November 30, 2025 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 tips to get your home ready to sell

August 5, 2019

August 5, 2019

Clear out your personal belongings and declutter. It’s a good idea to eliminate clutter and depersonalize the home. You’ll want...

Acklin named acting mayor of Ogden

November 3, 2023

November 3, 2023

Jim Acklin is the acting mayor of Ogden. Acklin was selected at the Nov. 2 meeting by the Ogden Village...

Friends hope to help Heritage alumni battle illness

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

Heritage alumni Anya Knecht makes food for her friends, family and coworkers. She sends cards and handmade gifts to others....

Maxey named to SJO Board of Education

June 23, 2020

June 23, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden School Board has a new member. The Board of Educated voted to fill a vacant position with...

Success of students, FFA is what Duitsman will remember about her time at SJO

July 30, 2019

July 30, 2019

This August will be a little different for Katie Duitsman. The former St. Joseph-Ogden High School agriculture teacher will not...

Kids Say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

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...

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...

10 Things You Don’t Know About Me… Laura Mabry

February 27, 2019

February 27, 2019

Each week we ask an area resident to tell us 10 things about themselves. This week we asked Laura Mabry...

Acklin goes the distance, earns induction into SJO Hall of Fame

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Jim Acklin has dedicated his life to coaching and teaching. For that he is being inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden...

Bracelets honoring Booker bring attention to Scott’s Law

April 5, 2022

April 5, 2022

Vickie Reese is hoping a bracelet will help people remember to move over when they see flashing lights. Reese, the...

Franzen chosen to lead middle school

March 30, 2021

March 30, 2021

The new St. Joseph Middle School Principal will be a familiar face. The St. Joseph Consolidated Community School Board voted...

10 things you don’t know about me… Abbie Layden-Rogiers

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Each week we ask a community member to tell us 10 things about themselves. This week is Abbie Layden-Rogiers, owner...

SJO football clinches playoff berth with win at BCC

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

The St. Joseph-Ogden football team can beat teams in multiple ways. Kodey McKinney can drop back and unleash accurate passes...

Senior spotlight… Lindsey Aden

January 2, 2020

January 2, 2020

What are your plans after high school? I hope to attend Stanford University to double major in political science and...

Comments
Leave a Reply