‘Build a Better World’ during Randolph library Summer Reading

Shana Tucker's "ChamberSoul Cello
Stories" will kick off Summer Reading
at all libraries in June.

ASHEBORO – Join in and “Build a Better World” as the Randolph County Public Library’s 2017 Summer Reading Program gets underway with appearances by musician and songwriter Shana Tucker at all seven libraries, and over 200 more storytimes, performances, hands-on activities, movies, author appearances and more for children,
teens and adults.

The reading initiative runs during June and July at the Archdale, Asheboro,  Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman and Seagrove libraries.

During the summer, children can sign up to track minutes or books read in return for reading rewards. Last year, local children ages 0 thru 12^th grade and their families checked out over 57,000 books and reported reading for more than 778,000 minutes.

Teens and adults can get in on the act too, and keep track of their summer reading for chances to win prizes such as gift certificates to the Friends of the Library Bookshop.

Schedules and complete details can be found at www.randolphlibrary.org/summer and at your local library.

The Asheboro library will kick off its summer events from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, with “Pop-Up Play Daze” outdoors and a “Balloon Magic” performance by Asheboro native Clark Sides. At the Liberty library, aerialist Amanda Finch will perform breathtaking stunts at a Summer Reading Opening Celebration carnival from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10.

Tucker, a cellist based in the Triangle, will bring a unique blend of jazz, acoustic pop and folk music to each library in June with “ChamberSoul Cello Stories,”  accompanied by guitarist Emily Musolino. The duo will appear at the libraries as follows:

·        Archdale, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 14;

·        Asheboro, 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 13;

·        Franklinville, 2 p.m. Thursday, June 15;

·        Liberty, 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13;

·        Ramseur, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 22;

·        Randleman, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 15;

·        Seagrove, 2 p.m. Thursday, June 22.

In July, Asheville’s Bright Star Touring Theatre will visit all the libraries with “Happily Ever After,” a laugh-out-loud take on Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales that will invite lots of audience participation.

In between, all the libraries will offer a range of weekly storytimes, performances and other activities. Percussive performer The Spoon Man will visit Archdale, Liberty and Randleman libraries; Balloon magician Clark Sides also will appear at Randleman, and Joy the Clown will entertain kids at Randleman and Seagrove. Randleman will host the ever popular “Snakes Alive” with Ron Cromer.

Teens, meanwhile, can build a roller coaster, go on a scavenger hunt, play videogames and take a comic book art class in Asheboro, while in Archdale they can participate in a Summer Pottery Slam and celebrate Christmas in July. In Liberty, they can hang out at weekly “#hangout” maker events and “Get Creative” in weekly craft activities, and in Randleman, engage in some “Mad Science.”

The 9^th annual Lego Mania competition will cap things off on August 11 in Asheboro.

Adults in Asheboro can find out about the exotic ways flowers propagate themselves, hear from poet Barbara Presnell, learn about white lighting in North Carolina and explore the heritage of Cherokee crafts. In Randleman and Liberty, they can enjoy weekly craft events, and in Liberty also attend a computer class series.

The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by Friends of the Randolph County Public Library with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. It’s part of a national effort to keep children reading during the break from school; research shows that kids who read during the summer do better in school the next year.