons and mosquito bracelets, tried our hand at science and had a visit from the Talewise group.

Each week the children have worked on reading challenges. They have been challenged to read minutes, to read in a variety of places, to visit the park or go on a hike and to read books that were red, white or blue or had those colors in the title. Participation with the challenges has been amazing.

On July 12 we will celebrate reading over the summer and prizes will be awarded to a lucky few. After that, we will take a break and rest and get ready for fall reading events.

Toddler story time will continue on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. for 18 months to 3 years along with their parents or caregivers. This is a time for a story, related activity and then learning to play together and making friends.

Preschool Story time has two sessions left on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. This is for 3-5 year olds and their parent or caregiver. This group hears 2-3 stories followed by related activities. One week we read Henny Penny then tried to keep a balloon in the air; if it fell to the ground we yelled “The Sky is Falling!” We also read the Little Red Hen and then did the chicken dance (which if you have never paid attention is about a four minute work out). The session will be July 12 and then there will be a break until September.

While some programs will stop for the summer, you may still visit the library and enjoy the air conditioning while you choose books, read books or color one of the coloring sheets.

The last book sale at the Annex will be Saturday, July 8 and everything must go. Remember, this is a fundraiser for the Mineola Memorial Library and we appreciate your generosity.

We will not be accepting donations of books, DVDs, CDs or audio books. We simply do not have the room at this time. We are working on a plan. Cash donations are still being accepted and are very welcome.

The Mineola Memorial Library is a 501(c)3 non-profit and your donation may be tax-deductible.