The Fairhope Public Library will kick off its annual Summer Reading Program with a community event June 3 featuring activities, giveaways and information about the library's summer offerings for children and teens.
The Summer Reading Kickoff Event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. outside the Fairhope Public Library at 501 Fairhope Ave.

This year's summer reading theme, "Unearth a Story," centers on dinosaurs and archaeological discoveries. Throughout the summer, the library's Youth Services Department will encourage children and teens to track their reading and submit reading logs to earn prizes.

One of the program's grand prizes will be an ice cream party at Mr. Gene's Beans with Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan.

During the kickoff event, attendees can pick up goodie bags containing reading logs and calendars of upcoming summer activities. The event also will feature local organizations, face painting and additional family-friendly activities designed to prepare participants for a summer of library programming.

If rain occurs, the event will move indoors to the library's Giddens Auditorium at the same time and date with a reduced-scale format.

Library officials said the event is open to all ages.

The Fairhope Public Library serves approximately 160,000 visitors each year and provides an estimated $5.9 million in value to the community. Its mission is to provide equal access to information while supporting the intellectual, cultural, educational and recreational life of the Fairhope community.

The library has operated since 1900 when it was established in the home of Marie Howland through voluntary membership fees and community tax funds collected by the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation.

More information about the library, the Summer Reading Program and upcoming events is available at https://fairhopelibrary.org.