Jerica Bixler, left, Janette Stackhouse, Maureen Haab (on ladder), Maria Pamer and Julie Frew are hard at work on the summer reading program decorations in the teen area. Photo provided by the library.

News Release

MILFORD — This year’s summer reading program theme at Milford Public Library is “All Together Now.” Registration begins Tuesday, May 30 and summer reading begins Monday, June 5.

Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. They are hosting a pet parade. Get your face painted to match your pet at 1:30 p.m. Each pet will be registered at a table in the library’s parking lot. They will ask simple questions about your pet to read while you are walking around in a circle in front of the judge’s table.

Don’t have a pet? Bring your favorite stuffed animal. All pets must be on a leash or in a crate/cage at all times. Owners are responsible for actions of their pets. Pets must have current vaccinations and be in good health. No aggressive animals, please. Courtesy is appreciated. Be prepared to clean up after your pet.

Prizes will be awarded. Children ages preschool through graduating high school seniors are invited to participate. If it’s rainy or stormy, call (574) 658-4312 for an alternate location for the pet parade.

The pet parade is just the beginning of a summer full of fun. Everyone can participate. Keep track of how many minutes you read and earn incentives like food coupons, books and gift cards. They have lots of guest storytellers for family story time at 10:30 a.m. Fridays. Maureen Haab kicks things off with stories about community on Friday, June 9.

Stevens Puppets will perform Friday, June 16, with a marionette show of “The Wizard of Oz.” The Potawatomi Zoo will bring animals Friday, June 23, and local author Dani R-G will make an appearance Friday, June 30. Jerica Bixler will share stories with you Friday, July 7.

The SpoonMan will teach you to play spoons Friday, July 14, and Janette Stackhouse will read stories about self-esteem Friday, July 21. If you stay for the whole family story time, your family will earn a new book to take home and add to your home library.

They also have fun programs planned for all ages. Scott Schaffer will do a program on budgies (parakeets) at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8. This is a program for anyone interested in learning about raising budgies and having them for pets. The puppet friends show will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 14. Professor Steve will share his marvelous machines show at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 21. There will be an assembly line activity for all ages at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 28.

The library will host an escape room for teens at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 12. The escape room will be in the teen area of the library.

Summer reading program ends July 22. Everyone who has read at least five hours will earn a ticket to the pizza party at noon Friday, July 21. At 1 p.m., Mark’s Ark will bring animal friends to keep everyone entertained.

Free lunches will be available again this summer. The library will have lunches outside for children preschool to age 18 from noon to 12:30 p.m. every day.

The lunches are provided by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Wawasee Community School Corporation. There will be two brand new Polywood picnic tables outside the south doors of the library where children can sit and enjoy their lunch. The tables were donated by Polywood. The week of July 3-7 there will be no lunch. Lunches begin June 5 and end July 26.

Craft week will be July 3-8 this year. The library will be closed Tuesday, July 4. All summer reading program participants can pick up a packet of five crafts to take home and work on that week. There will be an online element to the program.

Everyone is invited to come to the library and watch “Kindly Ever After: Friendship Adventure” in the meeting room at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13. Join Page Turner enjoying a story, a craft and a snack together. Have fun and stay for lunch. Other programs: “Kindly Ever After: Cooperation Adventure,” 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 20; “Kindly Ever After: Kindness Adventure;” 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 27; and “Kindly Ever After: Empathy Adventure,” 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 11.

The staff is looking forward to a very busy summer and hope you plan to visit often.

Children’s Book Week Winners

Every day during the week of May 1 names were drawn to win a prize for children’s book week. Adley Byler and Gwen Bender have each won a picture book and a stuffed animal. Four more drawings will take place, so be sure to enter the drawing when you visit the children’s department.

May LEGO Challenge

The monthly LEGO Challenge for May is to build a frog. The winner will take home a new LEGO kit. Be sure to enter the challenge by Saturday, May 27. Children ages preschool through eighth grade are invited to submit a photo of their creation to [email protected]. The library staff will choose a winner from the submissions. The program has a challenge each month during the school year.