Summer is on the horizon, and with that many organizations are beginning their summer sign-ups. This includes the summer reading programs at the Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library in Guthrie Center. The theme for this year’s programs is “Hometown Teams,” in alignment with the Smithsonian exhibit coming next month.

The program begins on June 7th for all ages, with an event featuring the Blank Park Zoo at 1:30pm. There will also be three additional programs with featured entertainment throughout the month. The weekly preschool-specific programs will be on Fridays in June, beginning on June 8th at 10:30am.

Library Director Pat Sleister is encouraging everyone to sign up as soon as possible. “Now is the time to start signing up for summer reading program. The preschoolers, we like to know how many we’re going to have so we know what we’ve got to have here ready for them. The K-5th grade, we want you to sign up too because we will be having some teamwork going on all summer and if you want to win some kind of a prize for your team, we need to have you signed up.”

A schedule of events can be found below:

*June 7th- Kick Off with Blank Park Zoo, 1:30pm

*June 8th- Pre-School Program Starts, 10:30am

*June 14th- Hansen Family Jugglers and Unicyclists, 1:30pm

*June 15th- Pre-School Program, 10:30am

*June 19th- Hometown Teams Day, 1:30pm

*June 22nd- Pre-School Program, 10:30am

*June 28th- Des Moines Science Center: Global Soundscapes, 1:30pm

*June 29th- Final Pre-School Program