LEXINGTON, Ky. — School’s out and parents may be looking for ways to entertain and educate their kids during the summer. The Lexington Public Library may have just what they are looking for with its Summer at the Library program.
The library kicked off the program at the eastside branch Wednesday, June 7 with live animals. With her mom Chelsea by her side, a future kindergartener, Addy Douglass is joining the fun at the Lexington Public Library for the first time this summer.
The Douglass family are regulars not just at the summer program but for other family-friendly events that library sponsors to get kids reading, writing or even playing with animals.
Douglass says she and her family visit one of the library’s seven locations throughout the year.
She says the trips have helped her daughter become her own decision maker and says Addy is now willing to give new experiences a try.
“I think it’s really helped her development, but we love to go to all of these all throughout the summer,” Douglass said.
Lexington Public Library’s Anne Donworth says getting kids and families engaged and learning during seasonal breaks is what the library strives to do every year. Donworth believes the library should encourage growth and development during time away from school in meaningful and equally accessible ways.
“Some kids are going to educational places. They might be going to summer camp, tutoring, going to museums. Those things all cost money,” Donworth explained. “What we wanna make sure of is that all kids have other learning opportunities.”
Donworth says the library is even making it a point to plan special transportation services with Lextran—Lexington’s public transportation system—to help families who want to join the fun.
Douglass says the library makes breaks from school fun. She says it shows how the library recognizes Lexingtons’ needs for the youth in the city.
“They really care about the kids. They want them to get involved and just have a good summer,” Douglass pointed out.
To learn more about the Summer at the Library program or to see the full list of featured events, you can go to the Lexington Public Library’s website.