H&R staff report

Argenta Public Library/Oreana Public Library

Carol Roberson, children's librarian, 795-2144 or 468-2340.

"Get in the Game, READ" registration is June 2 to 7, with preschool through adults encouraged to join the summer reading program.

Wednesday programs start June 11. Library summer highlights are Dave, the Math Dog, Get Up and Move with Macon County 4-H, Ronald McDonald, games, crafts, prizes.;and more.

Blue Mound Memorial Library

Linda Perona, librarian, 692-2774

Summer reading program registration week is June 9 to 14 and open to anyone with a Blue Mound library card, from birth through eighth grade.

Readers must read 60 minutes each week to receive prizes and coupons and complete six weeks by July 22 to finish the summer reading program and receive a ticket to attend the July 23 pool party.

Prizes will be awarded each week for birth to age 3 who participate in listening to stories read at home.

Wednesday programs, open to everyone, start at 10:30 a.m.:

June 18: "Snakes Alive & More!" presented by Snakehead Ed

June 25: "Get Up and Move" by Macon County 4-H at Wise Park

July 2: "Let the Games Begin," comedy and magic by Richard Landry

July 9: "Games, Games, Games," Wise Park

July 16: "Playtime Past," presented by Rock Springs Conservation Area

July 23: pool party, Blue Mound Swim Club.

Hope Welty Public Library District, Cerro Gordo

Shari Rawlings, children's librarian, 763-5001

Summer reading kickoff and signup for children ages 2 to 12 will be 1 to 2 p.m. June 3 with free Culver's ice cream sundaes. Signup will continue through that week.

Events include:

June 13: Rock Springs Conservation Area presents "Playtimes Past"

June 18: DePriest Puppets

June 27: water games.

Vespasian Warner Public Library, Clinton

Paula Lopatic, children's librarian, 935-5174

"Get in the Game - READ!" registration for kindergarten through eighth grade begins in the Children's Room on Thursday, May 29, and continues through Saturday, Aug. 16.

Among the programs are the return of Nitro Joe, the Mad Scientist on June 12, and Magician Eldon Roark on June 26..;The library will again offer twice weekly read-aloud/storytelling events on Monday and Wednesday mornings to assist children.

Decatur Public Library

Children's department, 424-2900, Ext. 5

"Get in the Game, READ!" starts Monday, June 2, in the children's department for any child with a Decatur Public Library card and in the care of an adult with a card. Those who sign up during the first three weeks of the program will be entered in drawings for T-shirts or duffel bags.

Each time readers complete a goal, they earn a reward. Among the rewards will be a ticket for a performance of "The Legend of Little Wolf" a Madcap Puppets Production, sponsored by a grant from Target.

Friends of Decatur Public Library is sponsoring the final reward for those completing the program, a paperback book.

In addition, the library will award prize books to the five elementary schools with the highest percentage of students completing the program.

Magician Rick Eugene will do a show on Friday, June 20. Other summer activities and story times will be posted on the children's page of the library Website: www.decatur.lib.il.us/childrens/childrens.htm

Decatur Public Library

Brian Looker, young adult and reference librarian, 421-9756

Paralleling the children's reading program is the third Teen Summer Reading Contest starting June 2.

Teens submit completed entry forms to our reference desk after reading five books per entry, then roll five dice each time. Prizes will be awarded on accumulated scores including card games, board games, sports equipment and apparel.

The contest is open to Decatur area teens entering seventh grade in the fall through those new high school graduates.

Forsyth Public Library

Jean Campbell, head librarian, or Lorraine Getty, children's librarian, 877-8174

Open to Forsyth residents and children who attended the Maroa-Forsyth Grade School during the 2007-08 school year. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 27 and ends July 25. Four age groups are available, with separate reading requirements.

"Get in the game, READ" kick off June 3 with Maroa-Forsyth High School football coach Josh Jostes, members of his 2008 football team, and cheerleaders in a "football lollapalooza."

Programs for all ages are Tuesdays at 2 p.m. beginning June 3 and ending July 25; no registration required. Special story times for children ages 2 to 5 are 10 a.m. Thursdays in June. Art Academy for ages 7 and older will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesdays July 9, 16 and 23.

Tuesday programs include Snakehead Ed Presents "Snakes Alive," "Reading is Magic" with Chris Egelston, Police Academy, The President's Show with Don Miller, Fun Day Carnival, Chris Odenwelder's FunTyme Music Show and Passport to China.

The farewell-to-summer party will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 25, in Forsyth Park, co-hosted by the staff of the park district.

South Macon Public Library, Macon

Mary Lee Melhorn, Librarian, 764-3356

Children through the eighth grade in the South Macon Public Library District must register during the week of June 9 to 14.

Programs, open to the public, begin at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays:

June 11: to be announced

June 18: "Snakes Alive and More"

June 25: "Get Up and Move" geared to ages 6 and older

July 02: "Let the Games Begin" Comedy & Magic, a memorial to former board president, Ramona Miller

July 09: Scovill Traveling Zoo

July 16: "Playtimes Past."

Mount Zion District Library

Laura Ellison, 864-3622

Summer reading registration is the week of May 27 to 31 for children of all ages as well as teens and adults.

Programs are planned throughout the summer for age kindergarten through sixth grade, including a visit from author Carolyn Crimi on June 11. Crimi will be available for a book signing as well.

Stonington Township Library

Nancy M. Moma, 325-3512

Registration is June 16 with the reading program scheduled through Aug. 9.

Programs, open to all ages, are free and begin at 1:30 p.m.

June 24, Leigh Snyder with baby llamas

July 1, Marionettes from Elsenpeter Productions

July 8, Martha Plog, storyteller

July 15, Brown's Oakridge Zoo of Smithfield, baby animals

July 22, Gary Letterly, Taylorville, natural resources

July 29, Nancy Briggs, Taylorville, "Stay in the Game with Smart Snacks."

Barclay Public Library, Warrensburg

Jody Long, children's librarian, 672-3621

Registration begins on report card pick-up day and continues for two weeks, with the reading program scheduled for June 9 through July 26.

On the schedule:

Reading programs for toddlers are at 10:30 a.m. Fridays, June 13 to July 25.

Story times for ages 3 to 5 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 10 to July 22.

Children going into first through sixth grades have programs at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays from June 12 to July 24. Richard Landry and a special guest headline the reward party Thursday, July 31, for all the children finishing the summer reading program.

Teens have special programs throughout the summer and adults who read will have a special program at summer's end.