Shannon Houlihan Ng, branch manager of the Idyllwild Library, shows the website where summer readers can register. Photo by J. P. Crumrine
Shannon Houlihan Ng, branch manager of the Idyllwild Library, shows the website where summer readers can register. Photo by J. P. Crumrine

Throughout the summer, Idyllwild feasts on special events — Lemon Lilies, jazz, and art and wine tastings. Now add the Idyllwild Library to this array of sponsors. But the library’s opportunities will be available throughout the summer, almost every week rather than a single day or weekend.

These events will be focused on kids and adults, and offer rewards to the participants, such as a family four-pack of tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Reward programs such as the circus originate with vendors, who offer the rewards for those reading books during the summer. Another participant is The Old Spaghetti Factory.

“Read five books and kids can receive a free meal,” said Idyllwild Librarian Shannon Ng. “It’s something we do as part of the statewide program and something special for the community.”

The organizations have their reading encouragement programs and also seek out libraries to partner with them.

Another reading program, “Rock to the Rhythm,” supports local organizations promoting music education. Idyllwild Library is working with MUSICA! and the Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra.

“This program is perfect for Idyllwild,” Ng said. “Marshall Hawkins will be here.”

MUSICA! will bring an instrument petting zoo, which people will be able to play, Ng said.

This program begins June 20, when Local Color will sing some of its favorite songs and use them to teach. A week later, June 27, Hawkins will present a jazz concert at the library. These performances are for the whole family.

The traditional Monday-morning children’s storytimes begin June 22 at 10:30 a.m. Sherri Domenigoni will kick off these features reading her book, “The Lemon Lily Fairy.”

Story times about songs and dances will follow with Katie Burd on June 29, and Rachel Torrey and Tony White on July 6.

Teens are the focus of three evening events in July. The first is a drum circle on July 7, followed by the “Rockin Rally Domino Run” on July 14 and “Marble Motion — Marble Boogie” a week later. This will feature a roller-coaster-style marble race, but attendees build their own track.

Summer readers may register at the library or directly on line at the library’s Great Reading Adventure page (www.rivlib.net/srp). The online option allows kids and parents to continue to participate wherever they are, even traveling, during the summer. Visitors to Idyllwild are welcome to register and then submit their books online from anywhere.

“It’s so much easier and fun, and no paperwork,” stressed Ng, who has spent the past three years at Idyllwild Library. Typically, the library enrolls between 100 and 120 kids each summer. Adult participants number about 60, according to Ng. The number of participants has increased each year.

Readers may even write a review of the books they have completed, Ng said.

Local rewards and prizes also are available. Tickets and other donations have been contributed for the Jazz in the Pines, Rustic Theatre, Red Kettle and the Idyllwild Actors Theatre. “There will be weekly drawings for adults and kids,” Ng promised.

Each of these programs also encourages and creates incentives for individuals to use the library’s resources, which is Ng’s goal.

“Our main purpose is to make information available. How we do that — books, paper or online — doesn’t matter,” she said. “We’re more interested in the story than how we get the story to you.”