MASSENA - Magician Terri-Lynn Hunter will kick off the Massena Public Library’s summer reading program during an appearance at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

“Terri-Lynn Hunter has become our favorite magician. She knows how to work the kids and how to make the adults laugh,” Youth Services Librarian Elaine Dunne-Thayer said.

The theme for this year’s summer reading program is “Dream Big - Read,” and as always, Massena’s program is designed to encourage children to continue reading during the summer vacation so they’ll continue to hone their reading skills.

Those who participate in the independent reading program can earn some goodies for their efforts. Readers who record 100 minutes of reading over the summer receive a free book, an ice cream certificate from Stewart’s Shops and an invitation to join the end-of-program skating party at 2 p.m. July 31 at the St. Lawrence Centre mall arena. The invite covers both the skating and the cost of skate rental.

Anyone who reads 200 minutes also receives another free book and coupons from Subway and Burger King.

Ms. Dunne-Thayer said registration began for the independent reading program last week, and approximately 100 readers have signed up so far.

“I think that’s really a very good start. I expect it to more than double, perhaps triple,” she said.

Readers can continue to register through July, and she said they’ll honor completed reading certificates right up until the start of school in September.

But the summer will be more than about reading. It’s also about bringing special guests to the library and sponsoring theme-related programs.

Following Ms. Hunter’s appearance, which is sponsored by NBT Bank of Massena, the library will welcome “pop artist” Michael Albert for a workshop from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 9. His visit is sponsored by SeaComm Federal Credit Union.

“This is someone we haven’t had before. He does a really neat program using cereal boxes,” Ms. Dunne-Thayer said.

Mr. Albert has been an artist since his college days at NYU and, because of his reluctance to throw away a Frosted Flakes cereal box, he created his first “Modern Pop Artwork,” a collage he titled, “Portrait of an American Classic.”

His program will include a short presentation to tell the group about his life as an artist and author, and then he’ll present numerous examples of his work. Following that, Mr. Albert will lead a cereal box collage workshop.

“Everyone makes their own mural out of cereal boxes,” Ms. Dunne-Thayer said. “They’re family programs, which I really like so parents can do them with children.”

Pete the Pirate will make his inaugural visit to the Massena Public Library at 2 p.m. July 13.

“His theme is “Treasure Reading,” Ms. Dunne-Thayer said.

He’ll present a comedy show that features live music, magic and ventriloquist puppets.

Zoo animals from the Thompson Park Zoo in Watertown will make a return appearance at 2 p.m. July 17, and library activities will shift to the Robert Moses State Park Nature Center at 10 a.m. July 19 for a program called “Let’s Go Camping! @ The Nature Center.” The day will include a pre-school “storywalk” hike, several camp crafts and marshmallow roasting over the campfire. It concludes with a S’Mores snack.

A tie-dye T-shirt workshop led by Ty Danboise will be held at 10 a.m. July 23. Participants will learn how to use different colored dyes to create a unique T-shirt.

The end-of-program skating party will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. July 31. It will include snacks and prizes along with the skating.

Ms. Dunne-Thayer said they’ll also have a summer session of storytime during July and August. Baby storytime will begin on July 3 and pre-school storytime will start on July 5.

Weekly craft programs will also be held at 10 a.m. July 11, 18 and 25, and Friday afternoon movies will be shown at 2 p.m. July 20 and 27.

For more information, contact the library at 769-9914.

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