Staff Report

Rielly Winder pets this alligator as part of the Aquarium Rovers presentation.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_OBSpic1.jpgRielly Winder pets this alligator as part of the Aquarium Rovers presentation. Courtesy photos

A variety of animals from Madagascar were presented.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_OBSpic3.jpgA variety of animals from Madagascar were presented. Courtesy photos

Children dressed as animals as part of the summer reading program.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_OBSpic6.jpgChildren dressed as animals as part of the summer reading program. Courtesy photos

NEWBERRY — An alligator was inside the Hal Kohn Memorial Library this July for the end of the summer reading series Every Hero has a Story.

Library Director Sam Ziady and Children’s Librarian Jessica Toland arranged for a presentation by the Aquarium Rovers: Education Outreach Program of the South Carolina Aquarium.

Children learned about animals’ unique qualities, i.e. superpowers during the event as they beheld species native to Madagascar.

Several children dressed as animals and all audience members were given the option to touch a boa constrictor, a hissing cockroach and the small alligator if they chose. A tomato frog was also displayed but could not be touched for safety reasons.

The education outreach program was part of special summer programming held by the library.

“The summer reading theme this year was ‘Every Hero has a Story’ which includes all types of heroes, such as historical heroes, superheroes, community heroes, family heroes, and even animal heroes,” said Toland. “Everyone has a hero whom they look up to.”

Other summer programs included two different magicians, Zelnik the Magician and Fish the Magish, Ron Anglin the juggler, a performance of “Cinderella” by the Columbia Marionette Theater, and an interactive adventure story by The Story Ship.

The children also had visits from Theresa Halfacre and her therapy dog Mr. Bean for two story times.

Public library programming continues for youth this fall. Fall story times for Mother Goose on the Loose (ages 0-3 years old) are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Preschool Pals (age 3-4) meets Tuesdays at 4 p.m., and Bookworms (ages 5-8) meets Thursdays at 4 p.m.