Now that school is winding down, the Luverne Public Library is preparing to launch several reading programs to keep students engaged during the summer.

One of the biggest new programs is the Teen Book Club.

“This is a brand new program that we’ve never done before,” said Regina Grayson, the Library’s assistant director. “We’ve always focused on smaller children.”

To help with this new project, part of the library has undergone a bit of a facelift.

“We’re trying to create a ‘teen-friendly’ environment,” Grayson said.

The new area features five beanbag chairs and a number of movie posters and lamps.

The tentative schedule for the new Teen Book Club includes selections like “Forged by Fire” and “Tuesdays with Morrie.”

A third novel will be added to the list, but Grayson said they’re deciding between “The Lovely Bones” and “The Last Song.”

“We may get through four novels, but we’re not sure,” Grayson said. “We’re still feeling our way through this since it’s the first time we’ve done it.”

There will be activities associated with reading the novels such as movie nights, poetry readings, group discussions and others.

There will also be $50 gift certificates awarded to the students with perfect attendance and one for the Most Active Participation.

The Teen Book Club kicks off on Monday, June 7.

For younger students, the library is offering its regular summer reading program, which is in its eighth year under library director Kathryn Tomlin.

That program will be available for kids ages 3-5 on Tuesdays (June 1, 8, 15, 22) from 10 to 11 a.m., ages 6-8 on Thursdays (June 3, 10, 17, 24) from 10 to 11 a.m., and ages 9-12 on Wednesdays (June 2, 9, 16, 23) from 1 to 2 p.m.

On June 18, all ages are invited to a magic show by Skip the Magic Guy and Houdini from 10 to 11 a.m., and Skip will be holding a magic workshop that afternoon for ages 8 and up from 1 to 2 p.m.

All of these events are free, and you can contact Regina Grayson at 335-5326 or rgrayson@troycable.net for more information.

The library also has a group called “Friends of Luverne Public Library” on Facebook.