Our monthly theme for July is “Picture This at Your Library.” It is particularly appropriate this year as our summer reading program focus is on “Be Creative @ Your Library” and also because the Kitsap Arts and Crafts Fair is in Kingston the third week of this month.

At 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, in the Indianola Room, the Kingston book group will be discussing “Mountains Beyond Mountains,” by Tracy Kidder. It is the story of Dr. Paul Farmer, whose charity, Partners in Health, has helped to fight infectious diseases globally.

Last Leaf Productions will be putting on a stage production of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s story at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, in the Kingston room next to the library. This is one of our summer programs provided free of charge to families.

The second will be Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth, performing at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21.

Stories and art for kids continue from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays, July 18 and 25, at the Kingston Farmers Market.

At 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 13, we will have an Altered Books workshop. Here you can learn basic techniques for tuning recycled books into works of art. Bring an old hardback book, or purchase one from the Friends of the Library for 50 cents. Space is limited, so please pre-register early.

Although the Kingston Friends of the Library will not hold their regular meeting in July, they will be having their “Biggest Book Sale Ever!” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 18. Donations of books are being accepted and sorted up to the day of the sale. Items may be brought to the Community Center, or call the library at (360) 297-3330, and we will work out a method for materials to be collected. Proceeds from Friends sale benefit the library in many ways, including helping to purchase prize books for the summer reading program.

The Kingston Classic book group will meet on Monday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

A special thank you is owed to Brad and Laurie at Larson Casteel Landscaping for their assistance in our grounds. Their employees really cleaned up the unwanted weeds, allowing the flowers to flourish. Come by and check it out!