Mike Fisher as "Fish the Magish" will perform at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, in the Orangeburg County Library Meeting Room.

Performances are free and suitable for children 4 to 12 years of age, accompanied by parents.

"Fish the Magish" offers live exposure to the performing arts, positive social and emotional values, and all programs are developmentally appropriate and full of participation and fun. Fisher is a full-time magician, specializing in magic for children. His comedic, educational presentations include a mix of storytelling, audience participation and magical surprises for everyone.

Children's Librarian Lorene Dennis said a "Fish the Magish" visit a few years ago was well attended and left everyone feeling "magically" happy.

"Mike uses his talents to motivate children to enjoy the library and to read books," she said. "Children want to choose their own material since everyone has different interests. Books allow them to be in control, to make choices, and realize the importance of reading when they visit the library regularly and see adults and other children choosing and reading books and other library materials. The library is a great place to observe readers."

Fisher's visit will also mark the last day that children ages 4 to 12 can sign up for the summer vacation reading program, "Be Creative @ Your Library!" Children can stop by the main library, any branch libraries or the Bookmobile to sign their contract. Contracts outline how many books will need to be read befo

re the end of the program on July 31. Children receive recognition for independent reading, and adults can read to children not yet reading on their own.

Throughout the program, children have chances to receive small incentives through the guessing game or stamps placed on their contract as they visit the library each week. As each child reaches their individual goal, they are rewarded with a reading medal, certificate and a chance to be the final prize winner in their original sign-up location. More than 600 children have signed up for the program throughout the county since registration began on June 22.

Fisher's performances are sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the Horn Foundation, and in part by the Orangeburg County Arts Center and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of S.C.

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