Photo by: Gracie Herring

For a Youth Services Librarian, the start of summer means one thing – the Summer Reading Program.  The theme for Summer Reading 2020 is Imagine Your Story.  While the program will look a little different this year, the Neuse Regional Libraries are proud to offer Summer Reading Programs for children and teens.  Registration for both programs is now open. 

Upon completing the registration form and liability waiver, your child will receive a Summer Reading Booklet filled with a reading log, schedule of events, and challenge cards with activities they can complete at home or in the Library.  Participants earn small prizes for completed reading logs and challenge cards as well as tickets to be entered into drawings for one of our grand prize packs.  Every participant is encouraged to read at least 10 hours this summer.

In partnership with Lenoir County Parks and Recreation, Lenoir County Schools, and the Kinston-Lenoir County Friends of the Library, we are excited to present the following performances at Pearson Park:

Tuesday, July 14, 7:00 p.m.  Big Bang Boom  

Join us for a high-energy show featuring covers (with a twist) combined with hard-rocking funky original children’s music. 

Tuesday, July 21, 7:00 p.m.  Casey’s Laugh and Learn  

Travel to a land where pumpkins are prisons, wolves sneeze down houses, dragons are ice cold, and science tells the rest of the story.

Tuesday, July 28, 7:00 p.m.  Magic by David

Experience an incredible magic show including live animals.  

Tuesday, August 4, 7:00 p.m.  Grey Seal Puppets

Get ready to be entertained by A Tangle of Tales, an imaginative mash up of The Frog Prince, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and The Three Little Pigs.

Tuesday, August 11, 7:00 p.m.  Time with Tain  

Join us for a one-man comedic circus show featuring a variety of colorful juggling props and interactive elements.

Teen Summer Reading Program at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library

Teens are invited to join us at the Kinston-Lenoir County Library on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. where the following activities will be offered:

Wednesday, July 15, 3:00 p.m. - Make your Own Mask and Hand Sanitizer

Wednesday, July 22, 3:00 p.m. – Casey’s Laugh and Learn  

Travel to a land where pumpkins are prisons, wolves sneeze down houses, dragons are ice cold, and science tells the rest of the story.

Wednesday, July 29, 3:00 p.m. – Dragon Eyes and No-Sew Magic Pouches

Wednesday, August 5, 3:00 p.m. – Create Your Own Dragon in a Jar with Kelly Lewis

Wednesday, August 12, 3:00 p.m. – Interactive Movie – The Princess Bride

La Grange Public Library

In partnership with La Grange Park and the Kinston-Lenoir County Friends of the Library, the La Grange Public Library is excited to present the following performances at La Grange Park:

Tuesday, July 21, 3:00 p.m.  Casey’s Laugh and Learn  

Travel to a land where pumpkins are prisons, wolves sneeze down houses, dragons are ice cold, and science tells the rest of the story.

Tuesday, August 11, 3:00 p.m.  Time with Tain  

Join us for a one-man comedic circus show featuring a variety of colorful juggling props and interactive elements.

Pink Hill Public Library

In partnership with the Kinston-Lenoir County Friends of the Library, the Pink Hill Public Library is excited to present the following performances on the back deck at the Pink Hill Public Library:

Tuesday, July 14, 3:00 p.m.  Big Bang Boom  

Join us for a high-energy show featuring covers (with a twist) combined with hard-rocking funky original children’s music. 

Tuesday, August 4, 3:00 p.m.  Grey Seal Puppets

Get ready to be entertained by A Tangle of Tales, an imaginative mash up of The Frog Prince, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and The Three Little Pigs.

La Grange and Pink Hill Public Library Teen Summer Reading Program

Teens are invited to join us at the La Grange Public Library on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. and the Pink Hill Public Library on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. where the following activities will be offered starting the week of July 13:

Week 1 - Make your Own Mask and Hand Sanitizer

Week 2 – Dragon Eyes and No-Sew Magic Pouches

Week 3 – Magic Wands and Harry Potter Trivia

Week 4 – Create Your Own Dragon in a Jar with Kelly Lewis

Week 5 – Interactive Movie – The Princess Bride

Greene County Public Library

In partnership with the Greene County Wellness Center, Greene County Public Schools, and the Greene County Friends of the Library, the Greene County Public Library is excited to present the following performances:

Monday, July 13, 11:00 a.m.  Big Bang Boom  

Join us for a high-energy show featuring covers (with a twist) combined with hard-rocking funky original children’s music. 

Monday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.  Casey’s Laugh and Learn  

Travel to a land where pumpkins are prisons, wolves sneeze down houses, dragons are ice cold, and science tells the rest of the story.

Monday, July 27, 11:00 a.m.  Time with Tain  

Join us for a one-man comedic circus show featuring a variety of colorful juggling props and interactive elements.

Monday, August 3, 11:00 a.m.  Dana Hill Magic

Blending his unique style of comedy and magic to create a fun-filled high energy show for all ages, you will be left in awe of this amazing magic show.

Monday, August 10, 11:00 a.m.  Fairy Tales and Dreams by the Sea

Meet some of your favorite fairytale characters.  They will sing, dance, tell stories, and more.  

Teen Summer Reading Programs at the Greene County Public Library

In its second year, the Teen Summer Reading Program continues as a successful collaboration between the Greene County Public Library and the Greene County Middle School and Greene Central High School. The middle school students will have a choice between four books that come with discussion questions to be completed and turned in to their ELA teachers the first week of school. Each student must follow a specific teacher designed rubric for the discussion questions. Students may read and complete questions for more than one book, and they will receive up to a 100-point credit in any class, if they fulfill all rubric requirements.  They can also earn up to 25 PBIS points per book.  The high school students will read Neal Shusterman’s Scythe and attend one of three workshops to be held at the Greene County Public Library in August. Each two-hour session will involve activities, essays, and of course, lots of fun.  They will receive 100 points in their English class for the new school year.

Jones County Public Libraries

The Jones County Public Libraries are proud to offer Summer Reading Sessions at all four locations.  Programs are held on Thursdays with the following schedule:  Comfort Public Library 11:00 a.m.; Maysville Public Library 1:00 p.m.; Pollocksville Public Library 3:00 p.m.; Trenton Public Library 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 16 – Once Upon a Time  

From wizards to fairytale balls, you will delight in fantastical stories and activities.  

Thursday, July 23 – A Hero’s Journey

Find inspiration with tales of heroic deeds, armor clad knights, and superheroes.  

Thursday, July 30 – Magical Creatures

Have a monster of a time with dragons, unicorns, and other magical creatures. 

Thursday, August 6 – Timeless Tales

Local legends, tall tales, and family lore will guide this week’s program.  

Thursday, August 13 – A New Twist on an Old Tale

Was the Big Bad Wolf just misunderstood?  We’ll look at traditional stories in new ways. 

We are so grateful to our library patrons and for the overwhelming support from our community. This might not be the summer that we originally imagined but you can still count on your Library to bring fun, educational, meaningful, and inspiring programs. We hope that you will join us for an incredible summer.  Stop by your local Library to register your child, or visit neuselibrary.org to complete the registration online.  Please call the Youth Service’s Department at 252-527-7066, ext. 133 for more information.