Tuesday, June 22, was the official first full day of summer 2010. That afternoon, 91 children learned a little bit about the culture of tropical paradises to start the six-week Summer Reading Program at the Auburn Memorial Library.

The children, who ranged in age from 4 years to fifth grade, were given leis as they entered to watch dances, listen to music, and learn about the cultures of Hawaii and Tahiti. The Trade Wind Dancers from Lincoln performed and taught the children how to do native dancing. The dancers wore Hawaiian and Tahitian costumes. Beach balls, the sun and fish hung from the walls of the room where the program was held.
The dancers told the children that yellow and red were the colors of Hawaiian royalty. Hawaii is the only U.S. state that was a monarchy. Hawaii was a monarchy until 1893, then became a republic and was annexed by the United States in 1898. Hawaii became a state in 1959. Sunday, July 4, was the 50th anniversary of the current 50-star U.S. flag after Hawaii’s admission to the Union. The dancers ended the program with a dance to “Aloha Oe” (Farewell To Thee).
“Make a Splash...Read” is theme of the 2010 program. It continues Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. through July 27. Participants must be age 4 by Thursday, July 1.
Library staff said that a lot of effort is put into the program with the hope that the staff can keep the youth turned on to reading during the summer so they go back to school reading.  
Heather Koeneke, assistant director and children’s librarian, said that she would like to see the older children read at their grade level.
The summer reading program features special guests as well as activities.  On Tuesday, June 29, Adam White, a magician from Lincoln, entertained. Mike Mennard, musician, performed Tuesday, July 6. Also scheduled to perform during the 2010 session are: Yost Racing, auto racers, Tuesday, July 13 and Robert Zook, aka Dr. Cool, mad scientist, Tuesday, July 20.
For each book that a child reads during the program (or is read to), the child receives a library dollar (youth fiction books are worth more).  Tuesday, July 27, the last day of the program there is a store where the children can spend their dollars for various prizes.  The library staff has found this works well as each child can set his/her own goal. There will be a drawing for a bicycle the final day. The bicycle was contributed by Drs. John Crotty and Darren Wright of Lifetime Vision Center.
“The more pages in a book, the more money you will get,” Koeneke told the children.
During the 2009 program, participants read 3,000 books over five weeks, she said.
The program is sponsored by Friends of the Library, Lifetime Vision Center, and Bucy & Weeder Dental PC.