The Kalona Public Library kicked off its summer reading program June 13 with a reptile open house brought to the library by Mr. Josh of Tribal Exoticz.  The family-friendly evening event marks the start of two months of special programs for kids, teens, and adults.

As of June 7, 225 kids, 10 teens, and 47 adults are signed up to participate in the program.  

Kids are challenged to read for 1,000 minutes by Friday, August 4.  Should they achieve that goal, they receive a specially designed t-shirt donated by Hills Bank, a free book of their choosing, and a pool pass to the Kalona City Pool.  In addition, a completed reading log enters them into a drawing for a grand prize, which is one of two summer-themed gift baskets created and donated by Girl Scout Troop #3979.  

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. Staring June 15, the library will host special events as part of the summer reading program.  The complete calendar can be picked up at the library; June events include farm animals up close with Lucky Star Farm, books and activities in Braille, and Q&A with a veterinarian, Dr. Ninja.

“We have a vet coming from Columbus Junction,” Youth Director Olivia Kahler said.  “He wrote a book, his real name is Mike Todd.  The book is by Dr. Ninja.  He goes around and talks a little bit about his book, he reads a little bit of it, and then he talks about all the different tools and things that he’d have to use as a veterinarian.  That’s kind of fun, especially for kids, because there are tons of kids that say, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to do that.’”

In July, participants can look forward to Cardboard Crazy Day, Duke Otherwise, and cupcake decorating, just to name a few.

“Best of Iowa makes us a couple dozen cupcakes for the day and they provide all the frosting, and we let kids decorate their own cupcake,” Kahler says of the cupcake open house.  “I’m really excited for this, because it goes along with our theme, ‘Find Your Voice,’ which is like what makes you unique.  And I feel like art in any form is the best representation of ‘find your voice.’”

Tuesdays and Thursdays aren’t the only days the library has programs in June and July, Kahler notes.  On Mondays, a movie is shown at 1 p.m. in the library, and free drinks and popcorn are provided.  On Wednesdays at 10 a.m., guest readers will host Story Time; representatives from Hills Bank and Kalona Chocolates, for example, will read to kids, as will East Elementary Principal Greg Jergens and Miss Iowa.

Fridays at 10 a.m. are Toddler Time.  “There’s one Friday Toddler Time that will be special,” Kahler says of the event scheduled for June 16.  “We invited Elizabeth from The Joy of Music in Washington to come and do a music-filled story time with some singing and dancing. . . I think it will be great for our littlest members to have some fun too.”

And finally, on two Saturdays, June 24 and July 22, the library will try something they have never done before: Pokemon trading card days.  

Washington Public Library, Kahler says, does it “once a month on an evening, and they always have a pretty good turnout.”

The Kalona Public Library serves Riverside as well, so Kahler will have story time and crafts for Riverside residents on Mondays at 10 a.m. at the Highland Elementary School Library starting on June 19.  Kids signed up for that program through the school; they also will get t-shirts for their reading this summer.  For the end of summer finale, there will be a bouncy house and outdoor scavenger hunt.

To put on the summer reading program, the Kalona Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Kalona Public Library, and lots of local businesses and organizations participate or provide sponsorship and prizes.  

“Its super, super fun to network with all of the community to make the whole summer reading program exist,” Kahler says.