Hartselle librarian Casey Applebaum reads “Snow Bear” to young readers during the summer reading program kickoff July 3. | Joy Harris

Joy Harris

Hartselle Enquirer

Every Wednesday in July the William Bradford Huie Library in Hartselle encourages kids to “Dig Into Reading” with their summer reading program.

This nation-wide effort to emphasize summer reading is sure to please local elementary and pre-school age children.

Sessions start at 11 a.m. in the library, beginning with the kickoff, which was July 3. Each week has a special theme. July 10 is Animals that Dig with Chris Keenum telling all about burrowing critters. Upcoming weeks feature the Dog Days of Summer July 17, Magically Our Favorite Magician Archie Wade July 24 and an End of Summer Party July 31.

The Dog Days of Summer will teach kids dog safety. The library has arranged for a service dog, a puppy and possibly a police K-9 to visit during the session to allow children to practice interacting with different types of dogs.

July 24’s session with magician Archie Wade is dedicated to long-time Hartselle library patron Jackie Sparks.

“Jackie Sparks has been a part faithful patron of Hartselle library ever since I’ve been here,” said Hartselle librarian Emily Love. “Her son is Captain Sparks of the Hartselle Police. She brought her grandson Harrison to our reading program each summer. She is greatly missed, so we decided to honor her passing during this program by setting aside a week in her memory of her.”

Last year, Hartselle’s summer reading program attracted about 450 kids over the five sessions. The Hartselle library hopes to have even more kids this year since they have invited more groups to participate.

The program will include a book challenge with prizes for those who read the most books during the month. Participants can log their reading online for additional prizes or on paper book logs provided by the library. Awards will be given at the End of Summer Party July 31.

For more information on “Dig Into Reading,” call the Hartselle library at 25-773-9880.

Lennon Ashby feeds dad, Elliott Ashby, a bite of her snowcone outside the Hartselle library during the “Dig Into Reading” summer reading program kickoff July 3. | Joy Harris

Kids and parents wait in line for snowcones outside the Hartselle library during the “Dig Into Reading” summer reading program kickoff July 3. | Joy Harris

Lennon Ashby takes her snowcone into the shade at the Hartselle library’ s summer reading program kickoff July 3. | Joy Harris

Kids and parents await snow cones outside of the William Bradford Huie Library during the “Dig Into Reading” summer reading program kickoff July 3. | Joy Harris