BY KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell County Public Library system will kick off its summer reading program on June 12 with a special live concert at all three library locations.
Big Bang Boom, a three-piece power pop rock band, will play child friendly, educational music at all three shows.
Show Times
♦ Harmony, 393 Harmony Highway, June 12, at 9 a.m.
♦ Statesville, 201 N. Tradd Street, June 12, at 11 a.m.
♦ Troutman, 215 W. Church Street, June 12, at 1 p.m.
Parents and guardians can register their kids for the summer reading program starting on June 1. Simply stop by any library location and pick up a reading log or track your child’s reading using the Beanstack app at https://landing.beanstack.com/mobile-app.
“This year our theme is ‘All Together Now,’ which celebrates kindness, friendship, and unity within our community,” said Program Development and Community Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Levins. “We will be holding a large number of programs for county residents that fit with this theme, all free of charge.”
Programs will include free performances and events, Take & Make activity bags for all ages, age-appropriate activity booklets and reading logs to record your child’s progress during June and July.
Summer Reading is a two-month series of programming and reading that the library system hosts each year in an effort to keep the community engaged and learning throughout summer months.
Kids who participate in Summer Reading can earn raffle tickets by attending library programs and submitting their completed reading log between August 1-19. The grand prize drawing will take place on August 21, and winners will be notified by the contact information on their raffle ticket.
The programs featured below are just some of the highlighted events for the next month. Registration may be required for some programs. A full schedule of events across all Iredell County Public Library branches can be found online at https://iredell.lib.nc.us/.
Adult Programs
Governor Arthur Dobbs, The Critical Years: 1753-1765
♦ Where: Statesville Library
♦ When: June 13 at 6 p.m.
Details: Guest speaker Dr. Roger Roark will discuss the historical significance of Gov. Dobbs, his role in North Carolina history, and his ties to Fort Dobbs. Registration required.
Word Play
♦ Where: Statesville Library
♦ When: June 14 at 2 p.m.
♦ Details: Did you know that regularly playing word games helps improve memory, sharpen vocabulary skills, improve concentration, and relieve stress? Join us for group Boggle at the library, and get your game on! Registration required.
Community Cat Trap & Release Info Session
♦ Where: Statesville Library
♦ When: June 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
♦ Details: Learn how you can get involved in trap & release for feral and community cats, with a guest representative from Iredell County Animal Services.
People Who Made Iredell Communities
♦ Where: Statesville Library
♦ When: June 15 at 6 p.m.
♦ Details: This program will feature special guest speaker Justin Anderson, writer of the blog, Abandoned NC. Justin will take you inside of the heart of some of Iredell’s past communities by introducing the people who created them. Learn about your role in preserving the heritage of your own community by telling its story. Registration required.
Live Bluegrass Music
♦ Troutman Library: June 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.
♦ Statesville Library: June 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
♦ Details: Enjoy a lively bluegrass concert featuring the Monday Night Troutman Library Pickers.
NC Reads Book Club: Step It Up and Go
♦ Troutman Library: June 20, at 2 p.m.
♦ Statesville Library: June 28, at 2 p.m.
♦ Details: Join us for June’s North Carolina book selection, “Step It Up and Go” by David Menconi. Register and collect your books in person at your branch beginning May 15.
Plantings for Monarch Butterflies
♦ Where: Harmony Library
♦ When: June 24 at 2 p.m.
♦ Details: Local gardener and nursery owner Kevin Campbell will discuss how to plant your garden to attract monarch butterflies. Registration Required.
Kids Programs
Learn About Beekeeping
♦ Troutman Library: June 26 at 10 a.m.
♦ Statesville Library: June 30 at 10 a.m.
♦ Details: Bees are an important part of our ecosystem, and even have their own communities! Learn about beekeeping at the library with the Iredell County Beekeepers Association.
Seed Starting
♦ Statesville Library: June 16 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
♦ Harmony Library: June 21 at 11 a.m.
♦ Troutman Library: June 28 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
♦ Details: Local gardener Devery of Aurora Flora will demonstrate how to grow plants. Registration required.