Let's 'Bee' excited about summer reading: An interviewwith the Reston Regional Library mascots

By the Friends of the Reston Regional Library

Staff at Reston Regional Library are all abuzz preparing for this year's Summer Reading Adventure. We caught up with the library's mascots, Beeatrix and Bobbee, to learn more about the program and what's happening at the library this summer.

FRRL: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. Can you tell our readers a little about yourselves?

Beeatrix: I'm Beeatrix, named after children's author Beatrix Potter.

Bobbee: And I'm Bobbee, named after Reston founder Bob E. Simon.

FRRL: For readers who can't see you right now, you're both bees.

Beeatrix: We are. We've been the official mascots of Reston Regional Library for a couple of years. We think we were chosen because we love books almost as much as we love flowers. The staff has decorated the library with flowers, so it feels like home. We love seeing people check out books, attend programs, use the 3D printer and preserve family memories at the Memory Depot. There's always something happening here.

FRRL: Tell us about the Summer Reading Adventure. We hear it has a paleontology and archaeology theme.

Beeatrix: That's right. This year's theme is Unearth a Story™. Reading lets you dig into new

ideas, places and people. You never know what you'll discover.

FRRL: How does it work?

Bobbee: Readers sign up, work toward reading goals and earn prizes. Local businesses have donated prize coupons, and participants can enter drawings for gift cards to Scrawl Books.

FRRL: Can adults participate?

Bobbee: Absolutely. Adults enjoy books, too, and they can earn prizes. The library is for everyone.

FRRL: Are there special programs tied to the theme?

Bobbee: Tons. There's the Subterranean Scavenger Hunt, Sew Your Own Dinosaur, Didgeridoo Down Under, the Really Big Dinosaur Puppet Show, Uno, Dos, Trés Andrés!, Ship Science and a Chinese dance performance. There's something for every age and interest.

From Aug. 20-23, the Friends of the Library will host its Back-to-School Book Sale for children, teens and teachers. Summer readers can redeem coupons for free books during the sale.

Then on Aug. 22, the library will celebrate with its End of Summer Reading and Back-to-School Bash, featuring crafts, music and family activities.

Beeatrix: This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the library is celebrating all summer long. June's theme is Voices of Pride and Progress, July's is Celebrate Independence, and August's is Youth and Education in America.

There's also a separate America 250 reading challenge. Participants can complete an America 250 Bingo board by reading, listening to books and taking part in activities. Those who fill an entire card will be entered into prize drawings, including a Kindle and LEGO sets.

FRRL: It sounds like there's something for everyone this summer. Any final thoughts?

Bobbee: We hope people get excited about reading and all the discoveries waiting for them. Every book has something new to reveal, just like every person has a story to tell.

Beeatrix: People and bees.