The Cullman County Public Library System’s Summer Program began last week, and there is a full slate of education presentations for children through the end of June. 

Wednesday’s presentation was from Brian Lacy, communications manager for the Cullman Electric Co-Op, who spoke about the challenges that people faced when they lived without electricity, and how the Co-Op was founded when local farmers pooled their money together to pay to bring electricity to the area. 

Judd Morton and Tim White, two linemen for the Co-Op, also brought their truck and equipment to the library for children to get a demonstration on its usage. 

Lacy said there is always something good to tell about the Co-Op, and he likes participating in programs like these because it reminds everyone that the Co-Op is still a big part of the community. 

“Any time they call and ask us to participate in it, we’re glad to,” he said. 

Library Youth Services Coordinator Renee Ryan said the theme for this year’s summer program is “Build a Better World,” and many of the presentations this summer are built around that. 

Some of the upcoming presentations include the Cullman Water Board, who will have a slideshow about the building and planning of the Duck River Dam, Leonard Design Architects, who will teach about the planning and designing of their projects, and contractor Don Scott, who will give a presentation on construction. 

Ryan said other notable presentations for the summer are petting zoos from Peinhardt Farms and Animal Tales, two magicians who will perform and former music teacher Polly Easterwood.  

“We really try to get a lot of local people to come when they can,” she said. 

So far this summer, attendance at the program has been great, Ryan said. She said there were around 150 children and parents at the kick-off of the program last week, and have been around 100 present for the next two days. 

“Hopefully we’ll get some kids to come out to the library and check out some books and keep reading this summer,” she said.