By Judy Reed

Kids enjoyed crafts and more at the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library. Photo by J. Reed

Surf’s up at both the Cedar Springs Public Library and the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library! Both libraries kicked off their summer reading programs with a boat load of fun earlier this week to introduce the themes “Make a Splash” for elementary, and “Make waves” for teens. Cedar Springs also has “Water your mind” for adults.

Cedar Springs kicked off their program Monday, June 14, with free ice cream cups for kids, a petting zoo, free book bags for kids, a book sale and more. City Councilors Pat Capek and Pam Conley handed out ice cream, and Mayor Charlie Watson also made an appearance.

According to Library Director Donna Clark, 652 people attended the opening event, 50 more than last year. They currently have 619 people signed up so far for the summer reading program, and a few weeks left of open registration.

This sheep nuzzles kids at the C.S. Library. Photo by J. Reed

Next week the library will have a special evening of water games for 4th-6th graders, a preschool story time, a ventriloquist for all ages, and a mini-luau for adults.

The Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library kicked off their program on Tuesday, June 15 with a summer carnival featuring games, crafts, prizes, a ton of carnival-style fun, and a plant sale to benefit the library. Details on how many attended were not available at press time.

Next week the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library John Ball’s Traveling Zoo on Tuesday, June 22, at 1:30 p.m. and a puppet play on Wednesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. For a listing of all events for both libraries, download our “Beat the Boredom” guide from our website at www.cedarspringspost.com.

For more info on programs at Cedar Springs, you can also visit cedarsprings.llcoop.org.