Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Andalusia Public Library is gearing up for the summer and bringing fun activities to the community with its annual Summer Reading Program beginning Thursday at 3 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities” with the library decorated to resemble an ocean.

“The purpose of the summer reading program is to encourage reading for children, teens, and adults. We offer books suggested by teachers for summer reading, AR books, books on magic tricks, books on ocean animals, and books on summertime activities. We have waves over the circulation desk with jellyfish. There is a huge octopus over the door that we need the children to name. Adult patrons are finding books to read on the beach. Everywhere you look, there are ocean references, and we are excited for another year of our wonderful program at the library,” Children’s Librarian Caryl Lee Ray said.

The first presenter this year will be Mark Seymour and his program “Be-At Your Best.”

“We are really looking forward to having Mark for our first presentation of the summer. He will bring and play almost 70 different percussion instruments to entertain and educate all the library children. Students sing along and learn positive life lessons through his original songs such as ‘Don’t Be a Bully,’ ‘Catch the Reading Bug,’ ‘The Magic Drumsticks,’ and ‘Step to the Beat and Read.’ He introduces many exotic instruments to the students and believes that music and humor are such wonderful vehicles to show students learning can be fun. This will be exciting for children of all ages,” she said.

Ray added that there would be door prizes and giveaways for those in attendance.

Since school let out for the summer, she said many children and adults have visited the library to get a library card.

“It’s exciting to see the books they decide on. Watching them leave holding these books tightly is like watching them with treasures. We have already seen an increase in the number of children in the building. There were over 50 children and 40 adults present last Friday for Story Time.”

APL has all kinds of fun activities planned for the children this summer in addition to the reading program. “Story Time always brings a big group of happiness. We are painting clown fish and constructing octopus arms,” she said.

The Andalusia Public Library is located at 212 South Three Notch Street and is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information email library@cityofandalusia.com or call 334-222-6612.

“I have been involved with the summer reading program since I was a child. I got to bring my own boys as a young mother. Now, I get to find and present these performers who do amazing shows. I get to work with children to find books to read and get be a part of their lives. I really do have the best job ever,” Ray said.

The remainder of the Summer Reading Program schedule is as follows:

• Friday, June 10 – Preschool Story Time
• Thursday, June 16 – Animal Talks with Live Animals, 3 p.m.
• Friday, June 17 – Preschool Story Time
• Thursday, June 23 – Magician Tommy Johns, 3 p.m.
• Friday, June 24 – Preschool Story Time
• Thursday, June 30 – Painting and Sea Animals, 2-4 p.m.