Ah, summer at the library. The days of reading challenges, cold air conditioning, and… calf roping?

Yes, calf roping – and much more. Wood County’s libraries have gone above and beyond to provide anyone interested with amazing, innovative, and totally free summer programs this season. Here’s a short overview of each: contact the libraries for more information.

Quitman

If you live in Quitman, you’ll probably have already heard about the Quitman Public Library’s interactive “Reading Round-Up” program. This unique summer program, which is themed around the Wild West, features such fun events as teaching kids calf roping and line dancing, having a “round-up party,” or hosting a celebrity (namely Devon Dawson, who “is known for being the singing voice of … Jessie, the Yodeling Cowgirl, on the Grammy-winning children’s album ‘Woody’s Roundup featuring Riders in the Sky”). The library’s summer programs are always packed, so be sure to claim a seat  Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. The program will end at the end of June. However, the library hosts other weekly or monthly activities.

Mineola

More than 50 people – roughly 30 kids and 20 parents – turned out to enjoy the Mineola Memorial Library’s fantastic “Camp We Read” program last week. The library hosts a different type of activity for the program every week. A few events on the calendar include a traveling 3-D printer presentation, a visit from the local fire department, a wrap up party and more. The library’s programs will be held every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. through July 10; kids from kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome to participate. The library also hosts additional weekly programs such as Toddler Story Time, Homeschool Heroes and more.

Hawkins

The Allen Memorial Library is holding its “Adventure Across Texas” summer reading program soon! While most other Wood County libraries have their summer programs scheduled to wrap up in June, the Hawkins library will begin its program on Wednesday, July 3. It is for children 4-11 and will be held every Wednesday in July. Events slotted include a game day, an interactive puppet show and “traveling” to places across the state. The library also has interesting summer programs such as a Pokémon Club and a “Moms meet Moms” program.

Winnsboro

The Gilbreath Memorial Library has a summer reading program that is wildly popular among the kids of Winnsboro. With tons of activities such as rock painting, a mosaic art class, bilingual story time, tiny canvas painting, or a museum tour, the “Summer Reading Express” calendar is so full that it takes a larger-than-normal paper to display. Library director Manuel Pasillas says that some of their most popular programs are filling up quickly, so be sure to contact them to sign up soon.