CHELSEA- The Chelsea Public Library is hosting several different activities and challenges as part of its 11^th annual summer reading program. Library Director Dana Polk said this year’s theme is “Build a Better World,” and registration for children and teenagers is open on the week of May 28.

“Registration is ongoing. The kids can register at any time,” Polk said.

Polk said the 2017 summer reading program will feature activities or challenges designed for residents of all ages, and will incorporate a food drive for charity.

“We do programming for our Tot Spot, we have teen programs and we have a reading challenge for adults,” Polk said. “It’s not just focused on the kindergarten through fifth grade age level.”

The Tot Spot program will take place every Wednesday at the library’s location on Weldon Drive. An end of summer party will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, and will feature food and prizes.

Several kids’ activities are set to take place in the council chambers at Chelsea City Hall throughout the summer:

–On June 14 at 2 p.m., magician Bill Packard will present his show, “Build a Better Mousetrap,” for kids. “The magician is always fun. He’s been here the past couple of years,” Polk said.

–Brian Bruggeman will show off his juggling skills during his Juggle Well program at 2 p.m. on June 21. “The juggler is new. We haven’t had him before, but I’m trying to vary it up,” Polk said.

–Ventriloquist Ron Lighty is set to perform on June 28 at 2 p.m. “We’ve never had a ventriloquist, and he had some openings,” Polk said.

–Another new program, Build With Strawbees, will allow kids express their creativity by building with drinking straws. “I love to see what these kids create,” Polk said. “You can build windmill, domes and bridges. It’s limitless.”

–Springville-based group 6^th Day Creatures is scheduled to bring several animals for kids to observe on July 12 at 2 p.m.

–For the last activity of the summer, kids can play with hula-hoops at the Hoops for Fitness program on July 19 at 2 p.m.

A Minor Film School, a filmmaking course, will be available for youth in the sixth grade and older every Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Chelsea Community Center. Polk said the class is open to beginners, and will cover editing, storyboarding, shot composition, sound, lighting and other aspects of filmmaking.

Adults who have read six books will be entered in a drawing for a library goody bag, which will include notepads, pens and gift certificates.

Starting on June 13, the library will also provide popcorn and a movie at the community center every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Polk said reading challenges will vary depending on age. While the library gave out “library dollars” in exchange for prizes in past years, Polk said kids can earn the chance to spin a wheel to win various prizes, including books, candy and toys.

Kids who have completed a challenge will also be able to submit their name into a drawing for the grand prize: a bicycle provided by Bike Link in Birmingham.

“I’m not going to pick the child that reads the most books, because there’s always going to be that child who won’t be able to read as many books,” Polk said. “I felt it was more fair to have a random drawing.”

For more information about the Chelsea Public Library’s summer reading, visit Chelsealibraryonline.com or the library’s Facebook page.