Library reports record summer participation, launches Safety Town series and a community snack shelf plan

Library staff reported a record summer reading season with 915 signups, 59 more than the previous year, and outlined new programming for the fall. The library will host an ice‑cream social and a mini touch‑a‑truck event on Aug. 11 and is developing a Safety Town Series — a lighter, recurring program covering swimming safety, scooter/road safety, weather preparedness, and other topics aimed at school‑age children.

Library staff also proposed a community snack shelf to provide grab‑and‑go items for children who need access to daytime snacks during long school breaks; the plan includes partnering with the school backpack program and the local food pantry and using 'food for fines' drives to help stock the shelf. Staff suggested closer promotion coordination with Visit Del Rapids to increase attendance at library events and said more details will be provided as fall programming is finalized.