Summer off to a singing start at Rockville Centre's library

On June 26, the Rockville Centre Public Library hosted its annual kickoff concert to mark the start of a wide variety of summer programs. Popular children’s entertainer Darlene Graham returned, bringing families together and creating excitement about the season.

One hundred fifteen children and 90 adults packed the large community room for Graham’s performance of dance-rock, a genre that combines elements of pop, country and Celtic rhythms. The concert was presented by the library’s Youth Services Division, which now encompasses both young adult and children’s programs. The kickoff concert has for years been a fun event that officially gets the summer under way.

The activities now available for infants and toddlers to learn the joy of reading include Mother Goose and Book Buddies. Youngsters may also enroll in Mad Science, Art with Anne or a number of other programs that foster kids’ creativity.

The Potato Chip Challenge is open to young children, tweens and teens, and allows participants to make and sample snacks. The older age groups are also offered a variety of other programs, ranging from Manicure Night to video game challenges and baking and decorating classes, which encourage their involvement with the library.

Summer Reading Clubs also provide tweens and teens the opportunity to read and share with their peers. Readers are encouraged to complete a mini-review of a book they have completed to earn “Book Bucks” that can be exchanged for fun prizes.

New adult programs are an addition to the library’s summer offerings this year. They include the suspenseful Blind Date with a Book experience and the group-read of Cristina Alger’s “The Darlings.” A Summer Reading Club for adults is returning.

There was no admission fee for the kickoff concert, but attendees were asked to bring canned food for the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network. The library will accept donations through the summer in a box outside the building.

“We’re so proud to provide new and free programs to the community and to give back,” said Terry Ain, director of the Youth Services Division.

All library programs are free for Rockville Centre cardholders, to prevent income barriers from dictating who is able to participate, Ain explained.

The summer programs will be offered through mid-August. A petting zoo on Aug. 13 will end the season’s fun. School supplies will be collected at that event to continue the library’s effort to give back to the needy in the community.

For more information about summer activities at the library, consult library fliers, its website, www.rvclibrary.org, the Herald Community Update and www.liherald.com.