The Pembroke Library is gearing up for a summer of fun. Library Manager Paul Weinberger recently announced that the library was awarded a $700 grant from the Libri Foundation, with the Friends of the Library donating a matching $350 to the grant, for over $1000 to purchase new children’s books for the North Bryan branch.

According to their website the Libri Foundation was established in 1989 for the sole purpose of helping rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children’s books they could not otherwise afford to buy. The Foundation supports the concept that children who learn to enjoy reading at an early age continue to read throughout their lives. In order to develop a love of reading, children must have access to books which stretch their imaginations, touch their emotions, and expand their horizons.

For many children in rural areas, the local public library is often their primary source of reading material. Through the grant the local librarian, familiar with the needs of the library and the community, selects the books the library will receive from the Foundation’s 700-title booklist, which has been highly praised by participating librarians for the quality and variety of fiction and nonfiction titles offered. The majority of books have been published within the last three years, but old favorites are also offered. All of the books have been highly recommended by recognized authorities in the library and education fields.

The new books are not the only exciting news from the Pembroke Library; Weinberger has also released the schedule of events for the library’s much anticipated Summer Reading Program.

This summer’s theme is "Catch the Reading Bug!" The Summer Reading Program begins May 27 and ends on July 26. There will be arts and crafts on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the library and live performances for children of all ages on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at BCES. The performance schedule is as follows: June 4, Sean Driscoll- Storyteller for the Ages; June 11, Donna Washington - Stories and more; June 18, Bob Linsmayer - Songs and Stories; June 25, Ron Anglin - Juggling You Won’t Believe; and July 9, Chad Crews - Truly Magic.

All library Summer Reading programs are free and open to the public. Children can also sign up for the book reading club and receive prizes for reading. The summer fun comes to a close with an end of summer bash.

The Pembroke Library Summer Reading Program is made possible through support of the Georgia Public Library Service, the Canoochee Electric Cooperative, Family Connections of Bryan County, Friends of the Pembroke Library, Heritage Bank, the Pembroke Telephone Company, the Pembroke Public Library and the Bryan County Board of Education.

For more information on the Summer Reading Program or other programs at the Pembroke Library, call 653-2822. The Pembroke Public Library is located at 1018 Camelia Drive, near Bryan County High School.