DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne Public Library is the place to go this summer for children young and old. The 2012 summer reading program kicked off June 4 with 400 in attendance, and much is ahead. Activities are age-appropriate, and there is a wide variety of reading material to suit all tastes in literature. Young children The theme of the library’s program for the younger set is “Dream Big — READ!” The library offers story times for lap babies (3 to 23 months), which will meet on Terrific Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., and preschoolers (2-4 years) meeting on Wonderful Wednesdays at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 2:00pm. Both and or all the groups will enjoy stories, crafts and songs. Juniors (K-second grade) will meet on Tremendous Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the tweens (grades 3-5) will meet Tuesday afternoons from 1-1:45 p.m. Parents may choose the session which best fits their schedule. Summer readers can record the books they read on a reading log and receive a prize for completed logs. Readers should indicate chapter books and list the number of pages for each book on their log. For those who are not reading on their own yet (ages 2 and above), any books read to them by parents, sitters, librarians and siblings may be recorded on their reading logs. “It’s important for parents to read to them,” said Fanny Barnett, children’s librarian. “They’re actually starting that young, turning in the logs for their kids.” All summer readers who complete the summer reading program log will receive a special prize. At the end of the reading program readers should turn in their reading logs by Friday, June 29 at 5 p.m., and the top readers in each age group will receive a special award. Barnett said, “It gets them in the groove, and gets them used to books and reading, and they know the characters. It keeps on perpetuating.” She added, “(Young readers) tend to do better in school.” Teens Older youth are invited to “Own the Night” at the library this summer by participating in the teen summer reading program from through June 29. Teens are invited to visit the library and read for prizes as well as to take part in special events offered throughout the month. Special events this summer will include a yoga workshop, science program, hip hop dance class and a food demonstration offered by Taco Bell. Starting Monday at 1 p.m., the library will host movies and pizza each. Teens between the ages of 11 and 18 can register to attend these free events at the library. Registration is open. An awards ceremony is scheduled for July 17 for the top three teen readers. The first-place winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble and a free arcade fun card to the Eastern Shore Lanes. The second-place winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble and a free arcade fun card to the Eastern Shore Lanes. The 3rd place winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble and a free arcade fun card to the Eastern Shore Lanes. The Daphne Public Library encourages all teens to participate in the summer reading competition. Completed reading logs can be dropped off or emailed to the library no later than June 29 to be included into the reading competition. Students log the number of pages read during the month of June. Reading materials include books, magazine, journals and newspapers. Louise Youngblood, the librarian who oversees materials for teens, and coordinates related programs for that age group, said she has been surprised to see how enthusiastic for the printed word the age group is, even in this age of e-readers, smartphones and other electronic gadgets. “It was refreshing to see them interact with one another, just talking and not texting,” she said. “This age group has so much going for them. It’s a different world than when I grew up. You wonder what’s next; what’s down the road. They have a lot going on. “As librarians we were so concerned the book was going by the wayside, or they might not use the print form, but I don’t see that happening at all. I see them coming back to the physical book. What they have (with electronics) is more choices.” Youngblood said paper books are an emotional and physical experience, and it’s always a thrill to see teens come into the library, sit on the floor in a corner and read a book or magazine. Teen volunteers are needed to help with registration and the summer reading events. Call or email Louise Youngblood at 621-2818, Ext. 211 or email dplyoungadult@daphneal.com if you are interested in becoming a summer reading teen volunteer.  “Own the Night” is sponsored by the Friends of the Daphne Public Library. Participating community sponsors are:  Barnes & Noble, Eastern Shore Lanes, Taco Bell, Hot Wheels Skating Center, Waffle House, Little Caesars, Rave Theater, Lenny’s, Great American Cookies, Marble Slab, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Winn Dixie and Marco’s Pizza. Upcoming events The library is offering a second free performance of the month on Monday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Recreation Center, featuring a fun magical puppet show, “Maynard, Magic & Music.” Steve Burgess and friends will make you laugh and amaze you with magic tricks. This coming week will also include a visit at 1 p.m. on Tuesday from Denise Heubach of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, who will talk to tweens about the “wild side of the city” (night animals that are found locally). Also on Tuesday, the Teen Summer Reading Program will offer a science workshop for teens. The workshop will begin at 3 p.m. Joel Phillips, director of the Electronics Engineering Technology Department at Bishop State Community College in Mobile, will conduct the workshop. Phillips has been teaching electronics to Baldwin and Mobile county students for more than 17 years. Seating is limited, and registration is required to attend. On Wednesday, storyteller Connie Cazort will entertain preschoolers at 11 a.m., and author Sheila Booth Alberstadt will visit the juniors at 11 a.m. on Thursday.