Celebrate your freedom to read with one or more of these great titles releasing in the month of July:

Magic by Danielle Steel
Night and Day: an Eve Duncan novel by Iris Johansen
The Black Widow by Daniel Silva
Killer Look by Linda Fairstein
White Bone by Ridley Pearson
The Singles Game by Lauren Weisberger
Falling by Jane Green
Among the Wicked: a Kate Burkholder novel by Linda Castillo
Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty
All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank
First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Island House by Nancy Thayer
New DVDs coming out in July:
Batman vs Superman: the Dawn of Justice
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
Allegiant (from the Divergent series)
Miracles from Heaven

Our annual fund drive continues, with this year focusing on only one specific item: our furnace!

It is 56 years old and in dire need of replacement. A picture of it is shown. We are hoping to replace it with a gas-burning furnace for cleaner air and to save energy. This will also involve placing gas lines and other maintenance that will pay off in the future.

Remember – no donation is too small (or too large!) Please be as generous as you can in order to keep our library nice and warm in the years to come. Special thanks go to the following people:

Our CPL Board Property Committee: Jeanette Sherk, Gregg Dubbs, Bob McCarthy, and John Nitroy
The service and fraternal organizations of Columbia, for their continued support
Columbia businesses, for their continued support
William Splain and his co-workers at Municipal Marketing Services, for preparing and mailing the fund drive.
And, of course, all of the generous individuals who have contributed to the library thus far!

Our Community Program for July features a community favorite: Samuel Edmond. Samuel will prepare us to celebrate the 200^th anniversary (“quadrennial”) of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Our own Mount Zion A.M. E. Church, 222 South Fifth Street, is 200 years old – but has not always been at the same spot! Find out more on July 11 at 6 PM here in our Conference Room. Light refreshments available.

The Young Adult Book Club continues to meet in the Locust Street Park gazebo for the summer months. July’s selection is “An Abundance of Katherines” by John Green. “When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton’s type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact.” Will this child prodigy ever get the girl? Do you love math jokes? And what’s with a place called Gutshot, Tennessee? If you’ve read this book and would like to join in our discussion, it will be held Thursday, July 7, at 10:30 AM – Locust Street Park gazebo

Summer Reading program is now in full swing.

It’s not to late to get signed up, as you still have the entire month of July and part of August to read! This year’s theme is sports: “On Your Mark, Get Set, READ!” Summer Reading program has four levels: Read Aloud (ages four and younger), Junior (ages five to nine), Tween (ages 10 to 12), and Teen (ages 13 through 19). Thanks to Renee Christiansen for all of her hard work in scheduling and set-up (and being the Very Hungry Caterpillar!), to our presenters for their time and expertise, to Jack Gamby and the Lions Club for allowing us to use the gazebo for concerts, and of course to our sponsors: McDonald’s, Strasburg Rail Road, Country Barn, Lancaster Barnstormers, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Rita’s Ice, Leisure Lanes, Lancaster Ice Rink, the Comic Store, Bounce Kraze (formerly That Bounce House), Skyzone Trampoline Park, Refreshing Mountain Ziplines, Dutch Wonderland, and the Laser Dome. Dutch Wonderland tickets are now for Junior level only – so sorry!

“Pre-School Pals” is cancelled for July and August to allow families to attend Summer Reading Programs. It will resume in September.

Summer Reading Program Events for July:

On Tuesday, July 5, at 10 AM magician Erick Hershey will be bringing us “Bushels of Fun”.

This program, designed especially for Summer Reading 2016, features illusions involving classic games and toys – and of course there will be lots of emphasis on the joy of READING! Lots of audience participation for this event! Park School gym, 10 AM, Tuesday, July 5 – all ages.

A favorite presenter every year is Ryan Bridge, the “Bugman”.

The kids start asking in May when he will be coming! This year, it is Monday, July 11, at 10 AM – where his insects will “take their marks, get set,….CRAWL!” This year’s program features record –breaking insects – the largest, the fastest, even the creepiest! As always, attendees will have the opportunity to hold harmless LIVE bugs (if they so desire). For a preview, visit www.ryanthebugman.com. Park School gym, 10 AM, Monday, July 11- all ages.

Another favorite presenter is scheduled the day after Ryan Bridge – Jesse Rothacker and his Forgotten Friends reptiles present “Animal Olympics”.

Have you ever wondered how our lovable, cold-blooded critters stay fit? Reptiles stretch, squeeze, swim, climb, run, leap, and dig their way through the wild. It’s the ultimate competition! We’ll also introduce families to the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey, a conservation program that will help your family get active outdoors. Park School gym, 10 AM, Tuesday, July 12 – all ages

Mr. Dan Sahd, of our own Sahd’s Metal Recycling, invites school aged children and their caregivers to tour the Sahd’s Metal Recycling Facility at 10 AM on Thursday, July 14.

See giant metal scrap heaps and the huge machines that move the metal around. See how metal is crushed, weighed and baled in order to be used again. This tour is best suited for ages 6 and up – absolutely NO flip-flops, sandals, or Crocs may be worn in the facility, so make sure to wear socks and shoes or sneakers. We will meet at the Sahd’s facility on 1044 Lancaster Avenue at 10 AM on Thursday, July 14.

A new summer reading presenter this year is Tim Riggs, founder of Heads Up – a program in Lancaster City to get elementary and junior high students excited about the arts.

“Junkyard Drumming” involves students working in groups of three or four to create drumming masterpieces on ordinary objects. This program is designed for ages 8 and older – and, yes, it will get LOUD! Sorry, but this is not a program for preschoolers. Park School, 10 AM, Monday, July 18 – ages 8 to adult.

Our newest Museum Pass partner is Rock Ford in Lancaster County Park. Rock Ford will be presenting “Colonial Life of a Child” here at Park School on Tuesday, July 19.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a child during Colonial times? Learn what children of the past did for entertainment; enjoy games and more! A Colonial Toys trunk will be here so that you can try out some of the activities for yourself. Park School, 10 AM, Tuesday, July 19 – all ages.

We go to the dogs on Monday, July 25, when Al Means of Red Rose Search and Rescue K-9 unit brings his bloodhounds “Reuben” and “Chip”.

Find out how these dogs can find missing loved ones and even solve crimes with their incredible sense of smell and tracking ability. Weather permitting, a live track will be demonstrated. Park School, Monday, July 25, 10 AM – all ages.

CHS Children’s Dental Health Care has been a part of our Summer Reading programs for several years now – but this year, they have a new presenter – “Hank, the Health Hero”.

This friendly puppet will help children understand how to take good care of their teeth by brushing, flossing, and healthy eating. Write a postcard to Hank and send it to him in his special mailbox! If you have children between the ages of 5 and 9, you have already received a special kit and Dental Health Challenge from CHS in your child’s summer reading sign-up packet. Don’t forget to check out the new Children’s Dental Health Center at the corner of Locust and Fourth Street. Park School, Tuesday, July 26, 10 AM – all ages.

Summer Reading Programs in the month of July end with “Sadie” and her owner/trainer Fred Nell.

This friendly Shepherd/Lab mix is a rescue dog literally worth her weight in gold as she searches out drugs and other illegal substances. Find out exactly how Sadie differentiates different odors and her speed at finding hidden items. Visit with her owner, Fred Nell, and learn about the importance of getting an education and making smart choices. Don’t forget to take time to throw the ball and run with Sadie, as she does love her playtime! This dog is friendly to all ages of children. Thursday (note different date!), July 28, 10 AM, at Park School. For all ages.

We once again have a Scavenger Hunt throughout Columbia this summer.

You are searching for sports posters that say “On Your Mark, Get Set, READ!”. When you find a sports poster, write down the name of their business on your entry paper.

A few hints for the Scavenger Hunt (some businesses are not permitted to post on their windows)

One poster is inside a building that is a new service to Columbia that caters especially to children. It is on Locust Street
Two posters are found at Summer Food Service sites (one is visible from the library’s front steps)
One poster is located in a small business on Cherry Street near Our Lady of the Angels school.
One poster can only be seen on Fridays and Saturdays

These hints should help you to complete the hunt. Children who find all the posters at various businesses and correctly identify their location will receive a free book! Entry forms are due on August 12.

Our Reading Education Assistance Dog Spencer’s next public visit will be Tuesday, July 19, at 6 PM.

Please call 684-2255 or email lgreybill@columbia.lib.pa.us to reserve a 15 minute time slot to read to the dog. Ages 5 and older.

Mitzi Sanchez’s crochet class will be held on Tuesdays, July 12 and 26, at 6 PM. Please come out and join us – newcomers are always welcome.

Mitzi will let you know what size crochet hook you will need for your project – she does have hooks you may use in class to get you started. All you need bring is scissors – we even have donated yarn! Experienced crocheters – bring your current project!

Family Movie Night features “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” for the dog days of summer.

Event is Wednesday, July 13, at 6 PM. Non-messy snacks and drinks with a lid are fine. Film is rated PG.

“Family Fun Night at the Movies” is one week later, July 20, at 6 PM.

This program is a much more current release: “Kung Fu Panda 3” (also rated PG). A snack and drink will be provided! No registration is required and the film is geared for ages 3 through 12. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

The Columbia Public Library will be closed on Monday, July 4, in honor of Independence Day. And remember, our Saturday ours are now 8 AM to 12 noon until Labor Day.

The Columbia Public Library is located on 24 S. 6^th Street, next to Park Elementary School. (Cattycorner to CVS Pharmacy and across the street from St. John’s Lutheran Church) Phone number is 684-2255 and web address is www.columbia.lib.pa.us. Find us on Facebook! Please stop by and visit often!