More info
Lane Libraries (Fairfield, Hamilton, Oxford): (513) 858-3238; www.lanepl.org
Lebanon Public Library: (513) 932-2665; www.lebanonlibrary.org
Mason Public Library: (513) 398-2711; www.masonpl.lib.oh.us
Salem Twp. Public Library: (513) 899-2588; www.salem-township.lib.oh.us
West Chester, Middletown Public libraries: (513) 777-3131; www.middletownlibrary.org
There’s no chance for the summertime blues thanks to Butler and Warren County libraries.
Mason Public Library, in conjunction with the Whole Foods Market off Mason-Montgomery Road, is offering free, summer-themed cooking classes, 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the store. Berry creations will be presented May 14.
Organizers said about 25 participants may attend each class. To register, call the store at (513) 398-9358.
A book club for adults at the Mason Public Library runs June 6-July 25. Participants are entered to win sponsor-donated prizes for each book read. Drawings are Mondays, starting June 13, with up to five winners each.
Donated gifts include a basket from Main Street Sweets and a gift certificate from Bon Ton Full Service Salon.
A knitting club will meet once a month, starting in May, at the West Chester Public Library.
The library’s adult writing club will continue through the summer at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Participants discuss and critic each other’s writing, with occasional speakers.
“The club is for those getting started and for those who have been writing for a while,” said West Chester adult service librarian, Phyllis Goodman.
Musicians perform live at the Lane Library in Fairfield on Sundays from June 12-Aug. 14, with a “light sound,” according to branch manager Stephanie Spurlock.
Appointment with a reference personnel at the Lane Library in Fairfield are available for individual computer training lessons through the summer. Thirty-minute sessions include email and a Microsoft Office review.
FOR YOUTH
Mason Public Library
Participants of summer reading programs at Butler and Warren County libraries are traveling across the globe — by book.
“We want to maintain and improve reading skills over the summer break,” said Mason Public Library youth service librarian, Alice Beresford, who said the library’s summer reading program has the multicultural theme of “One World, Many Stories.”
Mason Public Library’s non-adult summer reading programs run June 1 through July 29. Children ages 2-12 may win sponsor-donated prizes like board games and bicycles. Young adults in grades seven through 12 are entered to win the same sponsor-donated gifts for each book read.
Disney movies will be shown at 8 p.m. Thursdays, June 16 through July 28.
Books will be read aloud during story times June 13 through July 29, for various ages, with regional topics like Europe or the Middle East.
May 14 marks the last reading session with therapy dogs at the Mason Public Library until fall. Children struggling to read may read aloud to up to two therapy dogs, with a trainer, in about eight stations for up to three minutes each, for an hour.
Beresford said dogs provide a non-judgemental audience as children hear their mistakes.
“No one is reading over your shoulder and the dog doesn’t mind if you make mistakes,” Beresford said.
West Chester Public Library
Journey to the West Chester Public Library for another international summer theme. Summer reading programs run from June 4 through Aug. 6. Preschoolers are awarded by reading log completion; children in kindergarten through grade six are awarded by hours read; and students in grades seven through 12 will be entered into a drawing for each book completed.
Donated prizes include paperback books and laser tag gift certificates.
Books read aloud at story time are followed by crafts at 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, June 20 through July 26. Patrons may sign up to see live performers in June and July, like Ronald McDonald and marionettes. On Thursdays, June 23 through Aug. 4, Disney movies will be shown.
Fairfield Lane Public Library
The continental theme continues at the Lane Public Library in Fairfield. Children and teen summer reading programs run June 1 through Aug. 15. For every 20 books, or 10 hours, read aloud, ages five and younger receive a prize; ages 6-12 who read 20 books, or 10 hours, will be entered into a drawing for a donated bicycle.
Ages 13 and older are entered into a drawing for every three hours read, or library program attended, to win sponsor-donated prizes.
Story times for babies, toddlers and ages 4-6 run from June 7 through Aug. 9.
June and July bring live performances by jugglers and magicians at the Village Green Park, near the Lane Public Library in Fairfield. On Aug. 10, a cultural fair, with entertainment and games, will end the summer at the park.
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