The Mt. Pleasant library is a center of summer activity for kids of all ages. The summer reading program for ages 0 through 12 is in full swing. There’s still time to sign up. Kids earn prizes by filling in a reading log that has 48 balloons on it, reading 15 minutes for each balloon. Coloring in the balloons earns kids tickets towards free prizes, coupons from Main Street Pizza and a free book. Registration ends on July 8. Meanwhile, every Monday at 10 a.m. the Mt. Pleasant library hosts a hands-on event for kids, earning tickets with a fun new nature-inspired theme each week.

On Monday, June 10th dozens of families showed up at the Mt. Pleasant community center on Main Street (across from the library) to enjoy the library’s “What’s in your yard” morning adventure. A treasure hunt, designing an ant farm and living barnyard animals kept kids busy and happy. A lesson in growing plants from seeds was presented by Mt. Pleasant resident Jenny Savio, and each child got to plant a sunflower seed in a cup to take home. The hands down favorite? The barnyard animals, of course! Matilda the African tortoise, Marion the chicken and a goat named Cinnamon were happy to let the kids hold them or hug them. Such fun!

The Mt. Pleasant Library plans a new children’s event for each Monday (at 10 a.m.). Monday, June 17 is the “Forest,” Monday, June 24 is the “Jungle,” Monday, July 1 is the “Island.” Come to the Mt. Pleasant Rec Center and check out these amazing adventures and earn tickets for prizes!

Meanwhile, the Teen Summer Reading Challenge runs through Aug. 9. Teens can read anything they want for a total of 1,000 minutes to get a coupon for Main Street Pizza, a free book and an entry into the grand prize drawing. Teens can pick up a Summer Reading Challenge Booklet to track their time and fill out their reading log. Teens who complete the reading log get a prize when they show their log to a Mt. Pleasant librarian, and they will be invited to the Pool Party on Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. Teens need to be registered, registration for the Teen Reading Challenge runs through July 31.

Another upcoming event for teens registered in the reading challenge is sure to be loads of fun. Meet at the Mt. Pleasant Library on Friday, July 12, at 5 p.m. for “Capture the Flag”. (Bring your own nerf guns!) And, of course, there’s the season’s grand finale, the Pool Party on Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. (meet at the Mt. Pleasant Aquatic Center pool).

For adults, Mt. Pleasant’s Page Turners Book Club, which has been a beloved community event for over a century, meets monthly. Stop by the library to get this month’s book (“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver). The book club will meet on Thursday, June 27, in the lower library for a lively, soul-searching discussion of the book. Snacks are served. The Page Turners welcomes adults from the entire county. Come and check out the energy that has kept this group meeting again and again for so long.

The Mt. Pleasant Library is located at 24 E. Main St., Mt Pleasant. They are open Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.