By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
No two months out of the year go faster than June and July. The Great Bend Public Library kicked off its All Together Now Summer Reading Program on June 2. The program is winding down as August nears but not before going out with a bang. Teen Services Librarian Haylee Huddleston said the final Volunteen event is Tuesday, July 25, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
"We will be turning old jeans and other recycled materials into dog and cat toys that we will donate to the humane society after that," she said.
The Upcycle It! event is for teens in grades 6-12. The library will provide the materials to make the cat and dog toys. In June, the teens created sunshine boxes filled with various yellow items like Play-Doh and pens to help brighten the days of three random library sponsors. Last month, the Volunteens created their own TikTok videos to promote library services.
The library is also keeping its younger readers busy. Last Tuesday, the Kindness Kids Book Club for grades 2-5 made sunshine bags for the Family Crisis Center. The sunshine bags and boxes are filled with various items to brighten someone's day.
"This summer, we've been trying to go along with our theme, which is 'All Together Now,' and really emphasize kindness and contributing to the community," Huddleston said. "That was the inspiration behind the sunshine bags."
The Great Bend Public Library is teaming up with Smoky Hills PBS on Tuesday, July 25th at 10:30 a.m. for storytime. The event will feature a Daniel Tiger book and the corresponding episode from the popular PBS show. Each child who attends will receive a free book and craft following the program.
Huddleston and staff continue to seek ways to get teens active in the community. CLICK HERE to sign up as a Volunteen.