Five-year-old Daniel Schatz accepts a snow cone from Justin Zahniser, of Shepherdstown, at the Summer Reading Program kickoff on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Children ran around the patio of the Shepherdstown Public Library (SPL) on Saturday morning, eager to try out activities like making bracelets, panning for gemstones and blowing colorful bubbles. The activities were some of a number being offered as part of the library’s Summer Reading Program kickoff party.

According to SPL Youth Services Director Rachel Heller, this year’s kickoff party was organized by children’s library assistant Jessie Ward. She attributed Ward’s hard work as part of the reason for how successful the kickoff party was proving to be.

“It’s been so much more than last year’s!” Heller said. “We’ve already had a hundred Summer Reading Program signups. Last year, we had something around 75 total. We still have another hour to go, so I imagine we’ll get many more signups today!”

Heller noted that the number of activities being held this summer, in conjunction with the Summer Reading Program, has significantly increased from last year. The subject matter of the activities has also expanded, to include a variety of science-related events, a petting zoo, a magic show by Drew Blue Shoes and reading-related events. All of these subjects fit neatly under the theme for this year’s program, “Adventure Begins at Shepherdstown Public Library.”

“It’s not just about reading,” Heller said. “We call it the Summer Reading Program, but my philosophy is that kids grow with your library. If you can offer activities related to things like science and math and art, then you will be able to interest them in reading and listening to audio books and all different facets of stories and literacy.”

Jefferson County Parks & Recreation employee Lauren Cummings, right, watches as four-year-old Nora Deiches tosses a soccer ball at the inflatable dart board by the library on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

Cathy Laake, of South Bend, Ind., watched as her five-year-old grandson, Daniel, waited in line for a snow cone at the party. This was one of a number of times she has found herself taking her grandchildren to the library, during her visits to Shepherdstown.

“The boys read a lot!” Laake said. “There’s a great sense of community here. It helps the kids see that other kids are reading and participating in the library. I want them to enjoy reading and get many opportunities to talk to other kids.”

Across the parking lot on the library’s lawn, a variety of yard games were being run by Jefferson County Parks & Recreation employee Lauren Cummings. The games included corn hole, giant connect-four, hula hooping, giant Jenga, ladder toss and an inflatable soccer dart game.

Sonya and Jon Deiches, of Shepherdstown, watched in amusement as their four-year-old daughter, Nora, crouched down to throw a soccer ball at the dart board.

“She loves reading,” Sonya said, noting that this will be Nora’s first year participating in the Summer Reading Program. “It’s more motivating to read, though, when she gets to color each little book in after completing another book. We hope this will help keep the joy of reading alive in her heart, away from the screen.”

Kids sift through sand, looking for hidden treasure, at the kickoff party on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

Jon completely agreed with those sentiments.

“We hope to keep her enthused with reading until she’s the one actually reading the books,” Jon said.

Those wanting to join either the children’s or adult’s Summer Reading Program can sign up by visiting the library during its business hours, Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Children make bracelets at a tent on the Shepherdstown Public Library's patio on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston