NATCHEZ — When schools close for the summer, it is the area libraries that step up to the plate to keep the minds of the Miss-Lou’s youth active.

And all library programs are free and include programs for 3-year-olds all the way up to teens in the eighth grade.

Judge George W. Armstrong Library Director Susan Cassagne said the program will give children something positive to do over the summer.

“Children need activities because those who have goals tend to stay out of trouble,” Cassagne said. “Children who use their minds will come into the school year much more prepared than those who just watch TV all summer.

“We don’t want to lose those summer months.”

Concordia Parish Library Director Amanda Taylor agreed, encouraging parents to get involved.

“It is real important that parents and guardians try to encourage their children to read during the summer so they will be ready in August for school,” Taylor said.

At your local library, there is a book that could hold your child’s interest, the librarians said.

“We’ve got books on car racing, animals, horses, ballerinas, fiction and much more,” Cassagne said. “Just come in and find out what your child likes.

“Work with us to find out what your child is interested in. Once that happens, your child will want to read.”

The program themes this year have been coordinated on a multi-state level, including Mississippi and Louisiana, so both libraries offer programs titled “Make a Splash at your Local Library,” for the younger children and “Make Waves at your Local Library,” for the teens.

Cassagne said coordination on this level will mean the libraries can provide more professional looking materials to the children.

In Concordia Parish, the program will be in Vidalia on Tuesdays, Ferriday on Thursdays and Clayton on Fridays.

Some of the entertainment acts offered include magician David LeBoeuf, a music and variety puppet show featuring Harvey Rabbit, musicians Brian and Terri Kinder and Terry “Snake Man” Vandeventer.

The parish only has programs for pre-schoolers in Vidalia and Ferriday, which will be offered at 9:30 a.m.

The elementary program will begin at 10:15 a.m., and the teen program will begin at 11:15 a.m. The bookmobile will also be at the Concordia Bank in Monterey Mondays at 10:15 a.m.

The programs begin June 7 and end July 16. For more information, contact the Concordia Parish Library at 318-336-5043

In Natchez, the preschoolers start at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. The elementary program will be Tuesdays, and parents have the option of attending the 10 a.m. program or the 2 p.m. program.

Some of the entertainment will include “Andy” the ambulance mobile unit, movie producer Jennifer Ogden Combs, kayak instructor Melissa Morrison and art instructor Loraine Griffin. The teen program is at 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

The programs are from June 8-30. To register, contact the library at 601-445-8862.