As the summer season approaches, the public libraries in Tishomingo County are thrilled to announce the launch of our highly anticipated Summer Reading Program with the captivating theme, "Adventure Begins at Your Library."

Designed to ignite the imaginations of readers of all ages, this year's programs promise an exhilarating exploration through the pages of thrilling tales and gripping narratives. From epic quests to daring escapades, participants will discover a world of excitement and intrigue within the pages of their favorite books.

"We are excited to invite our community to embark on a literary adventure with us this summer," said Teresa Templeton, Iuka Public Library, Head Librarian. "Our Summer Reading Program is not just about reading; it's about unlocking new worlds, expanding horizons, and fostering a lifelong love for storytelling."

The "Adventure" theme encourages readers to dive into a wide array of genres, including fantasy, mystery, science fiction, historical fiction, and more. Whether traversing distant galaxies, solving perplexing mysteries, or braving uncharted territories, participants are sure to find a thrilling adventure that sparks their imagination.

In addition to encouraging a love for reading, the Iuka Public Library has Summer Reading Program offering a variety of engaging activities and events for participants of all ages. Interactive workshops, game and craft days and themed movie nights.

Participants will have the opportunity to track their reading progress, earn incentives throughout the duration of the program.

The Iuka Library programs kick off on June 5 at 2 p.m. with a visit from Coon Creek Science Center. Stop by our branch for a reading log to record your books. Reading incentive prizes will be available each week for those who have read. Programs throughout the summer include:

Wednesday, June 5th – 2:00 p.m. – Learn about Fossils with Coon Creek Science Center Wednesday, June 12th – 2:00 p.m. – Rock Painting and Story Walk Story Time Thursday, June 20th – 2:00 p.m. – Friends of Pickwick Lake Wildlife

Tuesday, June 25th – 2:00 p.m. – Fun and Games with the Iuka Staff Tuesday, July 9th – 2:00 p.m. – Smokey Bear and the U.S. Forest Service Saturday, July 20th – 10:00 a.m. – Pokémon Day at the Library

We will also have Scavenger Hunts at our branch. Images from our SRP theme will be hidden in our library, and we will also have a Pokémon scavenger hunt to go along with our Pokémon Day. This year we will have our Story Walk Day at the library.

For more information about our Summer Reading Program, please visit our website at www.nereg.lib.ms.us, call 622-423-6300, or visit us at 204 North Main Street in Iuka. We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The Tishomingo Public will also have something for all ages. Their programs include:

Monday, June 3rd – 10:30 a.m. – “Adventure Journals” – Learn how to make an adventure journal with Missy Dunlap. A fun and creative way of exploring and documenting the world around you this summer.

Monday, June 10th – 10:30 a.m. – “Stone-n-Paint” – Sometimes called a kindness rock or stone, rock painting is a great way of connecting and sharing kindness with others.

Monday, June 17th – 10:30 a.m. – “Animal Adventures with Deb” – Come see Debora Waz Davis and her live animals. Debora is a conservation biologist with the MS Museum of Natural Science in Jackson, MS. Learn about what a conservation biologist does and why it’s important to preserve our animal’s natural habitats.

Monday, June 24th – 10:30 a.m. – “Summer Olympics Tishomingo” – The 2024 Summer Olympics, also known as Paris 2024, is an upcoming international event scheduled to kick off in July into August. In preparation for the games, let’s celebrate with our own special games. Reading certificates will be awarded and refreshments will be served after the program.

Adventure Time in Storybooks – A short story will be read by a guest reader after each program.

Other fun activities this summer include an in-house scavenger hunt, guess how many pages in a jar, our community puzzle, and coloring & activity pages.

Reading logs will be available for anyone who wants to take part in the reading component of the Summer Reading Program. Attendance is not required – just visit the library with your reading log and show us what you’ve read. Incentives will be given for participation.

The adventure awaits at your library. We can’t wait to see you! For more information, please call 662-438-7640 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Follow us on Facebook at Tishomingo Public Library or visit our website at nereg.lib.ms.us for updates.

The Burnsville Public Library is also excited to announce a summer full of fun activities for the “Adventure Begins at Your Library” Summer Reading Program. Events will begin in June and will continue until the end of July, and people of all ages are encouraged to participate. Reading logs will be available for anyone who wishes to keep track of their reading hours in exchange for incentive prizes. Summer programs at the library include:

Wednesday, June 5th – 1:00 p.m. – Library Cave Exploration with a “Bats in the Library” Story Time

Wednesday, June 12th & Wednesday, June 26th – 1:00 p.m. – Bubble Party with Sidewalk Chalk and Music

Wednesday, July 3rd – 12:00 p.m. – Flower Seed Planting

Wednesday, July 10th & Wednesday, July 24th – 1:00 p.m. – Bubble Party with Sidewalk Chalk and Music

Wednesday, July 17th – 1:00 p.m. – “Little Bear’s Big Adventure” Story Time

For more information about Burnsville Library’s Summer Reading Program, visit our website at www.nereg.lib.ms.us or call 662-427-9258. The library is located at 7 Norman Ave in Burnsville and is open Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In Belmont, the Belmont Public Library hopes to motivate everyone to read, develop positive attitudes about books and reading, and encourage regular use of the library. All programs are free of charge and open to everyone.

Program dates will be Tuesdays, June 4, 11, 18, and 25. The programs will start at 10:00 a.m. Activities will include presentations by community agencies, story time, crafts, and door prizes. The library will also conduct an outdoor program at C.C. Shook Park on Friday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call the Belmont Library at 662-454-7841 or visit the website www.nereg.lib.ms.us. The library is located at 11 Third Street and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.