Benton Public Library launches its Have Book, Will Travel! Summer Reading Program on June 13 with a family picnic in the library’s back yard from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Over the next two months, the library will host a range of free activities for children, teens, and adults that encourage and support a love of reading. Participants can also win prizes for reaching their reading goals.

“We’ve got a great program planned for kids to make the library their number one destination this summer,” said library director Erin Steinsultz. “We’ve tried to include something that will be of interest to every member of the family.”

Special events include a Story Time visit from the Benton Fire Department on June 26 at 10 a.m. and repeating at 2 p.m., musicians from the group Tales & Scales will perform on August 1 at 10 a.m., and the Southern Illinois Miners mascots will present an anti-bullying program on August 8.

“We have Story Time every Wednesday, special family programs on Thursdays, and activities on select Fridays,” said Steinsultz. “We have teen activities on every Tuesday, and some Mondays. There is something happening at the library nearly every day the entire summer.”

A returning favorite will be John Ham with Animal Tales of Mayfield, Kentucky. John will be presenting the program Animal Underground on animals from five continents that make their homes underground.

“Live animals are always a huge hit with the kids,” said Steinsultz. “John is bringing a Paraguayan Screaming Hairy Armadillo, a Harris Hawk, an African Spurred Tortoise, an Egyptian Fruit Bat, and a Woma Python. That should make for a great show.”

The Summer Reading Program encourages families to view the library as a destination for great, family-friendly, free entertainment. However, there is a serious side to summer reading as well. Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss.

“Studies also indicate students who read recreationally out-performed those who don’t. Students read more when they can choose materials based on their own interests,” Steinsultz added. “Our libraries are committed to supporting lifelong learning and educational enrichment for all families.”

Registration for the Summer Reading Program continues through the end of the program on August 10. To learn more about summer programming at the library, please call 438-7511.

A full schedule of events follows:

June 10 – Registration Begins. Continues throughout the program.

June 12 – Children’s Story Time, 10 a.m. Read books, have a snack, and do a simple activity.

June 13 – Family Picnic, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hot dogs, chips and drinks provided. Potato sack races, duck pond, face-painting, and more in the library’s back yard! Featuring an obstacle course from Inflatable Fun! Please bring lawn chairs and blankets.

June 17 – Teen Summer Reading Program, SPAMALOT at the Muny in St. Louis! We’ll take a backstage tour and have a picnic on the grounds of Forest Park. Advanced registration and permission slips required. See Ms. Erin for more information!

June 18 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Activities & Games, 2 p.m. Kick off the Teen Summer Reading Program with a fun, casual get-together for all teens! Fun, games, and, of course, food!

June 19 – Children’s Story Time, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Read books, have a snack, and do a simple activity. The same program will be offered at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join us at either time!

June 19 – Book Discussion Club for Adults, Noon. Join us as we discuss Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. All are welcome. Join us even if you haven’t read the book. Feel free to bring your lunch!

June 20 – Pet Show, 10 a.m. Join us in the backyard for this Benton Public Library tradition. Well-behaved pets on leashes or in carriers welcome. Winners receive ribbons.

June 21 – Family Game Time, 4 p.m. Children, families, and groups welcome to join library staffer Ms. Lynette for some games in the meeting room. Fun activities will vary and may include the BPL Summer Reading classic, BINGO!

June 25 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Book Discussion & Activity, 2 p.m. Teens and tweens welcome to join us as we discuss The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Join us even if you haven’t read the book! There will be food!

June 26 – Children’s Story Time, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with special guest readers from the Benton Fire Department! See a fire truck up close and learn about fire safety. The same program will be offered at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join us at either time!

June 27 – Science Guy Jason Lindsey, 10 a.m. Awesome science experiments! Last year, Jason made a watermelon blow up inside the library! What will he do this year???

June 28 – Family Crafting, 4 p.m. Children, families, and groups are welcome to join library staffer Ms. Lynette for crafting in the meeting room. We’ll make some fun, simple crafts with a travel theme that can be taken home.

July 2 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Make a Fishing Lure with Bob Hagerman, 2 p.m. Teens can join BCHS instructor Bob Hagerman to learn how to make a variety of fishing lures. This is a fun activity for all teens. The lures can be used for fishing, as key chains, and more. Supplies are provided.

July 3 – Children’s Story Time, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Read books, have a snack, and do a simple activity. Guest readers will join us throughout the summer. The same program will be offered at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join us at either time!

July 4 – Library closed. Happy 4^th!

July 9 – Blood Drive, 2 to 6 p.m., Visit the American Red Cross bus and save up to three lives in just one hour’s time! As many people travel this summer, the need for blood is great. Please donate.

July 9 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Teen Games & Activities, 2 p.m. All teens and tweens welcome to join Ms. Erin for games and activities with the Have Book…Will Travel theme! Guest presenter anticipated.

July 10 – Children’s Story Time, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Read books, have a snack, and do a simple activity. Jennifer Newbury from the University of Illinois Home Extension joins us for a special program about nutrition. The same program will be offered at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join us at either time!

July 11 – Rick Rayburn, 10 a.m. Musical artist Rick Rayburn returns to the library to perform after a few years away! Rick is always a favorite! He’ll perform such great hits as Are We There Yet? and The Homework Blues! Not to be missed!

July 12 – Family Game Time, 2 p.m. Children, families, and groups welcome to join library staffer Ms. Lynette for some games in the meeting room. Fun activities will vary and may include the BPL Summer Reading classic, BINGO!

July 15 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Game Day, 2 p.m. Teens and tweens welcome for board games and snacks!

July 16 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Book Discussion & Activity, 2 p.m. Teens and tweens welcome to join us as we discuss The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Join us even if you haven’t read the book! There will be food!

July 17 – Book Discussion Club for Adults, Noon. Join us as we discuss The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. All are welcome. Join us even if you haven’t read the book. Feel free to bring your lunch!

July 18 – Family Movie – Curious George, 6:30 p.m. The Man in the Yellow Hat travels to Africa where he accidentally adopts an adorable, and always funny, chimpanzee named George. Rated G.

July 19 – Family Crafting, 4 p.m. Children, families, and groups are welcome to join library staffer Ms. Lynette for crafting in the meeting room. We’ll make some fun, simple crafts with a travel theme that can be taken home.

July 20 – Animal Undergound, 10 a.m. Join the staff of Animal Tales, to learn about five animals from across the globe that makes their homes underground. Featured animals are the Paraguayan Screaming Hairy Armadillo, Harris Hawk, African Spurred Tortoise, Egyptian Fruit Bat, and a Woma Python. We’ll get to meet those animals in person, too!

July 23 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Movies ‘til Midnight!, 6:00 p.m. to Midnight. We’ll show movies with a travel (or time travel) theme. Movies may be rated PG-13 or above, and you will be staying late at the library, so parental permission will be required. This is a TEEN event. See Ms. Erin for more information.

July 24 – Children’s Story Time, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Read books, have a snack, and do a simple activity. Jennifer Newbury from the University of Illinois Home Extension joins us for a special program about nutrition. The same program will be offered at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join us at either time!

July 25 – Talent Show! 6:30 p.m. Are you a fantastic singer or secretly a magician? Show off your talents at our BPL Talent Show! A variety of acts are encouraged. More information will be available closer to the Talent Show date.

July 27 – International Children’s Films with WSIU, 10 a.m. Join us for some short films from other countries. All films will be easily understood and enjoyed! There will be special activities to match the films and a special guest from a featured country! All who attend will receive a free book!

July 30 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Book Discussion & Activity, 2 p.m. Teens and tweens welcome to join us as we discuss Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. Join us even if you haven’t read the book! There will be food!

July 31 – Children’s Story Time, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Read books, have a snack, and do a simple activity. Guest readers will join us throughout the summer. The same program will be offered at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join us at either time!

August 1 – Tales and Scales, 10 a.m. This is highly interactive, jazz-infused telling of the story MICE! Hear and see the story of three mice and their quest to rid themselves of a frightening problem – the farmer’s new pet cat – through a blend of music, story, theater and creative movement calling musictelling.

August 6 – Teen Summer Reading Program, Backyard Water War & Twister, 2 p.m. Water balloons against opposing teams! Plus play a game of outdoor twister on the lawn and other outdoor games. Teens and Tweens only! Loads of fun – you don’t want to miss it!!!!

August 7 – Children’s Story Time, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Read books, have a snack, and do a simple activity. Jennifer Newbury from the U of I Home Extension joins us for a special program about nutrition. The same program will be offered at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join us at either time!

August 8 – Grounder’s Bully-Free Zone! with the Southern Illinois Miners Mascots, 10 a.m. Just in time for back-to-school, meet the mascots at this anti-bullying program. Learn how Grounder handles being bullied on his first day of school and what to do if it happens to you.