The Elizabethton/Carter County Library is launching their summer programs and activities soon, and this time, they are shooting for the stars.

Teen Librarian Monica Calhoun said this year’s theme is space and everything relating to it.

“Everything we do will be space-related,” Calhoun said.

Libraries across the state of Tennessee take part in the theme, but each library does a different approach to the topic. Carter County’s library, however, is planning to take its outreach outside the walls instead of inviting people inside them.

“The library is very important to school-age children,” she said. “Studies show, in the summer, you will lose reading levels you gain during school.”

Even events that do not immediately sound like they are related to space will have a space angle when the library gets involved. For the next three weeks, the Stateline Drive-In will be showing one Toy Story movie every Monday evening in anticipation of Toy Story 4’s future release. During these screenings, the library will be giving out books about space to children who attend.

The library will also host a wilderness survival course this Thursday, June 6, which will, among other methods, show participants how to use the stars to navigate with a map and compass to determine which compass direction you are facing.

The library also plans to attend the Covered Bridge Festival as well.

“It is important to read from childhood to adulthood,” Calhoun said. “Reading for pleasure can really make a difference.”

She said associating reading with exciting topics like space can get a child to voluntarily read, which is the ultimate goal.

“Space is really cool,” Calhoun said. “My weekly [Teen Tuesday corner] will include space as well.”

Beyond the theme, however, she said the programs are a way to better connect with the children to whom they want to reach.

“I really love teenagers,” Calhoun said. “I will be able to get out and see them at different events.”

Calhoun said the library will have more details about these and future events later on, but have yet to iron them out. For more information, contact the library at 423-547-6360. The library is located at 201 N. Sycamore St.