‘Oceans of Possibilities’ kicks off at Apalachicola library

The Apalachicola Margaret Key Public Library hosted a summer reading kick-off party on Friday, June 3, celebrating a host of new summer activities for kids and families in the library.

At the afternoon party, 40 kids were given free age-appropriate books from Bring Me A Book Franklin, along with a free bag of treats from the library. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office set up a bounce house and gave out free ice cream, while volunteer Richard Lenhart displayed a hydraulic arm, as an example of the science kits available for use in the library. 

Apalachicola resident Wayne Armstrong gave juggling lessons to kids, and the Friends of the Library organization, the Patrons of the Apalachicola Library Society (P.A.L.S.) had a bubble booth, with kids creating bubbles up to five feet in length!

To support reading goals, kids 14 and younger are invited to record the titles of at least 10 books they read this summer in a free reading log, for a trip to the library’s treasure chest of toys. In June and July, read-alouds with a free snack will be held weekly, at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Two part-time activities assistants have been hired with the financial support of P.A.L.S. to assist in daily programming. These assistants will host family-friendly activities Monday through Thursday at 2 p.m., involving the summer reading theme “Oceans of Possibilities”. This theme is being celebrated by public libraries across the state to encourage interest in libraries by showcasing them as spaces of diverse life, and possibility.

Each Wednesday in June and July, a local water-related organization, such as the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve will visit to reinforce this theme with touch-tank experiences or other educational activities.

This Friday, June 10 at 6 p.m. the library invites the community to enjoy an ocean-themed family-friendly movie and free popcorn, courtesy of P.A.L.S. The movie title and more information about how to get involved in summer activities, and/or how to support the activities of the library, can all be found at apalachicolalibrary.com.