Llamas and ponies and goats, oh my! Those are just some of the animals — along with rabbits, chickens and kittens — that will be on-hand at a Friday Petting Zoo.

Hosted by the Powell Library with the Friends of the Powell Library, the zoo will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Park County Fairgrounds and serve as a kickoff to summer reading. Local high school student Jenna Merritt will also be at the free, public event to make balloon animals. 

The zoo fits into this year’s summer reading theme of Tails and Tales. Summer reading begins today (Tuesday), and readers of all ages — from babies to adults — are encouraged to participate. Participants may register online or at the Powell Library. 

This summer, library staffers are challenging the community to read more than an elephant weighs.

“When you are checking out your books at the library, weigh your books to enter our challenge!” said Brittany Morton, senior library technician. “How much weight in books will our community read?”

Every library book read will give participants an entry into a prize drawing, with prizes drawn after the program ends on July 23. Readers can also choose to put their tickets toward donations for the City of Powell Animal Shelter or Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes. Each week, children can also spin the summer reading wheel to win fun mini-prizes, such as free ice-cream coupons and toys.  

Pets can also join in on the fun. Just send in a photo of someone reading to an animal to be entered into a summer reading Facebook contest. Don’t have a pet? Stop by the City of Powell Animal Shelter and share a photo of someone reading to a shelter animal.  

To learn more about summer reading, visit the Powell Library or visit www.parkcountylibrary.org to check out a summer reading brochure, which includes instructions and a calendar of events.