Autauga, Elmore libraries launch summer reading programs for kids

As summer break begins, two local libraries are giving Autauga County families a free place to go for reading help, internet access and child-friendly activities that can keep kids learning without adding to household costs. The Millbrook Public Library at 3160 Main Street and the Autauga Prattville Public Library at 254 Doster St. are both leaning into the season with programs built around the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme, Unearth a Story.

That theme is meant to highlight discovery, and the need is real. SAIL Alabama says children from low-income families can lose two to three months of grade equivalency in math and reading each summer, a slide that can compound over time. Libraries are trying to blunt that loss by keeping children reading and engaged when school is out, especially in families that may not have extra money for camps or structured enrichment.

In Millbrook, the public library is part of the Horseshoe Bend Regional Library System and offers 18 public computers with high-speed internet and free Wi-Fi. The library also gives free memberships to residents within Millbrook city limits. Children’s librarian Angela Dewberry leads a preschool story hour every Thursday at 10 a.m., and the summer calendar adds weekly story hours, crafts, educational activities and guest presentations. Those visitors include Alabama Wildlife from Lanark, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the Alabama Department of Archives and History and local gardening experts. Children can earn extra grand-prize raffle entries by attending programs, checking out items, using take-home kits, submitting book reviews or completing a reading log, while daily prizes include keychains, fidget toys, bubbles, candy and art supplies.

At the Autauga Prattville Public Library, the summer reading season opened June 2 with a kickoff that ran from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event included colonial-days-inspired games, story time at 11 a.m. with Smokey the Bear, hot dogs from River Bank and Trust, Sweet Sips lemonade and goodie bags. The library’s summer reading program is open to children going into preschool through 6th grade, and a second reading experience is set to begin July 6 with books and activities centered on history, archaeology and dinosaurs. Director Tammy Bear has said the goal is to make learning feel fun rather than like homework.

That mix of books, games and hands-on programming gives Autauga and Elmore families a dependable place to turn as summer stretches on. Alabama Public Library Service materials for the season include posters, bookmarks, reading logs, stickers and completion certificates, all meant to keep children reading and connected until school starts again.