The St. Bernard Parish Library has just the program to hit the nail on the head for a summer of fun. Reading is the foundation for all sorts of literary events during the 2017 Build a Better World summer reading program set to start June 5. Readers of all ages are invited to strap on their tool belts of books and visit the library for six-weeks of crafts, laughs, special guests and artistic performances. Registration begins at the library’s Chalmette Branch on Wednesday, May 31 and the first week of activities starts on Monday, June 5th. The first 100 families to register will receive a Super Summer Reader yard sign.
Participants will receive their blueprints for six weeks of construction fun when they register for their official summer reading bookmarks, activity sheets, and events calendars. Chalmette Movies passes to see the 30th anniversary showing of the Chipmunk Adventure will be given out to those registering between May 31st and June 14th. Readers will also receive a Cane’s bookmark that allows them to read to earn a free kids Cane’s meal.
Weekly story programs will be held on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and again on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. Specialguests make appearances at the library on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m., and a variety of artists will share their talents during the library’s Fridays with the Arts performances taking place on Fridays, of course, at 3 p.m. Starting summer reading off with a bang will be Ronald McDonald on Thursday, June 8th at 11:30 a.m. and Harvey Rabbit on Friday, June 9th at 3 p.m. All programming will take place at the library’s Chalmette location. Funding for the popular Fridays with the Arts series comes from a grant by the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs and donations by Arlette and Wayne Nunez with Shell Oil’s Matching Funds Program as well as the Lemonade Day Kids of St. Bernard.
In addition to attending lots of fun programs, St. Bernard Parish Library readers will have the opportunity to win prizes by completing their game sheets. Younger readers will receive a certificate of completion along with McDonald’s coupons. Older readers will receive McDonald’s coupons and a magnetic bookmark, while supplies last. Pre-readers through 12th graders who finish by Thursday, July 13th will be eligible to enter their names into the library’s Grand Finale Prize Drawing scheduled for Friday, July 14th at 3 p.m. or the Teen and Tween Prize Drawing set for Saturday, July 15th. Adult readers can turn in completed activity sheets through Saturday July 29th. They will also receive a McDonald’s coupon with a magnetic bookmark, while supplies last. Their names will be entered into a prize drawing set for Tuesday, August 1st. Prize sponsors to date include: Audubon Institute, Chalmette Movies, Crave Bar and Grill, J & M Jewelers, Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours, Kiwanis of St. Bernard-Arabi, Louisiana Children’s Museum, McDonalds of St. Bernard, National World War II Museum, New Orleans Paddlewheels, P.J.’s Coffee of St. Bernard, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Wow’s Cafe’ & Wingery.
For more information, please stop by the library at 2600 Palmisano Blvd. in Chalmette or call 504-279-0448. Patrons can “like” the library on Facebook to get updates on library activities and they can also check out the library’s website at www.mysbpl.org.