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Rookie mom

Libraries bring fun to lazy summer

By KATHERINE SNOW SMITH
Published May 22, 2005

The public libraries have plenty of things planned to intrigue children over the summer. Most libraries are participating in a statewide program to encourage children to read by giving out book logs. Kids get prizes for reading the books. Even listening to a book that's read aloud by an adult or sibling counts.

Below are some other programs going on this summer at the nice, cool libraries that offer a break from the heat and a path to millions of places to visit through books:

Come see well-trained guide dogs in action. June 13, at 2 p.m. at West Branch; June 14, 2 p.m. at North Branch; June 15, 2 p.m. at South Branch; June 16 at 10:45 a.m. at Mirror Lake; June 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Johnson Branch and 2 p.m. at the Main Library.

Wonders of nature program with birds, spiders, reptiles, snakes and more. June 27 at 2 p.m. at West Branch; June 28 at 2 p.m. at North Branch; June 29 at 2 p.m. at South Branch; June 30 at 2 p.m. at Mirror Lake; July 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Johnson Branch and 2 p.m. at the Main Library.

Magic shows for all ages. July 11 at 2 p.m. at West Branch; July 12 at 2 p.m. at North Branch; July 13 at 2 p.m. at South Branch; July 14 at 10:45 a.m. at Mirror Lake; July 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Johnson Branch and at 2 p.m. at the Main Library.

Family Story Times are reading gatherings where parents can bring their kids after work. Thursdays year-round: 7 p.m. at the Main Library. June 2 and July 7 at 7 p.m. at West Branch.

Movies this year include some big hits and recent releases such as The Incredibles, Home on the Range and Shrek 2 for kids and Spider-Man 2 and Sleepover for teens. Call the libraries for specific movie listings. Libraries show the movies on a pull-down screen: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for kids and 6:30 p.m. for teens at the Main Library; Thursdays 2 p.m. at Johnson Branch; Fridays at 2 p.m. at South Branch; Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. at Mirror Lake and at 2 p.m. at the Seminole Library. The library at St. Pete Beach will offer a Harry Potter triple feature on July 30, Harry's birthday of course, starting at 10 a.m and running until around 4 or 5 p.m. Bring a lunch; snacks provided.

Kids can make crafts at the Gulfport Public Library Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. June 16 to July 19. Teen volunteers are invited to help. Special events on Wednesdays at the Gulfport library at 2:30 p.m. will feature balloon animals, live animals, a bat expert and more.

The Pinellas Park library has special guests with programs on science, nature, dogs and much more every Tuesday at 2 p.m. June 7 to July 12.

New readers can read to Arthur and other stuffed animals Tuesdays at 5 p.m. at the library in St. Pete Beach May 24 to July 19. On Mondays at 7 p.m., preteens and teens can work on scrapbooking there from June 6 to July 18. Also on Mondays at 3 p.m., from May 23 to July 25, the library will allow kids who can read on their own to try a 30-minute program that includes reading and exercises.

Wonderful Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at the Seminole library will feature a dog show, a children's theater performance and reptile discovery.

Many libraries also offer a slew of story times, parent-child book clubs and puppet shows.

Call to find out what else is planned near you. The libraries are closed May 30 and July 4.

You can reach Katherine Snow Smith by e-mail at snowsmith@verizon.net or write Rookie Mom, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

Main Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. N, 892-5296; Johnson Branch, 1059 18th Ave. S, 893-7113; Mirror Lake Branch, 280 Fifth St. N, 893-7268; North Branch, 861 70th Ave. N (next to Fossil Park), 893-7214; South Branch, 2300 Roy Hanna Drive S (62nd Avenue S), 893-7244; West Branch, 6605 Fifth Ave. N, 341-7199; Seminole 9200 N 113th St., 394-6913; St. Pete Beach Library, 365 73rd Ave., 363-9238; Pinellas Park Public Library, 78th Avenue at 52nd Street, 541-0718; Gulfport Library, 5501 28th Ave. S, 893-1074; Gulf Beaches Library, 200 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach, 391-2828.

[Last modified May 22, 2005, 01:07:21]