WESTFIELD — It’s time for summer reading! “A Universe of Stories” will take us away to far away places, and anywhere else you can possibly imagine – it’s all up to you! Patterson Library has a jam-packed Summer Reading Program schedule. Please come and join us for all of our fun, and educational events, programs, and story times.

Every Monday at 11:15 a.m., beginning on July 1 and ending on Aug. 5, we will have a special event in Westfield! On Monday, July 1, we will host “The Spaced Out Magic Show” with Cris Johnson in the Octagon Gallery. On Monday, July 8, guests from Evangola State Park will join us in the Octagon Gallery to present “A Universe of the Forest.” Next up on Monday July 15, Chris “The Rocket Man” Centi will come to the Octagon Gallery to talk about the wonderful universe of space! On Monday, July 22 in the children’s area, we will host an in-house program: “Galaxy of STEAM Stations” highlighting our brand new mobile maker space, and other wonderful stations full of a maker dreams! Omnipresent Puppet Theater comes to Patterson Library and presents “Cosmic Joe & the Space Pirates” in the Octagon Gallery on Monday, July 29. Our final special event will happen on Monday, Aug. 5 in Moore Park when In-Jest comes to juggle for us! Afterward please come back to Patterson Library for our end of Summer Reading Program Picnic, where we will have all sorts of goodies to eat!

Every Wednesday beginning on July 3 until July 31, our special Summer Reading Story time groups will meet. Twinkle Tots (infants to 3 years old) will meet at 9:15 a.m., followed by Planet Pals (Pre-K to entering Kindergarten) at 10 a.m., followed by Rocket Readers (entering grades 1 and 2) at 11 a.m., followed by Galaxy Gang (entering grades 3 and 4) at 1 p.m., and rounding out the day at 2 p.m. with the Moon Walkers (entering grades 5, 6, and 7). Teens will meet on Friday July 12, July 26, and Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. for Teen Night Summer Reading Program events.

Music Together with Kay Barlow will be with us at Patterson Library for a special four-week summer program. Kay will work with families on Thursdays beginning July 11, through Aug. 1. There is a $35 materials fee for this class, which fills up very quickly, and has limited space. Please call the main desk now to reserve your spot!

We will also have a special visit from the Art Mobile from St. Bonaventure University on Friday, Aug. 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Art Mobile makes very few visits in the summer, so come down and enjoy a fun arts and crafts class! Ms. Amy & Ms. Emily will present “Ready, Set, Kindergarten” on Monday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. in Patterson Park. Please call and register at the main desk for this exciting program!

We have not forgotten the adults this year! We will have a two book club meetings led by local science fiction author, Charles Freedom Long on Tuesday July 9, and Tuesday July 23 at 6 p.m. in the Main Reading Room. The books will be his space-themed thrillers: “Dancing with the Dead” and “Alvar’s Spear.” Come join us for snacks and adult beverages as Charles leads us through discussions of these two wonderful books about a universe far, far away! Also for adults we have an adult game night planned for Thursday, July 11 at 6 p.m. in the Main Reading Room, and a Date Night at the Patterson on Thursday, July 25 at 6 p.m. Spread out throughout the library (there will be complimentary childcare available for this evening; please call the main desk to register). We will have prize drawings at the adult events, and a grand prize drawing at the end of the Summer Reading Program, drawn from the number of abridged reading reviews you submit at the main desk, once summer reading begins on July 1.

Remember to check our website at www.pattersonlibrary.info for our full schedule of events for the Summer Reading Program, or call us at 326-2154 for more information or to register for a program, or just simply pop on down to the library to pick up a printed calendar of events. Our events can also be located on the Westfield Community Calendar, on Facebook under Patterson Library, and in the local Penny Saver. If you would like to receive our monthly e-newsletters, please email the library director, Tom Vitale, at director@pattersonlib.org.