OXFORD – This year, Oxford Memorial Library’s summer youth reading program is all about encouraging kids to tap into their creative side and enjoy reading during the summer months, according to Youth Services Clerk Naomi Cronk.

Summer reading programs are important, Cronk explained, so students can maintain or increase their reading skills while school is out. “And it’s just plain fun,” she said.

This year, with the help of Summer Youth Program Coordinator Kristen Cronk and new Youth Services Clerk Shannon Brandt, Cronk has planned a host of activities and events in keeping with the program’s general and teen themes of “Be creative @ your library,” and “Express yourself.” The focus is on hands-on activities which keep kids engaged and tie reading in with music, art or other creative pursuits.

One of the first events will be a free show by musical comedian Jim “The Spoon Man” Cruise, author of “Spoon Boy.” The presentation, which is funded in part by Senator Thomas Libous’ BOOKS program, will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7 in the Oxford High School Performing Arts Auditorium.

Other activities throughout the summer will include tie dying, ice cream making, an opportunity to design your own book cover and a photographic scavenger hunt.

Another, which Cronk said she is really looking forward to, is a lesson in sidewalk art by Chalk Artist Eric Maruscak from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on August 12 on the sidewalk in front of the Oxford Middle School. According to Cronk, chalk will be provided for participants, who are asked to bring a simple design to recreate.