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Adventure Begins at the Pine Grove Library

Children Partake in Summer Reading Program

By Shelley Hanson - Staff Writer | Jul 31, 2024

(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Karleigh Stackpole, 9, makes a giant colorful soap bubble during the Pine Grove Public Library’s summer reading program kickoff on July 22. This year’s theme was Adventure Begins at the Library. Karleigh is the daughter of Krista Stackpole of Pine Grove.

PINE GROVE – About 15 children and their families celebrated the kick off of a week-long summer reading program hosted by the Pine Grove Public Library.

The children got to create a whimsical craft, make giant soap bubbles, hear a story and eat a snack during the July 22 event held at the nearby Victory Center hall.

“We try to do a summer reading program every year, usually the last week of July,” said Missy Ensinger, librarian at the Pine Grove Public Library.

This year’s theme was “Adventure Begins at the Library.” The final day of the program was a fun, water-filled day at the Byrd Center.

“We have bubbles, squirt guns and Slip n Slides, sprinklers – all kinds of fun stuff,” she said.

Ensinger believes the summer reading program is important because it teaches youth the joy of reading, and it exposes them to the library and what it has to offer.

“Especially considering that everything is available online. I’ve had teenagers come in and say, ‘Is this your store?” she said, adding she then explains the process of getting a free library card so they can borrow books.

The cards can be used at most libraries across the state of West Virginia. The cards also include access to free online reading materials including books, magazines and more.

Ensinger added the library also hosts a story hour at noon each Saturday that includes a craft, story and snack. The story hours are open to children of all ages.

The library also hosts programs for teenagers, such as the free Dungeons and Dragons group. The teens often receive a pizza snack during their time there. For senior citizens, the library does a program at the Byrd Center that includes a craft.

The library also offers GED testing, wireless internet access and computers.

“We try to offer programs for everybody,” she said.

The library’s hours of operations are noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sundays.

The library offers meeting space to groups or clubs that need to gather before or after regular operating hours. For example, a Weight Watchers club meets there on Monday evenings.