DANVILLE – Little bookworms have a lot to look forward to at the Danville Public Library this year. 

The Mount Vernon News caught up with Sean Smith, Danville Public Library branch manager, to find out what the library has on the calendar this summer.

Summer Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program is slated to kick off on June 1 and run through June 30. Families can start signing up the last week of May but are welcome to join in at any point in June.

Smith said this year's theme is "Tails and Tales," and the program will offer lots of gifts and prizes to encourage putting away tablets, cell phones and electronics and diving into a book instead.

"We have sign-up incentives, weekly drawings and special grand-prize opportunities for those who participate," he said.

1KB4K Program

This acronym stands for "one thousand before kindergarten," and it means exactly that: a program to encourage parents to read one thousand books to their young child before they are of kindergarten age. 

Smith explained that reading to children in the early years is proven to be beneficial to their development. 

"Studies show that children who are read to have a huge advantage going into school over those that don't have that opportunity," he said.

Other programs

The library wants to help families get engaged during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, whether by getting outdoors and stretching their legs or staying inside and flexing their minds instead. 

Smith said the library will host games from 2–3 p.m. every Saturday in June at Danville Memorial Park. 

"[We want] to help kids socialize and get out of the house in a safe, socially distanced way," he explained. 

For rainy days or families who aren't quite ready to get outdoors yet, virtual programs are also available through the library's website. 

The library is available to help kids with schoolwork too.

"At Danville, we also have resources to help kids who are feeling a little lost with their schoolwork during remote learning," Smith said. "We have books on about every subject, access to internet tutorials and a really smart staff that will do its best to help with any questions you might have."

Resources for all ages

Adults are encouraged to utilize the library this summer as well. 

DPL offers a number of resources online, including free courses, genealogy programs, free movie and television downloads, foreign language classes and other entertainment or educational opportunities. 

To learn more about any of the library's programs, visit knox.net/danville-public-library.html or give the staff a call at 740-599-2665.