Whitefish Library plans summer reading program

Staffers at the Whitefish Community Library have scheduled the start of the summer reading program for July 7, a week after the new library is to open on July 1.

Also on July 7, the children’s story time sessions kick off at 1 p.m. Story time is scheduled for 1 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 25.

An African-themed program for tweens and teens is scheduled from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21.

For adults, the library plans a summer reading log program and a book discussion group. The reading log program runs through the end of August.

A grand opening for the facility is Saturday, July 16.

Two librarians have been hired to join the staff at the Whitefish Community Library when it opens July 1.

Library Director Joey Kositzky hired Skeeter Johnston and Dayna Sampey to help operate the library. Johnston has worked for the county library system at the Whitefish branch since 2005, after volunteering there for four years. Sampey worked at the branch library for a year.

Library officials plan to hire one more library staffer, according to a press release.

The opening of the community library stems from the termination of an agreement between the Whitefish City Council and Flathead County.

The county is to stop operating a branch library in Whitefish at the end of the day June 30 and the city takes over the library operation July 1.