Stuffed animals star in Clearwater Public Library summer program

Clearwater Public Library is hosting its annual summer reading program. Live programs will be held weekly and smaller programs will be scheduled. Programs, open to only fifth grade students and younger, include a pet adoption and stuffed animal sleepover.

The Pet Adoption allows youngsters to pick a reading buddy from a selection of stuffed animals. Each pet comes with adoption papers to officially make the pet their own.

The stuffed animal sleepover allows kids to bring their favorite stuffed animal to the library for a sleepover. Library director Kathy Feusse will supervise the sleepover and take pictures of all the activities.

Pictures will be posted on the library's Facebook – ClearwaterNEPublicLibrary, Instagram – clearwaterpubliclibraryne and website – clearwaterpubliclibrary. org.

Youths entering sixth grade and older have two programs open only to them. These programs feature scratch-off tickets and an escape room.

Each day the library is open, youths enrolled in sixth grade and above may stop by the library for a chance to win one of the snack prizes available. To receive a ticket, entrants will draw a "silly" question and answer it.

A date has not been set for the escape room, but it is planned to happen within the summer. Teams of four kids going into sixth grade and above will have an opportunity to sign up for the escape room when registration opens.

Programs open for all ages include a sticker mosaic, reading challenge, scavenger hunt and "Meet my awesome pet."

The sticker mosaic is making its return to the Clearwater Public Library. Patrons are asked to stop by and add a couple of stickers to help create a new picture.

At the last after school program, kids were given bags with information about summer reading and a reading log challenge. Individuals who did not get a bag may stop at the library and pick up one.

To participate in the scavenger hunt, patrons may pick up a list at the library. "Hop in your car or take a walk around town and see if you can find 15 of the 20 items on the scavenger hunt list," said a library official. "Return the completed list to the library to receive a special treat.

Throughout the summer, residents are invited to send the Clearwater Public Library a picture of themselves and their pet. They should include the pet's name or a fact about the pet in the picture. Pictures may be sent to the library's social media accounts, website or via email to [email protected]. Photos will be shared on social media accounts.

Live programs will also be hosted throughout the summer. The first program will be July 7 at 10:30 a.m. The program will feature Automated Dairy "Marvelous Moo-ers," where participants will learn about life as a dairy producer.

Have you ever wondered how dogs live in shelters? What is it like to work in an animal shelter? Come to the Norfolk Animal Shelter's Super Shelter Animals program, July 12, at 10:30 a.m., will provide some answers.

Norfolk Game and Parks will host their Scales and Tales program, July 19, at 10:30 a.m., where the Game and Parks representatives will be talking about favorite their scaly friends.

The last scheduled program, which includes man's best friend, is set to happen on July 23, at 10:30 a.m. Katie's Comfort Dogs representatives will be talking about, and perhaps bringing some, comfort dogs to educate the public on the safety, importance and fun of comfort dogs.

The last program that currently does not have a date, is Elizabeth Odell's "great goats." In this program, Odell will talk about life with her goats and how she makes goat soap.