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The sky will be the limit this summer as children and adults explore their creative minds at the Andalusia Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program in June and July.

Filled with more art and reading activities for all ages, the 2025 theme is “Color Our World.” The Alabama Public Library Service determines the theme for all public libraries statewide.

“We are gearing up for a spectacular Summer Reading Program with programs for kids, teens, and adults this year,” Library Director Sara Mixson said. “One thing I am most excited about this year is The Classics Club. This program is for adults to come and talk about what they are reading, play a game, work on a puzzle, or just have a cup of coffee with us.”

Children’s Librarian Caryl Lee Ray, who has been a part of the program for her entire life, is excited for another year of fun.

“I started coming to the library as a child and helped as a teenager. As an adult, I have been doing this part for 18 years. Our program this year will be filled with arts, crafts, paint, color, vibrancy, brilliance, and all things wonderful,” Ray said.

The SRP begins with the new Classics Club program on Monday, June 2, at 9 a.m. with coffee and coloring for adults. Magician Gene Cordova will perform on Thursday, June 5, at 3 p.m. followed by a movie on Monday, June 9, at 1 p.m. Artist Rik Long will be in attendance on Thursday, June 12, to paint with ages 10 and up at 1 p.m. and ages 9 and under at 3 p.m.

A Crazy Crafts day will take place on Tuesday, June 17, at 1 p.m. with six stations set up containing different activities. The ever-popular Animal Tales visits on Thursday, June 19. Presenter John Ham will bring live animals to the library for ages 10 and up at 1 p.m. and ages 9 and under at 3 p.m. Build It with Legos will take place on Tuesday, June 24, at 1 p.m. before The Beas Knees Yoga Studio will demonstrate exercises on Thursday, June 26, at 3 p.m.

The Classics Club will continue into July on each Monday of the month. The library will be closed for Independence Day on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5.

Children ages 12-16 will build and race solar cars on Tuesday, July 15, at 1 p.m. The Victory Village Puppet Team (now known as AFGT Kids) will perform on Friday, July 18, at 10:30 a.m. A second movie Monday will be held on July 21 at 1 p.m. before a music day for ages 10-14 on Thursday, July 24, at 3 p.m. Children will perform at July Jamz on the same day at 5:30 p.m.

Raising Readers will be each Friday in June with baby time at 10 a.m. and preschool Story Time at 10:30 a.m. Raising Readers, which is held year round, will continue on Friday, July 11, and Friday, July 25.

Ages 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12 will participate in an art contest with a theme to draw something about Andalusia. First, second, and third place finishers will be recognized. Ages 13-18 will conduct a photography contest where participants can create a black and white or color picture of something that says Andalusia. The deadline for entries in both contests is July 25.

“We have artists who are coming along with art activities. We will have crafts, build solar cars, paint rocks, and do portraits. We have a little bit of everything and are going to do some amazing things this summer. Last year, we set a record for the largest attendance we have ever had with our program. This year, we are going to break it to the moon and blow wide open,” Ray said.

There will also be door prizes and reading prizes. Lost Pizza will once again donate coupons for children based on the number of books they read.

“Last year and the year before, we had a young gentleman named DJ who exceeded every reading goal for being 5 and 6 years old and read over 300 books. When you read your first 10 books, you get a Lost Pizza coupon and also get to go in the treasure box. At the end of the summer, whoever has read the most books will win a scooter that is on display for everyone,” Ray 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 and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information email library@cityofandalusia.com, visit the APL Facebook and Instagram pages, or call 334-222-6612.

“All patrons can earn points for attending programs and logging the number of books that they have read. Prizes will be awarded for all age groups. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s coming next,” Mixson said.