BPL hosts youth, adult summer programs

It’s summer fun reading time at the Brewton Public Library, but this year, children won’t be the only ones taking advantage of programs at the library.

Lynn Likely, the director of the library, along with her assistant, Lynn Walker, have now added programs for adults and teens, as well as the special programs for children. This year’s theme is “Build a Better World.”

To begin with, children 18 and under can take advantage of the program of free summer meals. Lunch will be served Monday-Thursday at 11 a.m. and a snack will be served Monday-Friday at 2 p.m.

Likely said that the meals and snacks are already being given, and the teen (13 and up) program begins Thursday, June 22, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. with a scavenger hunt. Thereafter, the program will be each Thursday through July 27, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. with gaming (June 29), night of glamour (July 6), Shakenna Bradley (July 13), paint night (July 20), and movie night on July 27.

The children’s program will also be held on Thursdays beginning June 22 through July 27, at 10 a.m. June 22 there will be animal tales; June 29, drum extravaganza with Mark Seymour; July 6, the Brewton Fire Department; July 13; Stories with POP (balloons); July 20; hoop for fitness with hula-hoops, and The Magic Guy Skip Cain will return on July 27.

The program also includes a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) day on Sat., June 24, from 10 a.m. until noon. Open for those in kindergarten through 12th grade, young adults and parents will have fun learning how things work.

Last, but certainly not least, the adult program will be held each Monday, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on July 3, with line dancing; July 10, Shakeena Bradley; July 17, crafts and word games; July 24, karaoke and board Games; and July 31, a paint party. For each event attended, a person will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win prizes.

Likely, the library director, was born and raised in this area. A W.S. Neal graduate, she earned her associate’s degree in business administration in 1985 from Jefferson Davis Community College.

“I worked at the Bank of Brewton and Associates Financial Services and began my own printing business at home,” she said. “I still do that when I have the time at home.”

In 2005, she worked on the Southern Normal Campus teaching teachers how to become principals.

“I heard that the library was looking for someone to do the bookkeeping, and I applied for and got the job,” she said. “I have really enjoyed the work here. We began with the children and now have a program for teens and adults. I think we have a variety of things that people will enjoy.”

Likely is a single mother raising two children, Jolesia Likely and Gary Likely.