Daleville library program open for kids ages 3-18

The Daleville Public Library recently kicked off its summer reading program with 80 youngsters signed up for the children's program and 25 signed up for the teen.

The theme for this year's children program, ages 3-11, is "Dig into Reading," and "Beneath the Surface," for teens ages 12-18.  

The Dig into Reading program began at the library June 12 with a touch of magic and a man with a few tricks up his sleeve.

Huntsville native and magician Russell Davis entertained the crowd with several jokes and magic tricks that featured books, balloons, cards and bunnies. 

For about eight years, Davis has been performing "The Magic of Reading!" show for children and young adults around the state. 

Davis said what he hopes the children will take away from his show is that reading can be fun.

"Everything I learned about magic, I learned by reading books," he said.

Davis is one of several presenters that will be featured in the Dig into Reading program at the library this summer. 

The Dig into Reading program will have a guest reader each Wednesday on June 19, 26 and July 10, 17 and 24. 

For a complete list of readers, contact the Daleville’s Public Library at 503-9119.

The Dig into Reading program is open to all children ages 3-11 years old, with 3-6 year olds meeting from 10-11 a.m. and 7-11 year olds meeting from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

In addition to the Dig into Reading program, the Beneath the Surface program launched at the library June 5. 

“The turnout was actually much better than I anticipated,” Daleville Public Library librarian assistant Rachel Horne said. “The kids seemed like they were interested in it and having fun.”

This is the first time the Daleville Public Library has hosted a teen summer reading program. Local leaders met about two months ago with a plan for the program, and Daleville City Council members approved the funding during a May 7 city council meeting. 

Kathryn Brown, director of the Daleville Public Library, said the purpose of the summer reading program is to keep the children’s minds and reading skills active for the next school year, as well as to provide them with a fun-filled experience.

Skyler Pruitt, a 17-year-old volunteer at the library, said he joined the program because he wanted to stay involved this summer, and said he’s glad other teens felt the same way.

“What kind of makes me happy about this is the turnout of other teens,” he said. “They’re trying to get involved. It’s also kind of a shared learning experience because you might learn about a new book or you might learn how to do some of the projects that we’re doing like the ‘Hobbit’ house.”

With the Beneath the Surface program, teens can enjoy a long list of arts and crafts, books, games, and the opportunity to win incentives and prizes every Wednesday from 3:30-5 p.m.

“It has been a lot of fun, and they keep adding more stuff to do that makes it more interesting,” Pruitt said. “I just like doing the construction of the projects and also having the ability to read books that I haven’t read before or reread them in a different format. I plan on coming each day.”

Horne said the teens are so grateful for the program and have been asking for her to thank the city council members on their behalf.

“I am having fun with the library and teen program,” Dekari Outten, 16, said. “I just hope that the teen program keeps going on because this is actually a fun experience for all the teens around the Wiregrass. If we can spread the word out more we can actually get the teens (to come), and we can do some more fun activities.”

The Beneath the Surface program will continue through July 31.

For more information about the 2013 summer reading programs, contact the Daleville Public Library.

There is no fee to participate in either program.