Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - Staff at the Newton County Library want everyone to stop by the library this summer to have a little fun and learn a little, too.

"We expect to be very busy this summer," said Carol Durusau, children services manager at the library. "With the economy, many people probably are not going to be traveling as much."

She said the library has many activities planned so children - and adults - can entertain themselves and also learn something they wouldn't have learned otherwise.

"We should have a lot of fun," she said. "There's lots of things to do - something for any interest."

The summer fun kicks off June 1 and lasts until July 24.

Activities include puppet shows, storytimes and other activities.

So far, the library has planned a comic book art workshop at 6:30 p.m. June 2, a day full of puppets on June 3 and digital camera workshops for students on June 5. More activities will be posted in the library and on its Web site, www.newtonlibrary.org.

And just because a special activity isn't going on at the library one day, doesn't mean it doesn't have suggestions for youngsters to keep busy during the day.

This summer, children are asked to participate in the Summer Reading Club, in which normally about 2,000 children participate.

This year, the library isn't setting specific goals for the children to reach; instead, staff want participants to choose their own goals. They are allowed to read books, magazines, newspapers and any other reading material.

Once they meet their goal, they will get a free book and have a chance to enter a drawing, in which they can win prizes like gift certificates to local shops and restaurants.

The library's hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Michelle Floyd can be reached at michelle.floyd@newtoncitizen.com.