This summer, the theme of the summer reading program is “Read. Renew. Repeat.”  The library will be celebrating things like conservation, recycling, ecosystems, plants, and animals.

Kids and teens up to age 18 can sign up for the self-paced reading program starting Monday, June 3. No need to worry if you can’t get to the library that day; sign-up continues all summer. The Cosmos program ends August 31.

When kids sign up, they’ll get a book bag, a bookmark, and a reading log.

The summer reading program is always self-paced. Children work their way through the reading game sheets, earning spaces by reading or being read to for 20 minutes (counting up to an hour a day), and by doing other activities like being active for at least 20 minutes, reading aloud to a person or a pet, or attending a library program. For teens, there’s a more straightforward sheet for tracking hours of reading. Whenever kids bring in a completed sheet, they can choose from a wide variety of small prizes. At the end of each month, the library will hold a drawing from the sheets turned in that month, giving kids the chance to win a bonus prize.

The goal of the summer reading program is to encourage kids to read all summer long so that they keep up their reading skills and return to school in the fall ready to learn. Because of that, kids can do one reading sheet after another all summer until late August and keep earning prizes.

We are very excited about some special programs this summer!

On Friday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m., CLIMB Theatre will present “County Mouse & City Mouse: Adventure in the Suburbs.” In this short play for children, a pair of mouse cousins visit the suburbs. Country Mouse wants to explore the new area, while City Mouse wants to read, renew, and repeat for a relaxing vacation. Will conflict tear apart their relationship, or will they learn to “compro-mice” and celebrate their differences? In this play, kids will learn to use their empathy skills and to advocate for their own needs. Free to attend, and no need to sign up.

On Thursday, June 20, at 3:00 p.m., the library is offering an art workshop for kids: Up Cycle Art Class with Aina Jane. Children are invited to bring in a few small items from home like ribbon, a button, an old card, etc. They will be able to incorporate these items into their own upcycled art. More items will be available from the teacher at the class. For ages 8 and up. Advance registration is required since space is limited; sign up at the library or by calling 320-440-1012. Free to attend; funded in part or in whole by Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

On Tuesday, June 25, at 4:00 p.m., a local Master Gardener is holding a program for children called “Garden, Learn, & Play.” She will teach them about plants through fun activities. Free to attend, and no need to sign up. The program will run about 45 minutes.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for these events in July:

Friday, July 5, 2:00 p.m.: DNR program about birds

Friday, July 12, 2:00 p.m.: Science Museum of Minnesota program about dinosaurs

Friday, July 19, 5:00-8:00 p.m.: Mini golf in the community room for Space Festival

On the 3^rd Monday of each month this summer, kids ages 5-18 are invited to build with LEGOs in the library at Cosmos Creation Club: June 17, July 15, and August 19, from 2-3 p.m. No need to sign up or bring anything, other than an adult or teen caregiver for those under age 8.

Looking for the new Litchfield and Hutchinson newspapers? You can read them at the Cosmos Library.

The Cosmos Library’s hours are Mondays 10-5, Tuesdays 2-5, Thursdays 2-6, Fridays 2-5, and Saturdays 10-1.