Summer Reading Program continues with events in July

The Aiken County Public Library has a variety of activities coming up in July for the conclusion of the Summer Reading Program.

The program takes a week off in honor of Independence Day but resumes on Tuesday, July 7, with Family Craft Night.

Strawberry Shortcake of cartoon and children's book fame makes a guest appearance at the library at 2 and 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 8.

Teens in the Summer Reading Program are invited to turn literature into art at an Altered Books workshop at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 9.

There will be a Bollywood Dancing Demonstration at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, with information about Indian dance forms.

On Wednesday, July 15, Porkchop Productions brings its own twisted take on "Little Red Riding Hood" to the library at 2 and 3 p.m.

"Just Bead It" will be the teens' activity for the week at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 16.

The final week of the Summer Reading Program activity schedule will feature singer-songwriter Cathy Benedetto at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21; a puppet show of "Three Little Pigs" at 2 and 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 22; and Death By Chocolate for teens at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 23.

There will be no finale party for Summer Reading this year, according to children's librarian Jennie Beck.

The deadline to complete the Summer Reading Program requirements is July 31. Ages 5 and younger must read 20 books to complete the program, and ages 6 and older must read 10 books.

Completers will receive a certificate, a medal and a new book from a selection purchased with a grant to the library from the Target Corporation.

The Summer Reading Program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Aiken Library, and volunteers from the Aiken Woman's Club will be on hand at each Summer Reading event to sign up new participants and check in reading logs from completers.

For more information about the Summer Reading Program and the event schedule, call the library at 642-2020.

Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.