The Quincy Public Library kicked off summer with the Annual Summer Reading Kick-off Saturday, May 30th. Although the skies were dark the morning of Kickoff, nothing could damper the spirits of library patrons, who came in droves to enjoy free food, activities, and entertainment. As the sun began to shine in the sky, over 2,500 patrons arrived at the library to in order to pick up their summer reading logs and get a jump on their summer reading. Ben Marth of WGEM radio emceed the event, encouraging all patrons to not only take advantage of the free Kick-off activities, but to remember to participate in all summer activities. Every activity and event was packed, and 1,500 children’s reading packets, 300 Teen logs and 500 adult logs were distributed.
The Summer Reading Kick-off Party included favorite activities such as a bounce house, face painting, and a University of Illinois-sponsored food craft, but also featured new activities such as a petting zoo complete with camels, llamas, fainting goats, miniature horses, and a baby reindeer. The entertainment stage, located on Sixth Street, was host to a local baton-twirling troupe, the Twirl Girls, at 11:00 and the local musicians of RagTag at 1:00. Chris Camp the Whip Guy encouraged patrons to get crackin’ on their summer reading during his dangerously entertaining demonstration of bullwhip tricks at high noon.
Not to be outdone, the Teen Advisory Board also unveiled a puppet show written and performed by six members of the group showcasing Leo the Library Lion and his little lion cub, Lennie. The show was so popular that an additional show had to be added to the roster. Overall, this was the most successful Summer Reading Kick-off Party to date with an increase of over 600 patrons from last year.
A big thank you goes out to all members of the staff who either worked or support
ed this huge effort, and to our TAB volunteers. Library staff members have worked hard over the last several weeks to prepare for the kick-off by putting together packets, cutting out crafts, and preparing logs. Front-line staff handled the overwhelming crowd on kick-off day with grace and poise, and the maintenance crew came through once again attending to the overwhelming needs that accompany 2,500 people! Over 30 teens, some who have already graduated with a year of college under their belts, joined us on Saturday morning to pop popcorn, paint faces, construct crafts, man the bounce house and assist with the performers. The library was a sea of red; bearing witness to the fulfillment of our mission statement to promote volunteerism in our community. These young people made the library shine! We hope that this is only the beginning of a very successful summer!
The Summer Reading Kick-off Party included favorite activities such as a bounce house, face painting, and a University of Illinois-sponsored food craft, but also featured new activities such as a petting zoo complete with camels, llamas, fainting goats, miniature horses, and a baby reindeer. The entertainment stage, located on Sixth Street, was host to a local baton-twirling troupe, the Twirl Girls, at 11:00 and the local musicians of RagTag at 1:00. Chris Camp the Whip Guy encouraged patrons to get crackin’ on their summer reading during his dangerously entertaining demonstration of bullwhip tricks at high noon.Not to be outdone, the Teen Advisory Board also unveiled a puppet show written and performed by six members of the group showcasing Leo the Library Lion and his little lion cub, Lennie. The show was so popular that an additional show had to be added to the roster. Overall, this was the most successful Summer Reading Kick-off Party to date with an increase of over 600 patrons from last year.
A big thank you goes out to all members of the staff who either worked or support
ed this huge effort, and to our TAB volunteers. Library staff members have worked hard over the last several weeks to prepare for the kick-off by putting together packets, cutting out crafts, and preparing logs. Front-line staff handled the overwhelming crowd on kick-off day with grace and poise, and the maintenance crew came through once again attending to the overwhelming needs that accompany 2,500 people! Over 30 teens, some who have already graduated with a year of college under their belts, joined us on Saturday morning to pop popcorn, paint faces, construct crafts, man the bounce house and assist with the performers. The library was a sea of red; bearing witness to the fulfillment of our mission statement to promote volunteerism in our community. These young people made the library shine! We hope that this is only the beginning of a very successful summer! 
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