Story hour brings zoo animals to library

The Shackelford County Library’s annual summer story hour continues every Tuesday through the end of June, offering children a fun and educational opportunity to explore the world of animals through stories, crafts, and live demonstrations.

Also underway is the library’s Summer Reading Program, with free pizza available for those who complete the reading goals for their age group, with ages all the way through high school. The program ends July 31.

Reading cards should be picked up from the library, and only physical books checked out from the library count towards the reading goals.

This year’s Tuesday Story Hour theme features a different animal guest each week from the Abilene Zoo and a coordinating craft led by staff from the Old Jail Art Center.

More than 80 children were on hand this week, with zoo personnel bringing a Chihuahuan raven, a turtle and a armadillo.

Story time begins at 10 a.m. and lasts one hour. The weekly book will feature one of the animals brought from the zoo. Children will listen to the story, meet the live animals, and make an animal-themed craft.

Meg Walser, who is organizing the events along with librarian Sharla Mitchell, said the program fosters early literacy and helps young children feel at home in the library setting.

The weekly event is open to all children in the community. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and no preregistration is required.

For more information, contact the library at 325-260-3857 or check the Shackelford County Library Facebook page.