The Charles W. Gibson Public Library is inviting readers of all ages to join in the fun this summer with its 2025 Summer Reading Program, themed “Color Our World.”
Designed to celebrate the joy of reading while encouraging creativity and connection through crafting, the program aims to keep patrons engaged all summer long.
“This year’s theme is about more than just books; it’s about finding joy in reading and using our creativity to brighten the world around us,” said Catherine Norko, library director. “We’ve developed age-specific reading logs and programs so everyone, from our youngest readers to adults, has something to look forward to.”
The library’s weekly events are broken into four age groups:
- Summer Storytime (Ages birth-6) takes place every Wednesday at 10 a.m., offering stories and hands-on activities to help the youngest readers beat summer boredom.
- Boredom Busters (Ages 6-12) meets Fridays at 10 a.m., featuring a new activity each week — no registration required, except for the special event on July 25.
- Teen Scene (Ages 13-18) gathers Fridays at 4 p.m., providing a welcoming space for teens to hang out, craft, game, or just chill. “Whether you’re into games, crafts, music, or just chilling out, this is your space. Make it yours,” Norko said.
- Crafty Creatives (Adults 18+) will be held June 23, July 7, and July 21 at 2 p.m. These hands-on crafting sessions are designed for adults and require registration in advance.
A highlight of this year’s program is the return of the interactive storytelling adventure, The Enchanted Island, written by the library’s readers themselves.
“We’re bringing back our ‘Choose Your Adventure’ story, this time featuring the adventures of Captain Finn and Pirate Pete,” said Norko. “Young readers can stop by each week in June and July to vote on what happens next in the story.”
The library encourages community members to drop by, pick up a reading log, and get involved.
“We want to reward readers for continuing to read all summer long while giving them something fun and creative to look forward to each week,” Norko said.
For more information, call 304-472-2339 or visit charlesgibson.wvlibrary.info.
