About 150 participants in the Demopolis Public Library summer reading program welcomed a magical visitor to the Theo Ratliff Activity Center Thursday morning. Russell Davis, a magician from Huntsville, wowed the crowd with various card tricks and optical illusions.

Entitled “The Magic of Reading,” the program emphasized the importance of reading and the enjoyment that can be gained from reading as well.

Davis told the crowd that magic tricks can be learned from reading books, thereby motivating aspiring young magicians to read.

Thursday’s magic show was part of an extensive schedule of almost daily activities planned for participants in the children’s summer reading program. So far this summer, the program has hosted “Meet a Dairy Cow” and “Beat @ Ur Best.”

The fun continues through July 24, with activities such as movie days, hemp jewelry making, tie-dying and an “after hours” Wii party.

Kelley Tarpley, director for the children’s summer reading program, said that the program seeks to make reading less about competition and more about enjoyment. “Our goal is to make reading fun and enjoyable for pleasure,” Tarpley said. “[We want] to reach children that normally do not feel the need to read.”

Summer reading programs are available for teens and adults as well. “Our goal is to get adults to read and be able to give them small prizes, especially for our patrons that we have throughout the year,” said Morgan Grimes, head librarian and director of the adult reading program. “We also want to get parents to read so they can be a good example for the children.” Additional information on the children, teen, and adult summer reading programs can be found at www.demopolislibrary.info or by calling 289-1595.