Sidney Public Library makes reading fun

With summer vacation in full swing for area children, Sidney Public Library offers programs to keep children engaged during the summer months.

Toddler Teammates was held at the library Wednesday morning, the interactive story time brings children ages two and three together to experience interactive story time.

Eileen Nightingale, Children's Librarian, said she chooses a book, and activity helping the children learn concepts they will need in school.

"This is a good way to introduce them to the library, and give them an idea of what they will expect in school," said Nightingale, "sitting, name recognition, social iterations and counting are of the things we learn."

On Wednesday afternoon, Nightingale encouraged children to be active by organizing an "Olympics day."

Using everyday items Nightingale transformed the library into an Olympic ring, A long wood plank was used for the tight rope, painted tissue paper rolls and paper plates with holes in the center acted as the color match ring toss, and tennis rackets made with sticks and paper plates, hit the balloons over the jump rope for balloon tennis.

Fun continued into Thursday when the children meet for the weekly activity, weeks the activity is Circus in Motion.

Nightingale read Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully, a story about a young girl that helps a tight rope walker overcome his fears.

Children walk the plank tight rope, jump through the "ring of fire" (a hula-hoop with paper flames) and make a clown to take home out of paper plates.

"I rotate the age group for the activity on Thursday's," Nightingale said, "My hope is that if the activity is geared to their age level they will be more engaged."

Thursdays have a rotating activity for different age groups, typically at 10 and 11:15 a.m.

For a complete calender of events visit sidneypubliclibrary.org or call 308-254-3110.