T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY Librarian Mara Edler shows off the grand prizes for the adult summer reading program at the Marshalltown Public Library, which begins on June 1.

“Level Up At Your Library” is the theme for library summer reading programs across the United States, with local libraries putting their own spin on things, in the form of games, activities, prizes and guest presenters.

The Marshalltown Public Library’s summer reading programs for adults and youth will span June 1 through August 17. Katie Fink, who serves as the library’s public services and technology manager, said many reading challenges and events are designed to complement what parents and children would enjoy doing.

“Families will do the reading challenge together, and we try to do a little bit of a crossover between the youth and adult program,” she said. “There are a couple badges that would work for both youth and adults. We’re just trying to keep people learning and reading throughout their lives.”

Participants track their reading via Beanstack, a free app (you can keep track via paper logs too).

“With our challenge, it’s reading specific types of books, doing specific activities, attending programs at the library. And this year, our theme is all about gaming. One of the challenges that adults can do is just play a game with friends or family,” she said. “Each badge they earn gets them an entry into our prize drawings at the end of the summer.”

The Adult Summer Reading Kickoff will take place at 5 p.m. June 3 in a come and go event featuring ice cream floats, book swaps and drawing for a door prize of Yahtzee.

There are three prize groups: a board game gift basket, gift certificates local businesses donated to the library, and tote bags and books.

This summer, adults can enjoy library events ranging from assistance with getting clothes mended to author talks, free movies, and more. On June 7 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Central Iowa chapter of the American Sewing Guild will be on hand to mend items through patching knees, stitching rips, hemming pants and replacing missing buttons. The clinic is free and open to the public.

Tom LaVille hosts a film series for adults every fourth Monday at 2 p.m. Summer offerings will be “The Hustler” on June 30, “The Pink Panther” on July 28, and “The Three Faces of Eve” on Aug. 25.

On June 8 at 2 p.m. there will be a program by Karen Land and her dog Noggin, an Alaskan husky. Land is a writer, public speaker and three-time participant in the 1,000-mile Iditarod trail sled dog race.

“That’s an all-ages program we’re doing,” Fink added.

Barbara Lounsberry will present her program “Nancy Drew: Iowa’s Heroine to the World” on June 14 at 2 p.m.

“A lot of people don’t know that Mildred Augustine (Wirt Benson), who was the first writer of the Nancy Drew books, was from Ladora, Iowa,” Fink said.

Fruit bats will be on-site July 17. The 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. program will be aimed at kids and families, while the one at 5:30 p.m. will be for older kids and adults. On July 19 at 2 p.m., historian and radio news director Jeff Stein will present “Iowans You Should Know: Stories from the Iowa Almanac.”

The library will hold book discussions for “Just Our Luck” by Iowa author Denise Williams, on July 23 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the library’s community meeting rooms. Williams will visit the library for a talk and book signing on August 28 at 6 p.m.

Fink said appealing to a wide variety of interests is her objective.

“A lot of people like learning about the history of Iowa, so we try to connect our more historical programs back to Iowa,” she noted. “We look at different authors we might be able to bring to the library and what people are reading.”

The Gutekunst Public Library in State Center is also doing the “Level Up At Your Library” challenge. Its Director Amelia Root said the theme will focus on playing games and having fun while reading.

“We will not be having pre-registration or registration of any kind this year. Everyone is welcome to attend,” Root noted.

The kickoff party will be May 31 from noon to 2 p.m. on the lawn of the library with a popcorn bar, face painting and games. She said patrons of all ages will be able to pick up the summer library program bag specific to their age group. The bags will contain the reading log, calendar of events and prizes.

“Babies and preschoolers will be able to earn ducks each week by reading. K-5 and tweens will earn brag tags each week for reading 30 minutes and attending library programming,” she said. “I have put together around 10 really nice grand prize baskets for all ages this year. Patrons can win tickets for the baskets by reading and attending programs.”

The Albion Municipal Library does not have a formal summer reading program but will offer events. Paint & Sip on June 21 will see patrons painting either terracotta pots or making book bricks. It will run 10 a.m. to noon and is $15 per adult and $10 per child. On June 24, the Jewels Academy will host a Bug Bonanza event at 1 p.m. The library is working on replacing its popular annual ISU Insect Zoo program, which was defunded due to budget cuts at ISU, and hopes to have an interactive children’s program lined up for late July.

For more information, Fink may be reached at: kfink@marshalltown-ia.gov and Root at: aroot.lib@gmail.com.