Participants in the Kalona Public Library’s Summer Reading Program will sail the seas and hunt for treasure this year.

Centered on the theme of Treasure Your Library, the program offers everything from stories and crafts to sending messages in bottles and talking with a one-legged, one-eyed parrot.

In fact, a name for the puppet is one of the things being sought by the library. The parrot is the program’s summer mascot, and students at Washington Township, Kalona and Riverside elementary schools were invited to submit stories about the bird and to suggest a name for it.

The program runs from June 30 to July 30 and is divided into three age groups: Treasure Seekers (ages 4-6 and 3 year olds with a parent), Book Buddies (ages 6-9) and Explorers (ages 9-12).

Registration starts June 19 from 9-11 a.m. (before the Kalona Days Parade) at Hills Bank Kalona and continues June 21-26 at the library. Forms and flyers are available at the bank and the library; however, completed registration forms need to be returned to the library.

Volunteers also are needed and should register at the library as soon as possible.

Treasure Seekers needs at least four volunteers to help with the crafts and the Book Buddies needs as many volunteers a possible to be listeners when the young readers read aloud.

Explorers needs at least three volunteers to help with the program that will send messages in a bottle to the Kalona Rotary Club, as well as teach storytelling, have puppet and magic shows and more.

The first section meets Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. June 30-July 28. The second meets at 2 p.m., Mondays, June 28-July 26, and the third meets at 2 p.m. Fridays, July 2-July 30.

Funding is provided by Hills Bank Kalona.

A training session for all volunteers is set for June 21 at 3 p.m.