School’s out, but the Morgantown Public Library is still very much in session.
“We have big things we do at all the locations for the summer,” said Sarah Palfrey, director of the Morgantown Public Library system, which in addition to the downtown location, includes branches in Arnettsville, Cheat Lake, Clay-Battelle, Clinton District, as well as the Aull Center.
The library’s summer reading program, A Universe of Stories, offers space-themed activities for kids, teens and adults.
“We take the space concept in a bunch of different directions,” Palfrey said. “We have out of this world crafts, organizing your space. We’re going to build some rocket ships at multiple locations with WVU’s 4-H extension, plus we have field trips to the WVU Planetarium planned. And on June 20, Emily Calandrelli will talk about being a scientist and her love of stories and writing.”
Teens and tweens will have an opportunity to write their own fan fiction, join a book club or the Afterschool D&D Club, check out movie nights, and there are two lock-ins scheduled in July and August, where they can stay in the library after hours, plays games, watch films and eat “ridiculous amounts of pizza.”
“We also have some movies we’re showing for adults,” Palfrey said. “We have a ‘Stranger Things’ night in July. And we always have tabletop gaming and Chess Club every month. Chess Club always gets a bump in the summer. And we have adult craft sessions, like how to sew buttons.”
Many activities offered throughout the year, such as Read to Rover, where kids are able to read aloud to and interact with dogs, continue during the summer months.
“That happens the last Thursday of the month,” Palfrey said. “It’s a great way for reluctant readers or kids who need a little more practice to keep up their reading skills.”
She goes on to point out that all these offerings are possible, due in large part to the library levy provided by the Monongalia County Commission.
“We’re very thankful for the funding that makes possible so many wonderful programs at all the branches,” Palfrey said.
And, you don’t necessarily have to stop in to reap the benefits.
“If you’re going out of town for vacation or a weekend trip, you can take our digital library with you,” she said, adding that in July thousands of audiobooks will be added to the current selections. “And it’s no holds, no waiting. It’s perfect for a spur of the moment road trip.”
To find out about all the library offers, visit mympls.org.
