BRISTOL LIBRARY

505 W. Vistula St., P.O. Box 789, 848-7458, Fax 848-4391, www.youseemore.com/bristolwash

Summer programs at Bristol Public Library: Sign up to be part of the summer reading team. Preschoolers, elementary, junior high, high school or adult — there is a program designed just for you. Reminder: The adult/teen program ends July 9. “Go Bananas with Books” with Joan Girton is at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Girton blends story telling with reading, crafts and charts. “Stack It Up Big” with Mr. Jim will be at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. An interactive program for kids of all ages, it creates fun, competition and excitement. Even parents can get in on this event. Teens, come and create your own dreamcatcher at 6 p.m. Thursday. Also talk about plans for programs in July and help to guide and give direction for the teens.

Interested in getting help with the computer? Sign up for computer classes at the circulation desk.

The annual Homecoming book sale will run from July 5-7 during regular library hours. Donations of books, magazines, videos, DVDs, CDs, etc., are still being accepted.

Calling All Crafters, 6 p.m. Tuesday. Bring your current project. If you don’t have one, come and learn a new craft or two. The club meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month to work on their crafts in the library. Call for more information.

Book club, noon July 11. Selection: “The Accidental Billionaires” by Ben Mezrich. This is the story of the founding of Facebook.

The library is raffling a Bristol Library book bag that has been personally signed by Jim Davis, creator of the lasagna-loving cat, Garfield. Tickets may be purchased at the circulation desk for $1 per ticket, or $5 for 6 tickets. The winner will be drawn July 7.

Reading marathon, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 11. Help the Bristol Food Pantry. Gather sponsors for a day of reading in the library. All proceeds will be donated to the local food pantry. Sponsors may pay for 30 minutes, one hour or more.

Quilt raffle: The Friends of the Library have received a “happy quilt” donated by Charlene Potterbaum. Tickets are on sale now, with the drawing on July 9 during the Homecoming book sale. Tickets are $1 a chance or six chances for $5. Stop by the library to see the quilt and get tickets.

Soul Ink will not meet July 4. The writers group meets the first and third Wednesday of each month. Contact Desiree for more information.

The Friends of the Library sponsors a book sale room open during regular library hours. Stop by and take home some books, movies, CDs, magazines or other goodies.

The library could use some extra hands to help with different jobs. It may be any one of a variety of things that need to be done, or help with crafts, games and other programs. If you have a desire to donate a little time to a worthwhile cause, consider volunteering. Call for more information.

CASS DISTRICT LIBRARY

319 M-62 N., Cassopolis, MI 49031, 269-445-3400, cass.lib.mi.us

The Dream Big — Read! summer reading club at all Cass District libraries is open to all ages, with reading incentives and drawings taking place throughout the summer. There will be craft days at which kids can create their own tie-dye pillowcases, pajamarama parties, story hours, live animal programs, puppet shows and much more. All of the programs are free and open to the public. Stop by your local Cass District library and pick up a complete calendar of events or visit the website.

Pajama Jam Comedy Show, 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Edwardsburg Branch, 26745 Church St. Presented by Joel Tacey, it will tickle your funny bone. Featuring comedy, magic, juggling and big surprises, this interactive show brings classic and creative children’s books to life. While optional, everyone is encouraged to wear pajamas or bring their favorite stuffed animal to the show.

CONSTANTINE TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

165 W. Second St., 269-435-7957, Fax 269-435-5800, constantine.michlibrary.org

Dream Big — Read! schedule: Tuesday movie days, 1 p.m. Tuesday and July 3, 10 and 17. Call or stop in for movie titles.

Craft/activity days, 10 a.m. Wednesday and July 5, 11 and 18. Special family programs, 2 p.m. Friday, “Kalamazoo Nature Center — While You Dream, Who Is Up in the Sky?”; 1 p.m. July 9, “Sport Cup Stacking with Jim Merrills.”

Summer reading photo contest, “From Dawn to Dusk” entry deadline is July 10. Prizes awarded. Must be age 17 or older and signed up for summer reading at the library to enter. Pick up entry forms at the circulation desk.

Computer classes: One-to-one basic skill sessions during regular library hours based on staff availability. Call for more information.

Dads and Donuts: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Kids, bring your dads to decorate and devour a delectable donut.

Root beer float day, 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 18.

The library is closed Sundays throughout the summer.

ELKHART PUBLIC LIBRARY

www.myepl.org

Family story time at Wellfield Botanic Gardens, all ages, 2 p.m. July 5 and Aug. 2. Rain dates will be July 6 and Aug. 3.

Summer reading 2012 at all Elkhart Public Library locations: Kids, grab your pillow and blanket and prepare for EPL’s summer reading program, Dream Big — Read! All activities are free and open to the public. Stop in and pick up a flyer of summer events or go to the website and click on Library Events Calendar. Sign up with a reading goal to read for prizes. Teens who would like to “Own the Night” are invited to come and read for prizes as well as take part in programs offered throughout the summer. Adults can “Read Between the Covers” during the adult summer reading program. This program is open to adults ages 18 and older at all locations.

Read Away the Fines: Many are taking advantage of this great program; don’t miss out on your opportunity. Times are tough and paying off those overdue charges at the library is hard. The Elkhart Public Library wants to encourage children and teens to read. One way to do this is help them read down their overdue fines. This program allows children and teens, kindergarten through age 17, to read in the library in 15-minute increments for 50 cents off their overdue fine charges. This program is available at all locations.

MAIN LIBRARY

300 S. Second St., 522-BOOK

Movie dates and times: 5:30 p.m. July 11, 6 p.m. July 18, 5:30 p.m. July 25. Please call 522-2665 for more information.

Everyone is welcome to the Friends of the Library monthly meeting, 6 p.m. July 18 at the Main Library. All are welcome.

YOUNG PEOPLE SERVICES PROGRAMMING

Night Images photography contest, ages 12-18, during June.

Wishin’ & Dreamin’, ages 7-14, 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Summer time story time, ages 2-6, 10 a.m. Thursday.

CLEVELAND BRANCH

53715 C.R. 1, Elkhart, 266-2030

Computer tutor one-on-one at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

DUNLAP BRANCH

58485 C.R. 13, 875-3100

Ronald McDonald, all ages, 3 p.m. Monday.

Early Elkhart County, ages 6-12, 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Story time, ages 2-6, 10 a.m. Thursday.

Tie-dye, ages 12-18, 3 p.m. July 10.

OSOLO BRANCH

3429 E. Bristol, Elkhart, 264-7234

Story time, ages 2-6, 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Bats, ages 6 years and older, 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Star reader Kevin Beveridge, all ages, 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Wii gaming for teens, ages 12-18, 4 p.m. July 10.

PIERRE MORAN BRANCH

2400 Benham, Elkhart, 294-6418

All Day, All Summer Boredom Box, all ages.

Lap sit, ages infant-24 months, 10 a.m. Monday.

Summer story time, ages 2-6, 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Computer tutor one-on-one, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Worms Age My Garbage, ages 5-12, 11 a.m. Thursday.

Make a Duct Tape Rose, ages 10-18, 3 p.m. July 5.

BOOKMOBILE

300 S. Second St. Elkhart, 294-2619

GOSHEN LIBRARY

601 S. Fifth St., 533-9531, Children’s Department, 537-0241, www.goshenpl.lib.in.us

Storytime Express! Ages 2-5, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star ... starry stories this week. Enjoy finger plays, rhymes, songs and a coloring activity. This program is free.

Light Up Your Night: READ! The 2012 summer reading program for children runs through July 30. All ages through grade 5 may sign up for this exciting summer reading adventure at the children’s desk. Children may read themselves or be read to and win great prizes throughout the summer. Watch for Funday Monday events in June and special weekly Make It, Take It craft projects in July. Contact the children’s department at 537-0241 for more details..

Around the World in 50 Days: The 2012 teen summer reading experience features events highlighting cultures found in this diverse community. Explore Peruvian music, Vietnamese food, Irish castles and Gaelic language, Latin dancing, Maasai clothing and jewelry, Ukrainian egg painting and so much more. There are lots of terrific prizes for reading great books, too. The program runs through July 14.

Me, Myself, and I writing contest for teens. What makes you unique? How do you see yourself as an individual? What things about you are different from your friends or family? Either in a poem, short story or free verse, share the qualities, traits and other characteristics that make you distinctively you. Submissions are due July 14. This contest is part of the teen summer reading experience 2012.

Picture Others, Discover Yourself art contest for teens. Culture (noun): The shared beliefs, customs, practices and social behavior of a particular people. Either with paints, pencils, camera, clay or whatever medium you choose, tell what makes you who you are. Submissions are due July 14; up to four pieces will be accepted. This contest is part of the teen summer reading experience 2012.

Around the World in 50 Days: A Taste Palestine, 1 p.m. Tuesday in the GPL auditorium. Explore delicious regional cuisines of Palestine with Huda Mashhour, including tea (shai), baklava, bread (hubz) and stuffed grape leaves (wara’ enab bizet). Be sure to arrive with an empty stomach. Also learn about everyday Palestinian life and customs.

Around the World in 50 Days: Outdoor film at dusk, 8:30 p.m. Friday in the library back parking lot. What happens when you bend the rules to follow your dreams? In this British film, (starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley) a teenage girl living in London must make a choice between following the traditions of her Indian family or pursuing her dream of becoming a soccer sensation. Snacks will be served.

Around the World in 50 Days: Food Fear Factor, 2 p.m. July 2 in the GPL auditorium. What would you eat for a trophy and a prize? Be the one who makes it through all the rounds of unusual international dishes, and go home a winner. This is “Fear Factor” GPL-style. Contestants beware — this food isn’t like anything you’ve ever tasted before.

MIDDLEBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY

101 E. Winslow, 825-5601, www.mdylib.in.us

Summer reading program events for kids: Family game night, 5 to 7 p.m. Monday; nocturnal animals by Elkhart Parks Department, 1 p.m. Thursday; Native American sky lore, 1 p.m. Friday. To register call the children’s desk to register.

Self-defense class, ages 12 and older, 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Janice and Mike from Hoosier Tae Kwan Do are the instructors. Call the library to register.

Yak, Snack and Read: The next book discussion will be at 1 and 7 p.m. July 17. The Night Yak will discuss “Chomp” by Carl Hiaasen, and the Day Yak will discuss “Swamplandia” by Karen Russell. Visit the home page and click on the Yak logo for more information. Stop by the front desk to pick up the books.

NAPPANEE LIBRARY

157 N. Main St., 773-7919; Dial-A-Story information, computer access, 773-7920; www.nappanee.lib.in.us

Basic Introduction to the Internet class, 7 p.m. July 9. For those unfamiliar with surfing the Web on the second Monday of each month. Several ways to search for information on the Internet are demonstrated.

Dome Theater Presents Space Shows, children in grade school, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a cosmic experience like you’ve never seen — inside an inflatable mobile dome theater. Families and children are invited to sign up for one of 12 25-minute multimedia presentations inside this 360-degree planetarium. The breathtaking space show, narrated by Robert Redford launches visitors on a thrilling trip through space and time to explore cosmic collisions, and hypersonic impacts that drive the dynamic and continuing change of the universe. Participants can register by calling or going to the events calendar at the website.

Other July programs for school-age children include a visit from local author and planetarium educator Dayle Brown from 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 10. Students will observe, predict and model the phases of the moon as it revolves around the planet through a starry sky and model eclipses of the sun and moon. Registration is open to all children ages 6-11. Call or go to the website and click on the events calendar to register.

The Artful Quilters, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 12. This guild, for those interested in new quilting techniques, meets the second Thursday of each month. Membership is open to anyone. Bring your own projects to share, check out planned programs for the coming year and sign up for trips. Yearly dues are $15 and are used for the benefit of the guild. Those interested may attend two meetings to get acquainted before becoming members.

WAKARUSA LIBRARY

124 N. Elkhart St., 862-2465, Dial-A-Story 862-4441, www.wakarusa.lib.in.us

Book Challenge Tournament, 1:30 p.m. Thursday. This is a program for those already registered and who have read the books on which the challenge is based. Teams will compete against each other, and prizes will be awarded.

Friday is the last day to register for the summer reading club.

Preschool story hour, ages 3-5, 10:15 a.m. July 3. Participants will hear stories about stars of all shapes and sizes. Registration required.

The library will be closed July 4 in observance of the holiday.

A “Dream Big Movie,” grades K-5, 1 p.m. July 5. Feature: “Night at the Museum.” The movie is rated PG. Registration required.

Dial-A-Story: “Tim Tit Tot,” with shadings of “Rumpelstiltskin.”