FOLEY — According to Foley Public Librarian Kelley Wansley, the facility’s Summer Reading Program is going strong.

“I feel really, really good about this year,” she said in an interview at the library.

That’s because last week’s program launch boasted approximately 650 attendees packing into the Foley Civic Center.

In addition, an average of 400 children and youth are estimated to be taking part in the actual reading portion of the program. For their efforts, participants do get a treat in the program, themed “Dream Big.”

“Every child will get a reward for reading,” Wansley said.

But special rewards, including bicycles, will go to the participants reading the most books by the end of June.

“We require 30 minutes a day of reading for every preschooler and one hour for every school-aged child,” Wansley said.

The rewards for reading will be presented at the program’s culmination.

“For our finale, we’re having a pajama party,” Wansley said.

That will take place at 10 a.m. June 28. But there’s more fun, to spur along reading encouragement, until then.

“All of our programs are on Thursday,” Wansley said.

This Thursday will feature Mark Seymour, who will present Be-At.

“He drums everything,” Wansley said, “from buckets from Wal-Mart to playing a synthesizer with drum sounds.”

On June 22, the program will feature African folk teller Ekpe Abioto,

In addition to the prizes, the finale on June 28 will include a performance by kid rocker Mr. Billy.

“He takes an old Beatles song and changes the words to focus on kids and books,” Wansley said.

In addition, each week features the reading of a Mo Williams picture book.

”They (readers) dress up in full-blown pig and elephant costume,” Foley Library Director Steve Horn said.

But that’s not the only fun children can have at the library this month.

“We have Movie Day,” Wansley said.

Starting today, patrons can watch each installment of the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” trilogy each Tuesday in June.

“We’ll have free popcorn and drinks,” Wansley said.

Plus, patrons of all ages can take a piece of the library home with them.

“We are having a book sale June 18-23,” Horn said. “It’s sponsored by the Friends of Foley Public Library. They are a major part of our fundraising.”

For more information about the Foley Public Library Summer Reading Program, call 943-7665, visit www.foleylibrary.org or download the library’s mobile app.