Kids get a look at some cool and unusual wild animals and reptiles at Silly Safaris [July 15, 2015]  LINCOLN - Silly Safaris turned the Lincoln Public Library into a zoo Thursday morning. The summer reading program at the library continued the string of excellent entertainment for its young readers and their parents. Silly Safaris presenter Lemur Levi had the excited kids in the palm of his hand with the wide array of animals that accompanied him to the library from his home-base in Indiana. Levi even brought his English Bulldog, Olive, along.

The Lincoln Public Library is located at 725 Pekin St., with adult nonfiction and reference materials in the historic Carnegie Building. The Annex directly behind houses adult fiction and the Youth Services Department. All library events are free and open to the public. Online, visit www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org. Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Phone [phone] for adult services and 217-732-5732 for youth services.

This is the second year in a row for Silly Safaris at the library, and it is easy to see why. Lemur Levi knows his animals and gave the young readers a lesson on each one. The kids hung on every word, and Levi did not disappoint with his knowledge and humorous delivery.

This is the fourth week for the Lincoln Public Library summer reading program, “Read to the Rhythm.” There are two weeks remaining for the Thursday morning programs. Contact Melissa Oxborrow at the Lincoln Public Library Youth Services Department for information on the next program, or for any questions on the numerous upcoming events for young readers. The phone number is 732-5732.

[Curt Fox]