For too long, the stereotype image of a library is one of row upon row of bookshelves watched over by stern librarians who scowl and hiss at anyone who dares to speak above a whisper.

Rita Schmidt, the director of the Fort Dodge Public Library, laughs at that concept of a library. She believes libraries should be welcoming places that people want to go to for interesting things to read and entertaining DVDs to watch complemented by a wide range of activities for all ages. She and her staff have prepared a slate of summer programs to make that vision a reality and welcome people back to the library after COVID-19 kept them out of it.

There are summer reading programs for children, teens and adults. Completing reading logs and turning them in to the library will make participants eligible for prize drawings. For the youngest children, there are family literacy logs that invite families to not only read together, but do things like look at the stars and even try new fruits together.

Teens can participate in in challenges such as answering trivia questions about colors, because Reading Colors Your World is the library’s theme for the summer. They can also try to guess the name of books by reading their first lines. The lines will be posted at the library’s reference desk.

And children should keep a sharp eye out in the library for images of a pair of bicycling dogs nicknamed the pedal pups.

The Fort Dodge Public Library’s summer activities extend beyond reading. Each month, a different craft kit will be available at the reference desk.

In short, the library will be a cool place to be this summer, and we’re not just talking about the air conditioning. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the materials and activities available at the Fort Dodge Public Library.