HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Families attended a block party at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library to celebrate the start of the summer reading program. This year’s theme is Unearth a Story, with the library redecorated to transport readers back to the Jurassic era.

During the kickoff party on May 30, dinosaurs were roaming around, there was free facepainting, food trucks, games, and prizes were raffled. Plus, the first 100 kids received a special activity book. Families also had a chance to learn more about library programs and get signed up for summer reading.

Man and children assemble large gray foam gears on a carpet in a classroom during a maker activity.
Group of kids and adults in a brick-walled room with dinosaur window decals; some sit, others stand using phones.
People staff an activity table at a library, with white boxes labeled with yellow stars arranged in a row on the table and children in the background.
Display of children's dinosaur books with a banner reading 'DINO-MITE READS' and several colorful titles on a wooden table; blurred shoppers in the background.
Library scene where a staff member paints a boy's face at a table in front of bookshelves.
Family members gently touch a large orange dinosaur statue inside a bright, brick-walled lobby. The scene looks like a museum or children's center.
Children sit on a blue tarp around a sand-table, playing with sand; two girls have colorful face paint.
Three children interact with a tall colorful LED light panel mounted on a brick wall.
Two young boys pose with a life-size orange dinosaur mascot in a library, with bookshelves in the background and an adult nearby.
Group of children and adults playing with oversized foam skeleton pieces in a brick-walled indoor space, supervised by adults.
Colorful dinosaur-themed banner with a skeleton dinosaur and jungle leaves hanging in a room by windows.

Through July, kids and teens can log books that they have read, which gives them a chance to win prizes at the library. More themed events to encourage summer reading will be held over the summer, with a time capsule burial coming up on June 6.

Some other fun and free activities to catch at the library this summer include themed movie nights, a magic show, a didgeridoo concert, a dino tea party ending with a finale “Mess-tival” event on July 18. Find a full schedule of events and sign up for summer reading on the HCCPL website or in person at the library.

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