Can water float in the air?
Youngsters 8 and older will find out on Saturday when the “Nutty Professor” Jean Winters performs mystifying feats of science in the Flewharty-Powell Annex, 211 East St., north of the Iola Public Library. The program begins at 10:30 a.m.
“I know children start out believing it is a magic trick, but I will take them step by step through the mystery of science,” Pittsburg librarian Winters said in a telephone conversation.
At the conclusion of the program children should be performance-ready.
“I involve my audiences in my presentations, so be prepared to volunteer your services,” Winters said.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS and a variety of activities are being offered at the library to fill the summer days of children and adults.
Reading is a family affair, and the summer reading programs are a fun way to include reading and related activities into summer family time, said Leah Oswald, children’s librarian.
“Make A Splash — Read,” is the theme of the library’s summer story times.
Children 6 and under meet for story time at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, and kindergarteners through second-graders meet Tuesdays at 11 o’clock through July 28.
Story time manuals, bookmarks and certificates of participation are provided through the state Collaborative Summer Library Program. Supplies not covered by the program are paid for by the library.
“We have had good participation in the story hours, with 24 children and parents attending Wednesday’s program,” Oswald said.
All stories have a water theme. On Tuesday children heard the story “Willie Bear and The Wish Fish.” Following the story children used colored paper to make a “Wish Fish” story time souvenir.
Parents and caregivers are welcome to stay for story times and participate in the making of the crafts.
Story times meet in the Flewharty-Powell Annex. Children may attend one session or each week throughout the summer.
What’s Up Wednesdays is a continuation of a program that runs throughout the school year.
“We use the program to encourage third- through fifth-graders to keep reading throughout the summer months by visiting the library the first and second Wednesdays through July,” Oswald said.
Each child is given a reading list. When the book is completed he will fill out a form with a short synopsis of the story. His name is then entered in a weekly drawing for prizes which include books and T-shirts.
THERE IS still time for elementary and middle school children to join “Make A Splash This Summer and READ.”
“Kids should keep their eyes on the prize, which is a swimming party at the Iola Municipal Pool,” Oswald said.
Children are required to keep a record of the books and numbers of pages read. To attend the pool party elementary students must read 200 pages and middle school students 400 pages before the party date. The students take their logs to the library and are given an invitation ticket to the pool parties, which are scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 17 and Aug. 13.
OCEAN JELL-O with gummy bears and Hawaiian chicken were on the menu at the first Cooking Camp at the Flewharty-Powell Annex.
Middle school youths may register for the camps at the library. The class teaches food safety, preparation techniques and the cooking of the meal. The is no cost to attend. Camp leader is Kathy McEwan, Allen County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
Campers will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday and again on July 12 and 26.
THROUGH JULY 30 adults are invited to search for specific authors, books and phrases in books at the library using clues received at the circulation desk.
Free movie nights at the library and prizes will be awarded for correct answers to the puzzle clues.
“Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs,” was shown at the first movie night several weeks ago, said Lisa Cole, adult program director.
