School’s out and summer vacation is once again upon us. The much-anticipated break in school, at least where the kids are concerned, marks the annual season of travel, camps, outdoor recreation and the lazy, hazy days of summer. Summer vacation also marks a time of intellectual expansion for many kids of all ages as local libraries kick off their annual vacation reading programs.

This year, Georgia public libraries will celebrate the theme “Reading Takes You Everywhere,” and libraries throughout the tri-county area will expand on this theme with programs and events for children as well as families.

Senoia Public Library

The Senoia Public Library’s 2007 Vacation Reading Program will run through July 25, and children in pre-k through sixth grade can pick up their reading logs beginning at the kick-off or anytime up to the end of the summer program at the library.

Senoia’s reading program will launch on June 5 at 2 p.m. with magician David Ginn as part of the summer’s Family Summer Showcases.

These programs will include professional storytellers, magicians, and a nature program and will all take place at the Freeman Sasser Building located in the Senoia City Park on Seavy Street.

Ginn returns with a “Road Trip to Reading” program. Using stories, comedy, magic and puppets, he will show children that “Every book can be a magic book.”

Other Family Summer Showcases include: story teller Josie Bailey at 10:30 a.m. on June 19, with "Fables, Folktales & Poetry;" a nature show with Dauset Trails Nature Center on July 12 at 10:30 a.m., which will include some small reptiles; and “Magic Reading Trail” with magician Ken Scott on July 24 at 10:30 a.m.

The Vacation Reading Program story times will be held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Senoia library building.

The program is being sponsored by the Thomas Crossroad’s Chick-fil-A reading program, and due to the support of the Senoia Area Library Board, and a Community grant from Wal-Mart, children and teens who meet their summer reading goals will receive a goodie bag that includes a book as a prize.

For a detailed schedule visit the Senoia library, call 770-599-3537, or visit the library website, www.senoia.com.

Fayette County Public Library

This Saturday from 12-4 p.m., the Fayette County Public Library will launch their summer reading program with a bash that will include fun for readers of all ages and interests.

To coincide with this year’s theme, “Reading Takes You Everywhere,” the kick-off will make the summer’s first stop at the circus. The event, which will be held outdoors at the library’s Fayetteville location, will include carnival games, a moon walk, clowns, face painting and food. The kick-off will also feature a magic show by magician Arthur Atsma at 2 p.m. in the library’s meeting room.

While everything at the event is free, tickets are required for the magic show due to the limited space. Tickets are available at the library and are given out on a first-come first-served basis. Prior to the start of the show, people without a ticket may be let in in place of ticket holders who do not show.

While readers may register at the program launch on Saturday, registration may occur anytime during the summer at the library.

The library will have over 100 programs this summer including a Harry Potter book release party in July and a 1950s sock hop in August. At times the library will play host to up to three events in one day.

During the summer, the library’s meeting room will be transformed into a kitchen of international cuisine. Chefs will come to the library and prepare food from around the world for those in attendance while also teaching them about customs of the country on topic.

Included in the registration pack for readers is a two dimensional version of the library’s mascot Dewey. Readers are encouraged to take Dewey with them on all of their summer trips and to take photos of him to submit to the library’s “Where in the World is Dewey?” program.

One thing the library would like to stress to parents thinking of registering their children for the program is that this is not a program designed to teach children to read. In the past, some parents have been under the misunderstanding that the library will be teaching their children to read, according to children’s librarian Sherry Turner.

“Our programs spark the interest to read about different interests,” explained Turner. As always, the library does have reading aids at the library designed to help children learned to read, but this program is more about getting kids interested in varying topics.

The reading program is open to all ages, a separate teen program and adult reading program are also ongoing this summer, and is open to anyone with a Pines library card. The program is not limited to those in Fayette County.

Programs are scheduled for those of all ages as well, and the library’s online calendar notes the age appropriateness of each event. At the end of the summer, readers who have completed the program will be awarded a prize. Teens will have a chance to win an iPod and adult readers will have a chance to win a $75 Visa gift card.

The Fayette County Library has worked diligently planning the summer reading program for seven months, and their hard work is obvious.

“We are funded by the Friends of the Fayette County Public Library, and we could not do it without their support,” said Turner. “They work very hard to make sure we are able to provide these programs to the community.”

For more information on the Fayette County Public Library’s summer schedule, visit www.fayettecountyga.gov and visit the library’s page. For questions, contact Sherry Turner at 770-461-8841 ext. 5328.

Tyrone Public Library

Tyrone’s Public Library’s summer reading program launched last week, and will get into full swing beginning next week. The library will join other state libraries as they set the program goal “to promote family literacy and to demonstrate that reading is fun.”

Readers who would like to participate in the program are invited to stop by the library during any open hours to register and pick up their reading logs. Registration is not required and anyone may attend any of the events being offered by the library.

On June 6 children will enjoy the audience participation play “The Fairytale Project” presented by Offshoot Productions.

“Trail of Crafts” will be held on June 13 and July 26. Registration for this program is required and space is limited, so register early! June 20 will feature a program called “This is your Life Amelia Bedelia” presented by Amy Beaucham. A Company of Friends will present “A Little Bit of Magic” on June 27.

The library will be closed on July 4 and no program is scheduled.

Other activities scheduled for July include “Fish ‘n’ Chips” presented by Curious Moon Puppets on July 11 and “Reading Takes You Everywhere Magical Reading Show!” presented by Ken Scott on July 18.

All programs are free and begin at 10:30 a.m. on the day of the event.

For more information on any of these events, contact the library at 770-487-1565.

Fairburn-Hobgood-Palmer Library

The Fairburn library’s summer reading program will kick off Saturday with an event scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. which will include entertainment, light refreshments, and a booth where readers can pick up their reading logs.

Families and individuals are invited to come see Lee Bryan, known as That Puppet Guy, who will present his Travelin’ Tales show from 11-11:45 a.m. His 45 minute performance will feature live vocal characterization, audience participation, masks, and basket puppets.

According to Bryan’s website, “From within a traveler’s suitcase, trunk, and bag emerge a tantalizing trio of multicultural folktales from around the globe. Combining storytelling with puppets and masks, your audiences will be thrilled as they watch these innovative puppets and beautifully handcrafted animal masks “come to life” before their very eyes!”

Following the show will be a behind-the-scenes puppet demonstration. No pre-registration is required, and space is available on a first come-first served basis, so it is suggested to get there early.

For more information on Bryan, visit www.puppetguy.com.

Following the puppet show, local balloon animal creator Sylvester Lowery will entertain kids with his colorful creations.

Other summer reading program events will include Fiddlin’ Dan, the Mountain Man from 3-4:30 on June 6, a showing of the movie “Everyone’s Hero” on June 13 from 3-5 p.m., a dinosaur program on June 20 from 3-4:30 p.m., a showing of “Ice Age: The Meltdown” on June 27 from 3-5 p.m. and more.

The summer reading program will run through August 1. Readers who complete 10 books will be awarded a certificate and an award.

For a complete list of events, visit www.afplweb.com and select the Fairburn library page. For questions, call the library at 770-306-3138.

Peachtree City Library

Peachtree City Library’s summer reading program got underway on Tuesday, May 29 with the opening up of the program for registration. This year’s program will run through July 31 and a multitude of events will take place over the next two months as part of the program.

Weekly events include the Monday Movie, shown at 10 a.m. at the library each Monday.

While all programs are free, the Terrific Tuesdays events require one ticket per person. Tickets are available beginning at 9 a.m. on the Friday prior to the Tuesday performance at the Children’s Desk, and there are a limited number of tickets available for each performance. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. In order to accommodate as many children as possible, the library is limiting adult tickets to one per family and no strollers or baby carriers will be allowed in the programs. Tickets are now available for the first Terrific Tuesdays program, Fiddlin’ Dan, the Mountain Man, which is scheduled for June 5 at 10 and 11 a.m.

Each Wednesday at 2 and 3:30 p.m., children ages 4 to 10 are invited to participate in the Stories & Crafts from Around the World programs. Registration for these programs is required and each program is limited to 30 participants. Babytime will be held on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. (24-35 months), 10:30 a.m. (12-23 months-walking) and 11:30 a.m. (birth until walking). These programs are strictly limited to the stated age groups.

Note that the library will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 and no programs will be held that day.

To see a complete schedule of events visit the library’s page on the city website, www.peachtree-city.org. For questions, contact Janice Dukes at 770-631-2520.

So, while camps and trips and summer plans abound, for the best bargain around, check out your local library’s summer programs.

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