The first puppet show of this year’s Sensational Selma Summer series took place Tuesday at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. 

Library director Becky Nichols, who has been coordinating the program for the past 38 years, said it is needed in the community because it gives the children of Selma and surrounding areas something to look forward to.

“Everybody loves the puppet shows and has for years. We’re excited for the next eight weeks of summer,” Nichols said.

The puppet shows, which are free to the public, will tell different fairytale stories and take place every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the library. The last puppet show will be on July 19.

“We have a lot of kids in the area with a limited number of fun things for them to do. Here at the library, we enjoy bringing performers and activities that normally, people would have to go out of town to see,” Nichols said.

She said she feels like bringing fun to the library makes it easier for parents and encourages children to read more over the summer by being introduced to books when they come to the different events showcased there.

Mary Emily Frazer, 8, said she has been to puppets show in the past and enjoys them each time.

“They are fun. My favorite part about today was when the puppet fairies came out,” Frazer said.

The series will not only be limited to children but will offer sessions for teens and adults through the summer as well.

Library employee Rykia Henry, 18, graduated from Selma High School in May and is the leader of the Teen Talk series.

“We started the program last May. We are trying to make it a big thing in the community where teenagers can have something to do during the summer instead of staying at home and being unproductive,” Henry said.

She said it is important to give teens an outlet to express themselves with a group of supporting peers.

Hosted on Mondays throughout the month of June at 2 p.m., topics and activities will range from bullying, cooking, Zumba and more. The program is for ages 13 to 18.

Book Bunch, which is for adults, is a weekly discussion of different books and takes place every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

More activities will take place at the library all this week including a petting zoo Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m., a juggling show Thursday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. and story time from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

“The library is the center of the community and we want to keep all kinds of exciting things going year round for all of the people who call Selma home,” Nichols said.