Blast off for summer reading adventure; Shows, programs at area libraries.

Byline: Bonnie Russell

Youngsters on planet Earth locations of Leicester, Spencer and the Brookfields may look into the mystery of outer space by traveling no farther than the local library.

This year's summer reading program, "Starship Adventure at Your Library," is being held at many area libraries.

Registration for the summer reading program began June 22 at most libraries, but kids can register throughout the summer.

The program includes a six-week period when children register at their local library, set a goal for themselves on how many minutes they will read every day and then record their time on a log.

Rules may vary slightly, depending on individual library policy, but usually children will be asked to bring their logs to the library weekly for verification.

At the East Brookfield Public Library, 101 Mechanic St., weekly space-themed programs will run July 6 through Aug. 10.

Family nights start at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays. On Tuesdays, the Library Looks letterboxing club will meet at 2 p.m., and the book club for teens 13 and older will meet at 3 p.m. Summer story time for children 2-5 will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays and at 1:30 p.m. for children in kindergarten through Grade 3. The Tween Book Talk, for youths 11 and 12, takes place at 2:30 p.m.

Highlights of this year's program include "Go for the Stars," with Gary Pozzato and Robo, the friendly robot at 6:30 p.m. July 14, and "Night Sky-Campfires of our Grandfathers," with Charlene Joubert, a Native American storyteller at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3. For more information, call [phone].

The Richard Sugden Library, 8 Pleasant St., Spencer, launches Starship Adventure with a Blast-Off block party 10 a.m.-2 p.m June 27. There will be live music with Chuck and Mud 11 a.m.-noon and accordion music by Something Different noon-1 p.m. There will also be face painting, a bookmark craft, a bubble table, music makers, a bake sale and the annual book sale.

All summer reading participants are invited to the finale at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 featuring a make-your-own-sundae party at which the Pumpernickel Puppets will perform.

In between, a number of programs will be held for all ages, some requiring registration and others drop in. For a complete list, visit or call the library at [phone] or visit www.spencerpubliclibrary.org.

At Merriam-Gilbert Public Library, 3 West Main St., West Brookfield, registration for the summer reading program blasts off 4:30-6:30 p.m. July 7 for grades 1-6. Then at 6:30 p.m. families are invited to "Constellation of Songs," an interactive musical performance, with a journey to the moon presented by Roger Tincknell.

A few of the featured programs include Wingmasters: North American Birds of Prey for ages 6 and older, 6:30 p.m. July 14 and a Starship Adventure in stories, tales and songs for families presented by Tim Van Egmond 6:30 p.m. July 28. A Summer Reading Finale, an Intergalactic Ice Cream Party and Truck Day will be held 3-4:30 p.m. Aug. 18. For a complete list of programs or to register, visit the library, call [phone] or visit www.wbrookfieldlibrary.org.

Other local libraries include Leicester Public Library, 1136 Main St., Leicester, [phone]; Merrick Public Library, 2 Lincoln St., Brookfield, [phone] and Haston Free Public Library, 161 North Main St., North Brookfield, [phone]. For information on summer programs at these libraries, contact the libraries.

ART: PHOTO

PHOTOG: T&G File Photo/RICK CINCLAIR

CUTLINE: Julie Anne Collier will bring her Wingmasters presentation, featuring a red-tailed hawk, above, and other birds of prey July 14 to the Merriam-Gilbert Public Library in West Brookfield.