Most kids want to pass the dog days of summer playing outside, swimming or staying cool in the house near a video game console, but the Athens-Limestone Public Library is hosting programs for all ages to encourage children to learn, socialize and read.

From young to old, all ages are invited to color the day away from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 17.

Head of Youth Services Amanda Coleman said she really wants to see it as a “generation day” where grandparents come with their grandchildren and everyone spends time coloring together.

The library is hoping to become the chalk of the town on June 24 when adults and children gather there to draw with sidewalk chalk.

A new program this year is the Spectrum Spot from 2-2:45 p.m. Thursdays, a program for tweens ages 9-12 and teens on the autism spectrum.

“It will be more of a laid back, relaxed environment,” Coleman said. “We will do the same things we do with other classes — building, crafts, science, talking about our interests and little things to help them socialize with each other.”

Coleman said the class isn’t specifically to help teens learn socialization skills, but she hopes they will develop naturally as the class progresses.

Children may want to come before Spectrum Spot to Sensory Storytime at 1-1:30 p.m. Thursdays.

“This is for special needs children of all ages, especially those on the spectrum,” Coleman said.

This year’s summer reading program is “Build a Better World” where kids can meet local celebrities from 10:15-11 a.m. Wednesdays while they learn how to build a better world both literally and figuratively, Coleman said.

“What I like about it is it’s not just building with a hammer and nails, but we’re also talking about building a better world by recycling to make a better environment,” she said, adding there will be a different theme each week that relates to making the world a better place.

The Teen Improv Class — one of the major hits in past years from teenagers — is back this year with acting coach J.J.R. Taylor. Classes are 3:30-4:30 p.m. Fridays.

Teens may also want to join the Teen Book Club from 3-4 p.m. the last Wednesday in June and July in the teen room, or dress as their favorite anime character for Teen Anime Night from 5-8 p.m. June 29 in the community room.

Coleman said one of her favorite parts of waving goodbye to summer is getting to meet live animals at Animal Tales.

“It’s our big finale,” she said. “Last year I got to hold a wallaby and it was one of the best experiences of my life. One thing we’re talking about is taking care of our environment so (animals) will have a better world.”

Storytime programs for babies through preschoolers will continue Tuesdays and Fridays through the summer months with a story, finger plays, scarf songs and felt board stories.

Kindergarteners through sixth graders can come to Open Session from 10:15-11 a.m. Thursdays. Kids will listen to a theme-based story, have building time and work on crafts.

Tweens can come from 11:30 a.m. to noon and work on science and building projects. Coleman said the Tween Program promotes teamwork and features “adulting classes” that help teach pre-teens basic life skills for the future.

Library staff request

Coleman wants to remind parents not to leave their children when they come to the library.

“We’re asking parents to remain in the rooms with their children for safety concerns,” she said. “There will be so many children, we don’t know the number to expect…not every staff member knows what child belongs to what parent.”

Coleman said one year she had a child with a nose bleed and the parent wasn’t in the building. The experience scared both her and the child, and she doesn’t want a repeat.

“We don’t want something like that to happen again,” she said.

Coleman also wants to remind parents and caretakers that the library is a public building and there are no rules for who can enter and who can’t.

“You wouldn’t leave your child in a store alone, don’t leave them here alone,” she said. “We’re not doing this to inconvenience anyone, we’re doing it for the safety of these children.”