Welcome to this first in a series of columns about Butler County's public libraries. I want to share with you some of the treasures that await you in the stacks of your library.

The libraries are all making plans for their annual summer reading programs.

Pennsylvania's libraries participate in a multistate consortium that develops the theme for each year's summer reading activities. This year's theme is focused on the arts and is called "Be Creative @ your library!"

Lots of exciting activities are planned for county children. They will participate in art, music, dance, theater, writing, and, of course, reading.

Our libraries have customized procedures and activities that will apply the summer's theme to the unique attributes of each community.

Studies have shown that children who continue to read during their school vacations do better when school resumes in the fall. They do not need as much time to refresh their skills from the previous year.

Libraries design their summer reading programs and activities around encouraging children to maintain their reading skills and to engage their imaginations.

For details and schedules of summer reading activities, please contact the children's librarians at the libraries.

The phone numbers for the libraries are: Butler, 724-287-1715; Cranberry Township, 724-776-9100; Evans City, 724-538-8695; Mars, 724-625-9048; North Trails Public Library/Bookmobile, 724-476-1006; Prospect, 724-865-9718; Saxonburg, 724-352-4810; Slippery Rock, 724-738-9179; and Zelienople, 724-452-9330.

Remember that your library card from any of these libraries can be used at all of them. The libraries also can ship items from one place to another for pick-up.

You can visit the online catalog at www.bcfls.org to plan your next trip to the library. We will be glad to see you reading or simply browsing in the stacks.

Sheila Brown, M.L.S., is the administrator of the Library System of Butler County.