Summer Reading 2018

Welcome to Summer Reading 2018! We hope you will have a great time with us this summer. We have reading incentive prizes for children and teens, plus special drawings for prizes for adults.  The theme this year for all ages is “Libraries Rock!”

We have a great lineup of performances for all library locations with “Chatty the Mime” June 5^th through 7^th, magician David LeBoeuf June 12^th through 14^th, Managers’ Programs June 19^th through 21^st, Theatre Acadie with Sarah Roy June 26^th through 28^th, Managers’ Programs July 10^th through 12^th, and Managers’ Programs featuring our own Thelma Fontenot with “Fun with Spanish” July 17^th through 19^th (except at Ville Platte where we will have authors David and Anna Rainey on July 17^th).

The summer will “kick off” with a resounding event featuring the percussion magic of Elizabeth Vidos, “Lady Chops,” on Tuesday May 29^th at 6 p.m. at the main library only.  This special program is co-sponsored by Cabot Corp. and the Friends of the Library.

We have a great lineup of Managers’ Programs this year, so be sure to check the calendar for more information.  Don’t miss, for example, musician Ashton Dupre at Turkey Creek on June 19^th, local author Leon Gallow at Ville Platte on June 19^th, and Cajun Storytelling at Basile on Thursday June 21^st. Evangeline Soil and Water Conservation’s Chantel Johnson at all locations July 10^th through 12^th (plus a special appearance by Mayor Heather Cloud at Turkey Creek on July 10^th). 

All events are FREE to the public, but remember space is limited and adults must accompany children younger than 10. 

No programs are scheduled for the 4^th of July week.

Again this year we are not selling T-shirts.  The funds to purchase them have been channeled into purchasing more incentive prizes to encourage reading.

Early registration begins Tuesday May 29th. No prizes are given out until June. When you register, you will receive a FREE special themed plastic drawstring bag with bookmark, event calendars, reading log, pencil, tattoo, and a Summer Reading brochure explaining in detail how the program works. You can also download the reading logs, event calendars, and brochure from this webpage. You can also view more information about each of our special grant-sponsored performers.

To earn a treasure chest drawing, each reader reads 10 books. For older children, we encourage them to read at least 2 of the 10 books on their reading level. The other 8 books can be shorter books read to younger brothers or sisters or cousins, etc. This helps in two ways: 1) it keeps older children from being discouraged by having to read too many pages before they become eligible for a prize. 2) It helps foster the love of reading by encouraging older children to read to younger ones, and it makes this a family project.

 As a special item this year, readers also earn coupons good for free ice cream cones courtesy of Sonic.

After a reader earns a prize, he or she then reads another 10 books to be eligible for another prize. Again, older children/teens are encouraged to read at least 2 of the 10 books on their reading level and also read aloud to younger children 8 shorter books on the younger child’s level.

We limit treasure chest prizes to no more than two per week and no more than twelve maximum. The last day to turn in reading logs and receive treasure chest prizes is Friday, July 27^nd except for TURKEY CREEK which is Thursday, July 26^th. Sorry, no exceptions. To find out more, download our special Summer Reading brochure and our calendars of June and July events. We also have reading logs available on line as well as at each library branch.

For adults, we have prize drawings in June, July, and August.  Three lucky adult winners per library branch per month will receive drawing prizes.  For more information about how to participate in the adult Summer Reading program, please call 363-1369 or the branch nearest you, or download our Summer Reading brochure on this webpage.

I would like to especially thank our sponsors for Summer Reading 2018:  Louisiana Decentralized Arts Funding as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts (performer grants) and Cabot Corporation, Friends of the Library, Basile State Bank, Pine Prairie Energy Center, and Sonic for prize and supply grants. Extra special thanks to our wonderful summer volunteers for working with the library staff to help make this a fantastic summer for all ages!

Our regular children’s programs at the Main Library will also continue throughout the summer.  These include “Fun with French” with Miss Jo on Mondays at 3:30, “Mother Goose Storytime” with Miss Pat on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30, and “Fun with Spanish” with Miss Thelma on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. (except Wed. July 18^th, when Miss Thelma will be giving programs at other branches).

We welcome additional donor support for Summer Reading and for our year round “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program. Please contact outreach coordinator Suzy Lemoine at 363-1369 or [email protected] for more information.

Come join us and help make this a great summer!  Libraries Rock!

Mary Foster-Galasso
Library Director

[email protected]

Chatty the Mime has captivated audiences for years with her playful antics and whimsical routines. Skilled at object manipulation, she is best known for her juggling skills, especially with her trademark bowler hat. Chatty entertains all ages with juggling, clowning, mime, and magic. She delivers topnotch performances, lessons, party games, and balloon animals for a variety of events. Her performances can be viewed on Youtube as well as her website: https://www.chattythemime.com

June 5: Turkey Creek Library 10 a.m., Ville Platte 2pm and 6pm
June 6: Pine Prairie Library 10 a.m., Mamou Library 2 p.m.
June 7: Basile Library 10 a.m., Chataignier Library 3 p.m.

David LeBoeuf has been a professional storyteller, magician and puppeteer for sixteen years. He is a graduate of Delgado College, New Orleans, LA  and later earned his LPN from Young Memorial Technical Institute, Morgan City, LA.  His professional experience as a storyteller and puppeteer includes performances for “Just Kids At Art”, Houma, La., Southern Louisiana Electric Company, Chelsea’s Pub-House, San Antonio, TX, South Louisiana Medical Center-Pediatric Unit, Houma, LA, and multiple Louisiana libraries. He is included in the Louisiana Directory of Performing Artists published by the Louisiana State Library for cultural arts programs

June 12: Turkey Creek Library 10 a.m., Ville Platte, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
June 13: Pine Prairie Library 10 a.m., Mamou Library 2 p.m.
June 14: Basile Library 10 a.m., Chataignier Village Hall 3 p.m.

Sarah Gauthier Roy is a native of Carencro, Louisiana. She is a graduate of Carencro High School, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performing Arts with an emphasis in theatre. Sarah has been performing on stage for over 20 years within her community and nationally. Over the years she gained experience in stage management, traveling theatre, and collegiate theatre production. Today she is the director of Theatre Acadie located in Lafayette. She recently partnered with Cite des Arts, to meet the needs of the community with theatre. Her website is: http://www.theatreacadie.com.

June 26: Turkey Creek Library 10 a.m., Ville Platte 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
June 27: Pine Prairie Library 10 a.m., Mamou Library 2 p.m.
June 28: Basile Library 10 a.m., Chataignier Village Hall 3 p.m.