Lemont Library Kicks off Summer with Reading Programs for Kids, Adults

The enchanting summer reading program, “A Midsummer Knight’s Read,” is not just for kids. Adults and teens are also invited to sign up for events and prizes, including White Sox tickets and an Amazon Kindle.

The theme is medieval, but any book counts, said children’s librarian Mary Inman. The Illinois Library Association “picks each year’s theme and local libraries adapt it as they like,” she said.

The library, 50 E. Wend St., is decorated with columns of stonework and the façade of a castle. Events, such as “Ye Olde Tournament of Bean” (for teens) and “How to Train Your Dragon” (for ages 6-11), are planned through Aug.  5.

Registration can be done through June at the library’s website,  www.lemontlibrary.org (click on Summer Reading).

Last year’s summer reading program had about 500 participants, Inman said.

Librarian Debbie Samchay is leading the adult reading portion of "A Midsummer Knight’s Read" and librarian Cathy Mayer is in charge of the teen program.

While reading is already a gift,  the library and its sponsors are offering weekly
prizes and drawings, librarians said.

“Our sponsors are so good to us," Inman said. "We could not have this kind of summer reading program without them."

On a recent Wednesday, two volunteer Teen Troubadors, brothers Gabe
and Luke Munoz, sat inside “Castle Read-A-Lot” waiting to register participants
and hand out coupons for ice cream. The Troubadors will also help out at  storytimes.

Adults can work their way to becoming Knighted Readers, who eligible for grand prizes, by submitting four reading logs and completing five medieval-themed word puzzles. Prizes are  given for the reading logs and correctly completed puzzles.

Teens who read six or more books over the summer and attend events are eligible for weekly drawings and grand prizes. The teen program will conclude with a Battle of the Bands on Aug. 5.

The other nine events for teens include:

June 25, 7 to 9 p.m., “The Royal Masquerade Ball”

Teens are invited to dress up in medieval costume or come as themselves. A prize will be given for best-dressed.

July 15, 6 to 9 p.m., “Scrapbook Your Summer”

Artists will show three crafts to spiff up a scrapbook. Bring a favorite CD, and
enjoy pizza rolls and a “druid’s drink. Includes a $10 materials fee.

July 27, 2 p.m., “Elizabethan Scavenger Quest”

Teams will walk the streets of London (Lemont) following clues to a treasure chest.

Thirteen special events for children include:

June 25, 1 p.m. (ages 5-11), “Gallant Sir Randall”

Learn how knights lived.

July 9, 10: 30 a.m. (ages 6-11), “Hands-On Shakespeare”

The KIDWORKS Theatre Company performs.

July 23, 1 p.m. (ages 9-12; $5 fee), “Make a Cool Castle”

Lon Clark will help participants create their own castles.

Check out the Lemont Public Library’s summer newsletter for a list of all events.