This year’s Summer Reading Program at the Chippewa River District Library, 301 S. University Ave., is taking creativity off the page.

This year’s program includes a summer art contest for children up to sixth grade, free lessons for basket weaving, drumming and duct tape art for people of all ages, and a librarian who may dress herself up on YouTube.

The program is dedicated to bringing out creativity in all ages and in more than just literature, Rob Wang, the program coordinator for the library, said.

“Each age group has its own theme,” Wang said.

The children’s program is “Be Creative,” while the teen’s program theme is “Express Yourself,” and the adult theme is “Master the Art of Reading,” he said. “The themes this year have really opened the door for a lot of different (artistic) directions.”

Registration for this year’s program is larger than previous years, he said.

“Attendance has been amazing,” Wang said. “Registration within the first two weeks has surpassed last year’s.”

The children’s program is offering a free art contest for all ages up to sixth grade, Wang said. Artwork will be accepted at the library in any two-dimensional form, provided it is at least nine by 12 inches, until July 24, Wang said. Prizes will be awarded in the age categories of zero-five, kindergarten to third grade and fourth through sixth grade at 6 p.m. August 4.

This year, the library’s teen program is offering workshops on graphic novel art, henna tattoos and duct tape designs.

At 6 p.m. on July 21, William Beacon will help teens create wallets and other items with duct tape. A self-proclaimed duct tape expert, Beacon entered his original duct tape outfit for Duck Tape Brand duct tape’s “Stuck at Prom,” and has appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Tinna Mills, the library’s Youth Services associate, said Beacon has attended the summer program before and was very helpful.

“He starts with really basic designs (such as) bookmarks,” she said, “then helps people with whatever design they want to do. (Last year,) one kid made a duct tape (carrying case) for his X-box.”

If there is an increase in completed teen reading program participants, Mills said, she will dress up, perform a karaoke song and videotape it for posting on YouTube. Teen participants are allowed to vote on the song and the outfit, she said.

Free family movies are also showing every Fridays at 2 p.m. at the library except on 8 p.m. on August 6 at Faith Johnston Memorial Library, located at 4035 N. Mission Road in Rosebush.

The library is also offering the “Brown Bag Artist Series” for adults every Monday in July at noon. A basket weaver and tabla performance are among the artists scheduled. Participants are asked to register prior to each event and bring their own packed lunch.

“We’re doing more this year than we’ve done before,” Wang said. “(It has been) a fantastic crowd.”

The Summer Reading Program at the CRDL will continue until August 7. More information about the program may be found at www.crdl.org.

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E-mail the author: Hilary Farrell