Blackmur Kicks Off Summer Library Program
Library Assistant Sara Williams with the winners of the first ever Blackmur Library Olympics – Charlotte Vance and Kalaysia Freeman. Kalaysia made it through several rounds of the book stacking competition to emerge the winner while Charlotte walked the library’s book shelf “maze” in the shortest time while balancing a book on her head.
Blackmur Library kicked off its Summer Library Program with a bang Wednesday, June 5. The theme for the first week was Percy Jackson and Greek Mythology. Kids learned about the fictional teenaged hero Percy Jackson from the series of young adult books by Rick Riordan and Percy’s connection to the ancient Greek myths.
Kalaysia Freeman and Link Dudley (right photo) compete in the first round of the book stacking competition as part of the first ever Blackmur Library Olympics. Kalaysia went through three rounds to finally win the contest.
In the books, the young hero faces off with many of the foes faced by his name-sake Perseus in ancient Greek legends such as Medusa. In the legend, Perseus used the reflective surface inside of his shield to fight Medusa so he wouldn’t be turned into stone. The kids made their own shield out of cardboard and decorated them using many of the symbols that represented the ancient Greek heroes.
In addition, the kids learned about the ancient Greek origins of the Olympics and participated in the first ever Blackmur Library Olympics. They competed in two different categories – book stacking and navigating the library’s “maze” of book shelves (taken from the legend of the Minotaur) while balancing a book on their heads – with the winners each receiving a medal.
At the end of the competitions, two winners for each even were recognized. Kalaysia Freeman won the book stacking competition while Charlotte Vance won the maze competition.
Immediately after the program, the library had story time and a sing-a-long for younger children. Librarian Joseph Gurner did a sing-a-long and library assistants Debra Maynor and Sara Williams each read stories for the little one.
The Summer Library Program will continue each Wednesday in June from 2-3 p.m. for children ages 7-12 with story time following at 3 p.m. Registration is required for ages 7-12, but no registration is necessary for story time. Come by the library Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to register.
If you have any questions, please contact the library at (662)473-2444 or blackmurlibrary@gmail.com.
Library Assistant Debra Maynor reads A Dragon on the Doorstep by Stella Blackstone during story time. Each week after the program for the older kids, the library will have a sing-a-long and story time for the younger children.
