ROCHELLE — The Flagg-Rochelle Public Library kicked off its Summer Reading program this week. The theme this year is Read, Renew, Repeat. The library has hosted a summer reading program for over 50 years to offer area kids a place to go and activities while they’re on summer break from school.

Library Director Sarah Flanagan called summer reading “very important” for area youth to both give them a safe place to go during the summer and to ensure their reading levels stay constant or improve while they’re away from school. 

“After three months out of school if they don't read, teachers can really tell the difference upon their return to school,” Flanagan said. “It's good to keep their minds moving and to have a schedule. Kids thrive with those kinds of things. And it's even more important post-COVID-19. We want to provide the best services we can to the Rochelle community. We want to have a space where kids can come and have fun and also be learning. Some kids feel like reading is a chore and that makes them not like it. We love when kids read here, but we also just want to get them in the door to come and do a program. And maybe they develop a love of reading after that.”

The library will offer an activity nearly every day during the summer months. Storytime for readers up to the age of seven accompanied by caregivers will take place on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 10:15 a.m. Books with Friends will meet every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. for readers to explore a variety of books and activities.

The 4-C Play and Learn Group will meet on the first and third Wednesday of every month at 10:30 a.m. Families with children aged 0-5 can join the free group for story time, music, dancing and engaging play and learning activities. Library Lego Club for all ages meets the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. The library will host a 4-H & Master Gardeners family activity on Aug. 13 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

The library will host Outdoor Family Movie Nights on June 14 (8:30 p.m., Fern Gully the Last Rain Forest) and July 12 (8:30 p.m., Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs). Outdoor Water Fun will be held Aug. 9 from noon to 2 p.m.

Severson Dells Nature Center will present Animal Homes & Habitats on June 13 at 1 p.m. and attendees can discover how animals interact with and rely on our prairie, forests, ponds, and creeks by building hands-on models. Burpee Museum will present Reptiles! on July 18 at 1 p.m. and attendees can learn about the scaly roommates we share the planet with and meet them in person.

“The theme this year works in conservation of Earth and animals and their habitats,” Library Outreach Clerk Ashley Capes said. “We're having the Burpee Museum come out to talk about reptiles with the kids and Severson Dells will be here to talk about animal habitats. Our story times will be all about different animal habitats. A lot of our programs are based around making art. We're trying to fit the conservation theme and have fun with other stuff.”

Maker Mondays will be held every week from 11-1 p.m. with a series of drop-in sessions featuring arts, crafts and creature activities for kids aged eight and up. Gamer Thursdays will be held each week and attendees can enjoy playing board games and video games. 

Just for Kids workshops will be held for kids ages nine and up on June 18 (weaving, 2 p.m.), July 2 (painting, 2 p.m.) June 26-27 (11:30 a.m., crochet), and July 24-25 (11:30 a.m., crochet). 

“I'm excited to see all of the children and families come into the library,” Capes said. “I love when they're here and when they experience all of the things we have to offer. We just want to get them in here and show them what they have to offer. All of our programs are free and you don't have to have a library card to participate. This is our busiest time of the year and we plan it six months in advance. Maybe some families can't afford an art program or a trip to the museum. So we're trying to bring those things here and offer them for free.”

The library will also offer Teen Book Society: Summer Scares. Attendees can try the horror genre on for size at the library. The group will meet once a month to discuss books. July 9 at 1 p.m. they will discuss #MurderTrending by Gretchen Michell and Aug, 6 ay 1 p.m. they will discuss All these Bodies by Kendare Blake. The first book will be available in June for pickup at the main circulation desk. Teen Book Society is suitable for readers in grades 9-12. 

There will be offerings for adults this summer. Silent Storytime for Grown Ups is June 28, July 26 and Aug. 30 from 6-8 p.m. Morning Book Club meets the last Wednesday of each month at 10:15 a.m. 

There will be an Adult Painting Workshop on July 23 at 6 p.m. An Adult Sunflower Weaving Workshop will be held Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. The Master Gardeners of Ogle County will host a Warm Weather Vegetable Container Garden Planting Workshop for Adults on June 11 at 6 p.m.