This year's Friends of Given Summer Reading Program begins registration Monday, June 16, at 10 a.m. at Given Memorial Library.

"This year's theme is 'Around the World at the Given Memorial Library' and promises to be fun and informative for all participants," says a spokesman.

Board members Barbara Gault and Sue Bower will be running the program, and they say that their goal for the summer reading program is to encourage participation and use of the library by families with children ages pre-K through fifth grade. The program will run through Aug. 11, and will close with a party that day.

The "Around the World" themes will change each week and include "trips" to many countries, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Africa, Japan and South America, just to name a few. A large world map will be up at the library throughout the program to help track all the countries the children learn about.

In addition, there will be two special presentations -- one on African artifacts, as well as a Japanese tea ceremony that will allow participation by all the children. New materials and books will be available at the library and will coordinate to the weekly themes.

Upon registering, each child will receive a 14-inch soft globe to take home. A volunteer will also be available each Monday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to talk with the children about the books they have read and to help them with new book selections. A $10 fee will be collected at registration to cover program costs.

"The Friends of Given are very excited about this year's summer reading program and hope that our local families will come out and enjoy an exploration of the world," says the spokesman.

For more information, contact the Given Memorial Library at 295-6022.

NCPS Meets

The North Carolina Poetry Society will meet Saturday, May 17, at Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities, to celebrate the student and adult winners of its annual contests.

Registration opens at 9:15 a.m. The main program begins at 10:15 a.m. with the dedication of the 2008 Pinesong to Ann Deagon, a poet and past president of the NCPS.

Deagon earned a doctorate at UNC Chapel Hill and served as Hege Professor of Humanities and Writer-in-Residence at Guilford College until her retirement. She was editor of The Guilford Review, director of Poetry Center Southeast and was instrumental in the establishment of the N.C. Writers' Network.

Deagon continues to present readings and workshops in creative writing.

Poet Laureate Kathryn Stripling Byer will read at 10:30 a.m., followed by winners of the various contests. There is a break for lunch at noon, with more readings at 1:15 p.m.

Tutor Training

The Moore County Literacy Council offers 12-hour workshops for volunteers who would like to become adult tutors.

The next orientation is from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at the Emmanuel Youth House, 385 E. Indiana, Southern Pines. Tutor Training is June 9, 11, 16, and 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the same location.

Donations will be accepted to defray the cost of materials. Register by the week prior to the session by calling (910) 692-5954 or e-mailing pammclc@nc.rr.com.