Summer reading is just one piece of an expansive collection of summer programming for the Aubrey Area Library.
In celebration of 40 years of summers, the library is encouraging the community to “Read like it’s 1985” with several events sporting a vintage theme.
“In the grand scheme of history, that doesn’t seem like a lot, but the city of Aubrey is such a great community so to be able to honor that history with this year in such a fun, vintage theme has been really great and I hope people come to the vintage events,” Public Services Manager Kassandra Gaither said.
With weekly events Thursday-Saturday, the library is looking to interject community activities into the summer reading and, for little readers, ages 5 and under, those activities can bring young readers closer to their next completed log in addition to being an engaging afternoon.
“Their log is designed not only to pro- mote literacy, but also arts and crafts skills and family togetherness,” Gaither said. “Our big readers log is more traditional. They get to choose their daily goal, whether that’s five minutes of reading, an hour of reading, or whatever they want to complete in a day.”
Though readers 6-senior can set their own goals, everyone is on an even playing field for the prizes.
“We want it to be challenging, but achievable, and didn’t want to exclude any reader,” Gaither said. “Everyone has the exact same opportunity to get raffle tickets and prizes, at the end of five days when someone brings their log in, we stamp, sign and date it, so they can’t come in for another prize spin or raffle ticket until another five days have passed.”
“We have 12 raffle jars, divided into little readers, kids, teens and adults, so they’re all trying to win different prizes,” Gaither said.
Prizes include an introduction to painting basket for the littles with mess free paint, paint by numbers kits, Barnes and Noble gift cards, a Painting with a Twist gift card, a bike, a kindle or a four-pack admission to Meow Wolf.
“It’s an art installation down in Grapevine that features Texas artists,” Gaither said. “It’s really cool, and very immersive and they can spend hours in it. They’re trying to solve a mystery, so it’s just a very cool experience.”
Using last year’s numbers as a benchmark, readers will be competing with nearly 700 other area residents.
“Last year we had 686 signups, and our goal this year is 750,” Gaither said. “Right now on day five we’re at 400. We allow people to sign up as late as five days before the end of summer.”
Though summer ready participants will get a summer fun calendar to help them keep up with all the extra programming, Gaither explained anyone can keep up with what's going on at the library via Facebook.
“There is always something going on,” Gaither said. “Thursdays we do Thursday Throwback movies, ... and then Friday are our Fun Fridays ... and Saturdays are our Saturday Shenanigans.”
She called out a couple of standouts.
“In July, for our teen and tween club, on July 9, we’re doing live action Pac-Man,” Gaither said. “In spring we did live action Mario Cart, and it went really well, so we’re going to be doing Pac-Man with people.”
Several, like the upcoming murder mystery party and end of summer party on Aug. 1, will adhere to the ‘80s theme.
“Every quarter we have a murder mystery party,” Gaither said. “This year it’s going to be ‘80s slasher themed. We’re all camp counselors and we’re all going to die. It's going to be fabulous. Normally you’re trying to figure out who the killer is, but there is a staple in the slasher genre of the final girl, so in this murder mystery, it will end with two girls trying to convince us they’re not the murderer.”
She explained the library is no longer just a place residents can come to read or access the internet.
“In the last couple of decades, the library has had to transition from just a place to read and get on the computer to a community center,” Gaither said. “There are less than three places where you can go with a group of people and partake in inexpensive or free activities that promote personal growth and for us, we have such a large family community. They serve us well, so we want to serve them well.”
Aubrey area residents pick up a new skill during a pottery class hosted by the library on Saturday.
Basil Gist/The Post-Signal
