ASHLAND, Ky. — The 2009 version of Boyd County Public Library’s Summer Reading program is bigger, better and way more colorful than in years past.

For eight weeks, throughout June and July, kids of all ages and adults can earn rewards for the time they spend reading, attend fun weekly art-themed programs and be entered into drawings for cool prizes.

There are also some special guests throughout the summer, like the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, an origami wizard, a graphic novel designer and many more.

The “Be Creative” kids Summer Reading program has separate meeting times/locations this year for tweens (ages 8-12) with more complex crafts and activities.

Teens once again have their own program, called “Express Yourself,” which is filled with fun programs on painting, digital art and music. And, for the first time, the library is sponsoring an adult program, called “Master the Art of Reading.”

All ages can start keeping track of their reading hours/books on June 1 – just pick up a reading log at any branch. The first programs take place the following week.

A kickoff featuring Magician Mark Comley takes place Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m. at the Main Branch, 1740 Central Ave.; and at 1 p.m. at the Summit Branch, 1016 Summit Road, across from Boyd County Middle School.

“Be Creative” is for children 3-12, but the older kids will have their own meetings and will do different activities than the younger ones. Weekly program times are as follows: Main: 2 p.m. Tuesday and 10:30 a.m. Friday; Summit: 2 p.m. Monday (ages 8-12) and 1 p.m. Tuesday (ages 3-7); and Catlettsburg: 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Summit will also be continuing Toddler Time this summer, at 1 p.m. Friday, and have programs with the “Be Creative” theme.

Local artists will help with some of the weekly programs, which include the themes of writing and imagination, music, sculpture, dance, painting, drawing and drama.

There are two special programs planned: a sculpting program on June 27; and Origami Wizard Jonathan Heart on July 18.

Another exciting event connected to “Be Creative” is a visit from the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, which will do a public performance of a “Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Thursday, July 9, at 6 p.m. in the gazebo in Central Park, not far from the Main Branch.

The creativity all wraps up with a grand finale Street Fair, featuring musicians, games and food, on Friday, July 31.

“Be Creative” movies are also being shown each Friday at noon at Main. A free lunch will be provided by the Ashland Independent Schools Summer Feeding Program.

For more information on Summer Reading 2009, call Misti at (606) 329-0518, ext. 1310, or visit www.thebookplace.org.