The St. John the Baptist Parish Library System’s Summer Reading Program starts Friday and ends July 31.

The kick-off event will be held on the first day of the program at the Central Library; featuring Roger Day. His performance can be watched by patrons of all ages at 10 a.m.

Day has devoted his life to making sure that future generations sing loud, jump high and — most importantly — dream big. His signature wit, whimsy and wordplay have helped put smiles on the faces of kids of all ages. He believes in order to “Build a Better World” we must start with children.

Other performers and performances will include The Wetland Express, The ZOOmobile, Elizabeth Bragdon, The Hampstead Stage Company, Animal Architects, Lady Chops, The Aquavan, The BUGmobile and Rosa Metoyer, the Storyteller.

The Wetland Express is a mobile educational program that offers an up-close, hands-on experience with some of our wetland’s most important inhabitants. Patrons will learn about the wildlife that depends on the wetlands for their homes, meals and nurseries.

The express visits at 10 a.m. June 13 at the Central Library and at 2 p.m. at the Garyville Library.

The ZOOmobile brings the Zoo and the wonders of the natural world to you. Patrons will have fun learning about exotic animals through interactive presentations and hands-on animal encounters.

From rainforest animals in need of protection to threatened species from around the world, ZOOmobile programming will show patrons that all animals are important and need our help.

The animals will be visiting at 10 a.m. June 15 at the Edgard Library and at 2 p.m. at the Reserve Library.

Elizabeth Bragdon is a moving Storyteller, who will tell a story and act it out simultaneously, using elements of creative movement, natural movement and yoga. There will also be a Rest/Meditative Cool Down after the story and a short Follow-Up Activity. Patrons are invited to see her at 10 a.m. June 20 at the Central Library and 2 p.m. at the Garyville Library, also at 10 a.m. June 21 at the Edgard Library and 2 p.m. at the Reserve Library.

The Hampstead Stage Company will host an interactive educational tour at all four library branches. They will include two professional actors, each playing multiple roles as “Pinocchio” and “Beauty and the Beast” will be performed.

The performances will be done at 10 a.m. June 28 at the Reserve Library and at 2 p.m. at the Edgard Library, as well as 10 a.m. June 29 at the Garyville Branch and 2 p.m. at the Central Library.

Animal Architects will bring a fun and interactive animal show to the library system.

Patrons of all ages are invited at 10 a.m. July 3 at the Edgard Library and 2 p.m. at the Reserve Library, as well as 10 a.m. July 17 at the Central Library and 2 p.m. at the Garyville Library.

Elizabeth Vidos, also known as “Lady Chops,” is bringing her one-woman drumming show to the library. Her “Drum Roll Please” program is energetic, interactive and fun for all ages as she incorporates buckets, body percussion and the Cajun rubboard.

She will perform at 2 p.m. July 5 at the Central Library and at 10 a.m. July 6 at the Garyville Library.

The Aquavan will bring the excitement of the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas into the library as patrons explore the natural treasures of a tropical rainforest, discover an ocean teeming with life and even meet some animal neighbors from their own backyard.

The animals will be visiting at 10 a.m. July 10 at the Garyville Library and 2 p.m. at the Central Library.

The BUGmobile’s mobile education is an interactive educational program that offers up-close encounters with arthropods from your backyard and around the world. Patrons can connect to science benchmarks, such as life-cycle, habitats, classification and much more with age appropriate lessons and activities.

The animals will be visiting at 10 a.m. July 13 at the Reserve Library and 2 p.m. at the Edgard Library.

Storyteller Rosa Metoyer will visit the libraries to teach, heal, inspire and entertain under the heading of the Butterbean Tales, which include African and African-American folktales, Bible stories, fairy tales, Anansi tales and stories from around the world.  Join us to hear some interesting stories at 10 a.m. July 20 at the Reserve Library and 2 p.m. at the Edgard Library.

Kearston Poche’ is the administrative services coordinator for St. John the Baptist Parish Library. She can be reached at 985-652-6587.