Since I learned to read I remember spending summers at my local library. Last summer I spent in residency at the Drummond Island, MI Library and was inspired to create new works during a summer at a library.  My girls have been enrolled in summer reading programs since birth.  This summer was to be the first year my oldest daughter is of age to officially volunteer for the summer reading program. But that is not to be. We fully support continued closures of all public spaces during this pandemic and she will have next summer.

This got me thinking however about how all of us library-goers will get through a summer without our local library activities. Our library has a coffee shop and a used shop. We love to putter around and discover new things. I will miss bumping into displays the thoughtful librarians have pulled together because they understand readers and how our likes are complicated. But the continued closure of our local libraries won’t keep us from reading. Monday, June 1st is the kick-off of the Summer Reading program. Check out your local library online to sign up for their summer reading program. You can still borrow e-books from the library and if you can’t live without a real book call up your local book store. We have the amazing Changing Hands bookstore in Phoenix – if you don’t have a local book store order from Indie Bound online.

Happy Summer Reading! I have a pretty high stack of books I plan to get through this summer but I am always open to reading suggestions.