Marissa Marquardson, Peter White Public Library youth services assistant, helps Emmy MacQueen, 3, with a special craft during Monday’s School’s Out, Library’s In program. In the background trying out his cannonball shooter is Ezra MacQueen, 5. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — When school is out, kids still can learn and have fun.

The Peter White Public Library will hold drop-in programs and movies when Marquette Area Public Schools has half and full days off.

On Monday, PWPL held “School’s Out, Library’s In: Marble Maze and Minion Perler Beads,” with marble mazes and a robot runner taught in the Great Room and the beads caught in the Maker Space.

Marissa Marquardson, PWPL youth services assistant, was a leader on Monday.

“We have different activities going on for the kids,” Marquardson said of the School’s Out program. “We usually have something here in our Great Room, a craft in our Maker Space and then a movie playing at 12:45 every time.”

Youngsters, for instance, made cannonball shooters in the Great Room.

Monday’s theme was Minions because the latest Minions movie was played.

Marquardson said the activities are for all ages, with crafts aimed toward kids ages 8 and up.

“When the kids are 8 years old, they can stay here at the library without adult supervision,” she said. “The ‘youngers’ are welcome, but they need supervision.”

Youngsters who participate in such programs probably will learn more in the field of STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

“Really, it’s just an opportunity for kids to come spend time in the library, showing that the library is more than just books,” Marquardson said. “It’s activities, games, all sorts of STEM activities, things like that, to give our community a little bit more to do in the winter.”

Staff also wants the library to be a welcoming space for kids, she said.

“We really want them to feel comfortable coming in here,” Marquardson said.

Ezra and Emmy MacQueen, ages 5 and 3, respectively, waited for about 45 minutes in the library before Monday’s program began.

“I really like these,” Ezra said of the cannonball shooters.

His patience also appeared to have paid off.

“I’m happy now,” Ezra said.

For more information on events at PWPL, visit pwpl.info.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.