May 21, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Talk of the Town with Susan McKinney

Every week we ask a village official three questions. This week we talked to St. Joseph Township Librarian Susan McKinney about the summer reading program.

This post is sponsored by St. Joseph Siding and Window.

What sort of events do you have planned as part of the summer reading program?
The reading program began on June 3rd and the library had had Kim Sheahan a Professional Storyteller.  Each week of our program we offer Drop-In craft time, adult coloring time and sidewalk chalk art.

Drop-In Craft Time is on Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages three and up. The craft takes 10-15 minutes. Adult Coloring Time takes place Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and is for adults ages 18 and up. Sidewalk Chalk Art takes place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays for children ages three and up. Children can decorate our sidewalks and parking lot with their creative pictures.

We have Concerts on the lawn on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Our concert dates this summer are July 5 and July 26.  People should bring a blanket or chairs to sit on the south lawn and listen to some musical entertainment.  If it is raining, the concert is cancelled.

On July 12th will be the Summer Reading Program party from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The library will have the Mobile Scovill Zoo inside the library.  The grand prize drawing will be at 3 p.m. and we’ll have Inflatables on the south lawn 2 to 4 p.m.  This party is open to all area children.

Can people still sign up for the summer reading program?
  Yes, people can sign up for the reading program until the last day which is Saturday, July 6th.  All log sheets must be turned in by Saturday, July 6th for eligibility in the grand prize drawings.  We have a children’s program (age 3 to completed 6th grade); a teen program (completed 7th grade to completed 12th grade) and an adult program (age 18 and up after high school).


Why do you think it is so important for the library to have a summer reading program?
The main reason to have a summer reading program is to encourage people to continue reading when they are not in school.  Summer Brain Drain happens if we do not continue reading.  Summer Brain Drain (also called Summer Slide) is the phenomena where you forget what you learned in the previous year of school.  Reading stimulates brain activity so that the children retain more of what they learn.

in People
Banner
Related Posts

10 things you don’t know about me… Kelly Skinner

January 15, 2020

January 15, 2020

St. Joseph resident Kelly Skinner is opening her new business, Soul Care, today. The grand opening and ribbon cutting is...

Dukeman shines in classroom and in athletics

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019

School comes easy for St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Hannah Dukeman. Dukeman, who plays softball for SJO in addition to...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me… Sharon Jeffers

March 20, 2019

March 20, 2019

I have two grown and married children, Logan/Tressica and Lauren/Kris, and two beautiful grandchildren Weston, and Emma I grew up...

Novak hopes butterfly garden benefits community

October 14, 2019

October 14, 2019

Heidi Novak isn’t a gardner. However, that didn’t stop the 2019 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate from creating a butterfly...

Senior Spotlight… Hannah Rajlich

June 18, 2019

June 18, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we talked to Hannah Rajlich. This post is sponsored...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me Nikki Setterdahl

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

For years, Nikki Setterdahl and her daughter Whitney have been bringing joy to teens at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through their project...

Wheelhouse steps up to help community

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

Abbie Layden-Rogiers and her husband Ryan Rogiers have always wanted to help the community. The owners of The Wheelhouse in...

Senior Spotlight with Jordan Stiverson

October 2, 2019

October 2, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Jordan Stiverson. 1. What is the...

Get to know Senior SJO Marching Band member Bryce Collins

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

The community surrounding Marching Band is filled with some of the most talented, passionate, and downright amazing people I’ve ever...

Hometown appeal: The Wheelhouse earns Business of the Year honors

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

When the Wheelhouse opened in 2017, it was unlike anything in St. Joseph. And still is. The farm-to-table restaurant owned...

How I get it done… Diana Foltz

October 7, 2022

October 7, 2022

We are asking local business leaders how they accomplish goals and run their businesses. We spoke to Diana Foltz, the...

10 Things you don’t know about me… Terri Rein

November 6, 2019

November 6, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we spoke to...

Senior Spotlight: Libby Rowland

May 13, 2019

May 13, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. First up is senior Libby Rowland. What will you be...

Doctor’s love of medicine started at early age

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

St. Joseph resident Dr. Jeanelle Murphy fell in love with medicine in the oncology wing at the Children’s Hospital of...

Grindley keeps positive attitude during pandemic

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic that we are all experiencing, it’s just not high school athletes that are being affected. Lucas...

Comments
Leave a Reply