Jefferson County Library has planned a fun-filled summer for kids of all ages. The 2010 Summer Reading Program, “Make a Splash – READ!” invites children to revel in the wonders of water and the many ways it touches our lives.

The program features reading, prizes and events for the entire family, and runs from Tuesday, June 22 to Thursday, Aug. 5.

At the Tuesday kickoff at 2 p.m., children will have an opportunity to sign up for the program, pick up their “A Star Reader Lives Here” yard sign, as well as create a wax-resist port hole to help decorate the Children’s Room of the library.

Participants are asked to read books that are interesting and challenging, keep track of the book titles and come to the library or bookmobile for prizes. Reading records are available at the library and on the bookmobile after the program begins.

Programs throughout the summer explore sea life and boatbuilding through guest presenters, field trips and art. Enjoy special events such as the Brian Waite Band with Waite’s show, “20,000 Volts Under the Sea”; a magic show by Aquifer Man; “Fire and Ice” by Mad Science; and a shadow-puppet show, “Jack and the Dragon,” performed by the Oregon Shadow Theatre. Get creative with the Friday Art and Lego Club. Finally, celebrate the great reading kids have done with a family game night.

Treasure chest

This year, kids will keep track of the total number of books read by all participants by dropping golden coins into a treasure chest created by local artist Drew Elicker. Come in throughout the summer and watch the chest fill with bounty. For each coin added to the treasure chest, the Friends of the Library will donate 10 cents toward the Literacy Council’s “Basket of Books” program, which brings books for families to local businesses and organizations.

Children do not need to be enrolled to attend these events. All events are free and open to the public.

“Make Waves @ Your Library” is this year’s Jefferson County Library Teen Summer Reading Program theme. Through reading, creative exploration and fun events, teens will discover that the library is a cool summer hangout.

Beginning on Wednesday, June 23 at 1 p.m., teens ages 11-18 may sign up for the summer game “Read the Waves!” Teens are welcome to create an altered journal with local artist Sidonie Wilson at 1:30 p.m. – just in time to keep track of summer fun.

The incentive to read a total of 18 hours and participate in any two library programs throughout the summer will be a $10 gift certificate from a business of the reader’s choice.

Events include a two-day baby-sitting clinic, costume party game night, a garage band jam session, an underwater floating mobile project, a fantastical creatures drawing workshop and more. All programs are free and open to teens ages 11-18; some require preregistration.

A full calendar of events, with further details, is available at the library, on the bookmobile or at

jclibrary.info.

Jefferson County Library is located at 620 Cedar Ave. in Port Hadlock.  For more information call 385-6544 or visit the website.