About 600 kids ranging in age from babies through sixth grade participated in Pelham Public Library’s summer reading program, “A Universe of Stories.”

The program wrapped up this week at the library with an end-of-the summer event onJuly 24.

“This year’s theme celebrated the bicentennial for the state of Alabama and also the celebration of the anniversary of the moon landing,” said Pelham Children’s Librarian Rebecca Burchfield. “We had weekly performers and activities that either had a tie to Alabama or a tie to space, and we tried to make it fun and entertaining for the kids that participated.”

This is the second year for the program to be held at the library’s new location, and the second year for the popular summer program, “Tech Time.”

A new addition to this year’s program was STEM materials provided at the library every other Saturday for kids to come and play with blocks or building materials.

“That was really fun and everyone seemed to enjoy being able to come and participate,” Burchfield said.

The library also holds a weekly story time, which continues during the summer season with two story hours on Wednesday, and one on Thursday evenings for families to bring their children for a story and activity.

The appeal of the summer reading program continues to garner interest with both parents and children alike because Burchfield said coming to the library is something everyone can enjoy.

“Kids love learning and summer reading is an opportunity to hold on to their reading skills,” Burchfield said. “I also think it is the perfect time for kids to be able to read for fun and expand what is out there and available. It gives kids the opportunity to come in and explore the library and see what is offered. The library offers so many things, and it is a great way for parents to come in and be able to bring their kids with them as well.”

Prize winners for the summer reading program included: Eliza Moore, who was the grand prize winner and won a bike from Bike Link; Grant Gonzalez won a Lego spaceship, and Micah Waller won a goodie basket from Panda Express.

Other prize winners won science academy kits for making things like slime, rockets, etc., Burchfield said.

Winners included Ethan Goebel for his slime lab; Jazmine Daniels for her robot lab; Zun Mawi Lun for a rocket lab; Kaleb Horner for a space sand lab and Aidan Conner for a stardust putty lab.

“We are a place that is fun, free, and we have air-conditioning,” Burchfield said. “When parents bring their kids into the library we have something for the two-year-old, the five-year-old, the 10-year-old, and even the parent. It doesn’t matter how old you rare or where you are from, we are here for everybody.”

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