The Selma-Dallas County Public Library kicked off its Sensational Selma Summer on Monday with a magic show featuring magician Gary Ledbetter.

The show was just the start to what’s sure to be a magic summer at the library. Every weekday throughout the summer — except for July 4 — the library is offering some type of show or event to keep children busy.

Later this week, the library will have a puppet show, petting zoo, juggling act and craft and story time.

Each year library director Becky Nichols and her staff do a great job keeping the schedule entertaining so that it draws children and groups to the library. No matter their age, it’s important for our children to stay around books and continue learning throughout the summer.

Between the end of a school year and the start of the next one, many children go through summer learning loss.

Some statistics show that students lose as much as two months of math and reading skills during the summer months, which can put them behind in the classroom.

There are many ways to fight summer learning loss.

Some experts recommend signing a child up for a sport or encourage them to learn something new, like swimming, karate or how to play an instrument.

Another simple way is just to get them to the library and to give them a reason to look forward to going to the library.

The Selma-Dallas County Public Library continues to give children a reason to look forward to visiting. Hopefully, while they are there they leave with a book to read during their off time from school.