Summer time! It’s awesome! And my brain is on overload!

We are having a wonderful summer full of activities inviting children into the library. Each Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. we have at least two dozen or so children visit the library from kindergarten to 12th grade. They participate in two activities and get a reading challenge. We have made mosquito repellent bracelets, had relay races, made nature journals, attempted ocean experiments, and had a guest author, Wendy Hinote Lanier to read “Too Many Pigs in the Pool.” Wednesday, June 28 we will welcome the Talewise Group for a science-themed show.

The purpose of the Summer Program is to encourage reading for fun over the summer and to learn the library is a friendly, welcoming place. This program will continue until July 12 when we will have a wrap up party to celebrate summer.

Beside the summer program, Toddler Time continues on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. for those 18 months to 3 years (about) and their parent/caregiver. They get a story, an activity and playtime together.

Preschool Story time continues for 3 (about ) to 5 year olds with their parent/caregiver. It is more structured to get ready for school settings. They get 2-3 stories and a related activity, game or song or sometimes a combination. This will continue until July 12.

We’ve had an awesome time visiting the primary and elementary summer schools of Mineola ISD. For three weeks, children have gotten to play games, do experiments and sing songs as well as getting to check out books twice. We love visiting the schools and are glad their principals let us have this time with the students.

Our East Texas Library Friends book club will meet July 1 at 2 p.m. in Rains County to discuss “One Must Tell the Bees” by J Lawrence Matthews.

June 25 to July 1 you may find the alley behind the library blocked. The Methodist church is getting a new roof on both of their buildings and they may block the alley to get supplies to the roof and to keep us from running over debris. Just a heads up.

At this time, we are not taking any book/movie donations because we have run out of room. Residents of Mineola are very generous and we appreciate them but we just don’t have any room at this time.

We thank the Pilot Club of Mineola for their donation toward keeping the bookmobile rolling. We are grateful for their donation.

Mineola Memorial Library is a 501(c)3, non-profit and your donation may be tax deductible.