Hughesville Library director Lana Carichner is handing out fresh vegetables to youngsters, Keegan Haught and Hailey Myers during their "Salad Days Summer picnic" program last Wednesday morning. The vegetables (tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers) were grown in planter boxes located on the front lawn of the library.

HUGHESVILLE – Even though there are several weeks of summer weather still ahead the Hughesville Area Public Library is a “cool” place to relax, browse, read, and study, to fill summer leisure time.

Last Wednesday, August 7 was a planned Harvest Day when young readers came to the library to enjoy a “Summer Salad Picnic” from 10:30 to noon. Director Lana Carichner said she grew tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in large planter boxes on the front lawn of the library. Parents came in to help cut up the vegetables and serve them to the children after they read a story and recorded their summer reading logs so they could claim a prize. After their garden picnic, children also enjoyed making a craft.

Hailey Myers, age 9 from Hughesville, said she liked eating the fresh vegetables. “I’m a salad person, but not everybody likes salad,” she said. “I like to put meat into mine like steak or chicken. My grandparents grew a garden.” Her mother, Amy Myers said that she likes to come here to the library to participate in the various activities. “They have great opportunities here for the kids,” she said.

“I like cucumbers and lettuce, but no tomatoes or peppers,” said Eric Swisher. “I like cucumbers, but I don’t like salads,” added Joe Ragan.

Over 85 students in pre-school through 6th grade have been finding lots of great reading material focused on the theme “Dig into Reading” according to Carichner. “Garden and animal diggers were the main theme this year,” she added. Friday’s pre-school story hour included a book for kids about animals and plants that live underground.

Jayden Stugart, age 9, said he enjoyed making an animal booklet with a groundhog, hedgehog, earthworm and a skunk. Jennifer Buck, a teacher at Hughesville High School, facilitated the program on Wednesday and talked about the various things that live and burrow underground. She read “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter to the children and they talked about the various animals such as the chipmunk.

“We have been averaging about 15 to 20 kids per session,” said Carichner. The parents like to come and help too. John Haught said he comes frequently and brings his grandson, Keegan.

Emily Henderson said she likes to read. “I read all the time for fun, and I get a lot of my books from the libraries.”

This week children will be making some tie dye tee shirts, and two weeks ago they planted wheat grass to take home for their cats. “We had to cut the cat hairs,” said Jayden.

High school summer readers celebrated with “Shark Week” with some fun treats on Monday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. They examined what lies “beneath the surface” of the seas. “There is still one more iTunes gift card that will be awarded to a summer reader, so visit the library to see how you can be eligible for that prize,” said Carichner.

After each program, children get to choose a free book from a large box that Carichner has collected over the months. The library also provides snacks and beverages during each session.

The last event for elementary summer readers will be “Crafternoon” on Wednesday, August 14 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Be sure to register at the library or by calling 584-3762 for this event, and bring your own t-shirt for tie-dying. Ask a librarian if you have any questions.

There is still time to bring in reading logs from the summer. Prizes will be available through August 20.

When visiting the library a new mural has been painted by Ms. Lisa Ammar-Khodja in the children’s wing. “Her artwork makes a great addition to that space and will be enjoyed by everyone for a long time to come,” said Nancy Hodge who works at the library.

Non-profit organizations are encouraged to sign-up for use of the library’s Community Room for the autumn and winter months. Call the library to schedule meetings in a convenient, comfortable setting that is handicapped accessible. The library has free Wi-Fi, public access computers, a fax machine, photocopier, and hundreds of dvd’s that may be borrowed with a library card.