"Tails and Tales" is coming to Mount Joy, when the Milanof-Schock Library launches its Summer Reading Program. The program will begin with a drop-in event at the library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, on Saturday, June 5, from 9 to 11 a.m.

"We'll have games and activities, and people can pick up their sheet to track their reading if they are doing it on paper," said Jan Betty, director of children and youth at the library, affectionately known as "Miss Jan." "We are also offering tracking online like we did last year. We'll have stickers and bookmarks and lots of fun stuff for the kids at the kickoff." Dutch Country Soft Pretzels will also be on hand, selling pretzels, with proceeds benefiting the library.

As the name implies, "Tails and Tales" focuses on animal programs, Betty said. "ZooAmerica is coming with some animals," she noted. "We'll have a program with Lancaster Parks and Rec focusing on dinosaurs. We're trying to do as many live, in-person programs as we can."

Additional programs include magic with Ran'D Shine, Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary with Jesse Rothacker and Jeff Boyer's Big Bubble Bonanza. Activities for older readers include "Teen Zine Tuesdays," where teens will have the opportunity to work with award-winning authors to write for publication in SummerZine, which will include poetry, short stories and essays.

Programs will be offered for people of all ages, from infants through adults, and participants can either return their reading log to the library or enter their activities online to qualify for prizes. Prizes vary by age group and include Dutch Wonderland tickets as well as coupons for area businesses and attractions. Betty encourages people to register early for programs, because if activities are held indoors, attendance will be limited.

"It's so important to keep kids reading during the summer and to provide educational opportunities for kids," Betty stated. "All of our programs are fun, but they slip in an educational component as well, so the kids are learning something each time they come to a program."

It's also important to get families into the library in the summer, she said, adding, "If they come into the library, they are more likely to pick up a book or two."

For more information on "Tails and Tales," visit http://www.mslibrary.org.