Families searching for summer activities in Grant County will be able to find a variety of options at the Bayard Public Library and Silver City Public Library. Both libraries are kicking off their summer reading programs in June. The Bayard Public Library summer reading program will run from June 1 through June 30, Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:00am-12:00pm each day. The Silver City Public Library program will run from June 8 through July 22, with a final grand prize party on Friday, July 29. Community members can sign up to track their reading and win prizes during the summer, and they can attend a wide range of different activities for all ages.
The Bayard Public Library will host a special performance by storyteller Indiana Bones, Keeper of Legends on Tuesday, June 7, 10:00am. Indiana Bones will then visit the Silver City Public Library on Wednesday, June 8, 10:30am to officially kick off their summer reading program. Indiana Bones (aka Mike McCartney) is an Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and performing artist. Now a full-time professional storyteller, he has been a PBS documentary producer/writer, TV personality, professional actor and faculty member of Mississippi State University. Indiana combines archeology, action, adventure, and mythology, thrilling and educating his audiences with artifacts, fossils, lively puppets and a crack of his bull whip.
Other activities at the Bayard Public Library will include presentations by the Cooperative Extension Service Ideas for Cooking And Nutrition (ICAN) program and Archaeology of the Southwest. The Bayard Public Library is also sponsoring a BMX bike show at the Cobre High School parking lot on Saturday, June 11 at 11:00am. Activities at the Silver City Public Library will include story times, Little Engineers (Lego and more!), board gaming, and hands-on challenges like library golf. Special guests will include the following:
- The Magic Guy, Jamie O'Hara - Wednesday, June 15, 10:30am
- Raramuri: Foot Runners of the Sierra Madre, presented by Diana Molina and sponsored by the NM Humanities Council and the NM Department of Cultural Affairs - Wednesday, June 22, 10:30am
- Andy Mason in Concert (www.andymasonmusic.org) - Wednesday, June 29, 10:30am
Families can visit each library for their full calendars of upcoming events. "Our summer reading program would not be possible without the support of the Friends of the Silver City Public Library," said Lillian Galloway, Silver City programming and outreach librarian. "Thanks to the Friends, our community partners, and volunteers, we are able to offer a robust schedule of activities for families during the summer."
The Bayard Public Library is located at 1112 Central Avenue in Bayard and is open Tuesday through Friday 8:30am-5:30pm and Saturday 9:00am-3:30pm. They can be reached at 575-537-6244 or online at facebook.com/bayardpubliclibrary. The Silver City Public Library is located at 515 W. College Avenue in Silver City and is open Monday through Thursday 9:00am-6:00pm, Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, and Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm. They can be contacted at 575-538-3672 or ref@silvercitymail.com. Silver City summer reading information is also available at silvercitypubliclibrary.wordpress.com/summer-reading-program.