NATCHEZ — The roar of a rocket engine is a bit out of place in a library. And it is probably difficult to turn the pages of a book wearing a pair of space gloves.

But with NASA hosting the kick-off to the Armstrong Library summer reading program on Tuesday books and outer space will collide. NASA representatives from the John C. Stennis Space Center will bring their traveling educational program to the City Auditorium for two 3-hour programs. The first kick-off session is from 9 a.m. to noon and the second is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

NASA representatives will bring a variety of exciting, educational displays and exhibits to teach children about the different roles of NASA. Children will see a short NASA film, see a presentation on living and working in space and view several exhibits — including an exploration exhibit, Apollo anniversary exhibit, space models and an astronaut space suit.

The goal of NASA educational program is to get children excited about learning and Armstrong Library Director Susan Cassagne said that goal mirrors the goal of the summer reading program offered annually by the library.

“The key to learning is to make it fun,” she said. “One of our goals is to give (the children) a fun experience so they don’t even realize they are learning.”

Children’s librarian Janet Echols Minor said this summer will be full of lots of fun for children attending the weekly library programs. She said on top of story time and exposure to all sorts of books, there will be fun presentations from community members including art, music and health related presentations.

“The library is not just a place to get books,” Minor said.

There are summer reading programs available to children of all ages. Kindergarten and pre-kindergarten aged children will meet from 10 to 10:30 a.m. each Wednesday from Wednesday through July 8. Grade-school children, from first through sixth grade, will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 2 to 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday from June 9 through July 7.

Minor said she planned the two program times for the older students to make sure the program was as accessible as possible for area children. She said children need only to attend one of the programs.

“It makes it a little more work for us at the library, but we wanted to be available for the most children possible,” she said.

There will also be a summer library program for students in the seventh grade through high school. It will meet at 3 p.m. each Wednesday.

Registration is not required to attend the free weekly library programs but any child who is registered will be eligible to pick prizes after reading a certain number of books.

Registration packets will be available at Tuesday’s kick-off.

Cassagne said her hope for the summer programs is that students will visit the library and see all the different services offered and become library users for life.

“The library is something you don’t outgrow,” she said. “There is something here for every walk of life regardless of age, race or income.”