News Release

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

Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. The library is hosting a pet parade at 1 p.m. Get your face painted to match your pet. Each pet will be registered at a table in the library’s parking lot. They will ask 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. 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 the library at (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, ages preschool through graduating high school seniors, can participate. Keep track of how many minutes you read and earn some pretty great incentives like food coupons, books and gift cards.

They have lots of great guest storytellers for family story time at 10:30 a.m. Fridays. Maureen Haab kicks things off with stories about community Friday, June 9. Stevens Puppets will be June 16 with a marionette show of “The Wizard of Oz.”

The Potawatami Zoo will bring animals June 23; local author Dani R-G, June 30; Jerica Bixler will share stories July 7; the Spoon Man will teach you to play spoons July 14; and Janette Stackhouse will read stories about self-esteem 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.

The library also has 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 from 2-4 p.m. June 28. Meet at the Milford Food Bank, 111 S. James St., Milford. If you stay and help assemble packages for food pantries for an hour, you will get 20 minutes credit on your reading sheets.

The library will host an escape room for teens at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, 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 July 21. At 1 p.m., Mark’s Ark will bring animal friends to keep everyone entertained.

Free Lunches
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.

These lunches are provided by the United States 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

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 that week. There will be an online element to the program.

Everyone is invited to watch “Kindly Ever After: Friendship Adventure” at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, in the meeting room. Join Page Turner enjoying a story, a craft and a snack together. Have fun and stay for lunch.

“Kindly Ever After: Cooperation Adventure” will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 20; “Kindly Ever After: Kindness Adventure” at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 27; and “Kindly Ever After-Empathy Adventure” at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 11.

Shown in front from left are Elliette Pulley and Maria Pamer. Second row: Kristina Rodes. Third row: Jerica Bixler and Janette Stackhous. Back row: Julie Frew and Maureen Haab. Photo provided by the library.