As Bradford Area Public Library staff Debbie Deane and Judy Carr prepared wooden stars, circles and strings for a Memorial Day craft for children, both agreed that the activity “was the best part of their jobs.”

Deane, youth services librarian, and Carr, outreach coordinator, said the in-person event for children from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday is free and open to youngsters from the community. The event, which will have children paint and create patriotic mobiles, will be held in the outside area of the library, or under the porch in the event of inclement weather.

“It will be like wind chimes without the chiming,” Deane said on Thursday. “We’ll use chalk paint, so it will dry super quick, but it will stain your clothes so you’ll want to wear” appropriate clothing.

The library also can provide aprons to children who need more cover for their clothing.

Deane said the library continues to have more and more in-person events for children, as well as adults, which had included Mother’s Day and Earth Day craft events.

“We’re just doing projects at this point, and we’re trying to do them outside if we can,” she continued. Deane said social distancing of three feet apart is advised, and masks can be worn but are not mandated outside. Masks are required inside the library, however.

Carr said she, too, is pleased that children are returning to the library.

“I am really happy to have the kids back for outside programming,” Carr said. “We had a beautiful program (Wednesday) outside with the kids and it turned out really nice.”

She and Deane said they are really looking forward to the upcoming summer reading programs, also planned for outside.

“We’re really looking forward to getting back to things we did before,” Carr added.

Summer activities include the following events:

• June 11 — Summer reading kick-off party, 11 a.m. at Callahan Park pavilion.

• June 15 — Summer reading starts at 11 a.m. at the Jan Hamilton Park, Barbour Street, weather permitting. Tuesdays will be for ages birth through 5 years of age; Wednesdays will be for grades one through three; and Thursdays will be for grades four through six.

• June 22 — Jim Ronan will join the birth through 5 age group at the Jan Hamilton Park for Juice Box Heroes.

• June 30 and July 1 — Laurie from Penn State nutrition will join the library’s regular summer reading program to offer cooking/food prep activities and games.

• July 8 — Jeffini the Magician will be at Jan Hamilton Park at 11 a.m.; if the weather is inclement, he will be in the Growing with Grace preschool gym at Grace Lutheran Church.

• Aug. 6 — Summer Reading Ending picnic at 11 a.m. at Jan Hamilton Park. Jim Ronan will provide music.

For additional information on programs, or updates, contact the library at (814)362-6527.