It's 'showtime' at the library

Here at the Cloquet Library we are busy planning a variety of summer programs and events to celebrate reading and our community. Our summer reading season will run May 20-Aug. 2.

Keiko Satomi, Cloquet’s children’s librarian, has spent the spring busily planning an exciting summer for children. The children’s summer reading program will be similar to that of previous years. Children will have a choice of completing either literacy activities or recording minutes spent reading. Prizes range from a coupon for free ice cream to a book of the child’s choice, to a pass for a Cloquet-area activities.

Here are some of the “do not miss” events of the summer. All these events are free and open to everyone:

Knock Summer Reading Out of the Park! with the Duluth Huskies 9:30-11 a.m. Friday, June 7 at the Churchill Elementary Gym. Listen to stories read by Huskies players, get autographs, and meet mascot Harley D. Huskie. Each child who attends will receive a book of their choice and a ticket to the Sunday, July 14 Books & Baseball Huskies game at Duluth’s Wade Stadium.

Thank you to the Friends of the Cloquet Library and Reliable Insurance for funding this program.

Don B! Reading is Fundamental 6-7 p.m. Thursday, June 13. Two-time champion unicyclist and juggler/comedian Don B! will present amazing feats found in books. Funded by the Friends of the Cloquet Library.

The Dollipops 10-11 a.m. Monday, June 24. Get ready to sing, dance, and laugh with the engaging, high-energy, highly interactive new kids’ show, “The Dollipops!” Dolli and Pop are sisters who have traveled all the way from Sweet Tart City to take you on a magical and musical road trip that is sure to get kids (and their parents) moving, grooving, and making memories. This program, sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Youth Services librarian Justin Dinger and Youth Worker Marna-Butler Fasteland are planning an exciting summer for tweens and teens.

Movie Night Thursday, June 13 at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Funded by the Friends of the Cloquet Library.

Space Camp July 15-19 for youth in grades 5-9. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and learn about space! Justin won a grant from NASA and is receiving science education training. He will have lots of exciting projects for youth. Stay tuned for more details. Funded by a grant from NASA.

Skate Park opening with DJ Kool Akiem Friday, July 26 at 3 p.m. He will present a workshop on the history of hip-hop, one of the most popular and pervasive youth cultures today.

Adults can pick up a postcard entry form and return it for a chance at a $20 gift card to an area business. The postcard book reviews will be posted around the library.

The library is offering a Fine Discount Week May 20-25. Pay $1 and get all your overdue fines cleared from your account. The proceeds will be used to purchase another book bin for children’s picture books.