People of all ages can get their “read” on in Pierce County Library System’s Summer Reading program, “A Universe of Stories.”

Inspired by the 50^th anniversary of the July 1969 moon landing, the library system (PCLS) is hosting a series of space-themed adult events and activities such as book clubs, paper crafts, altered art, rocket building and escape rooms.

Participants can sign up online at summerreading.pcls.us or at any of the 20 Pierce County Library locations, and then start reading to earn prizes this summer until Aug.31. A couple recommendations of books from librarians are “Universal: A Guide to the Cosmos” (by Brian Cox; two physicists reveal how we can all understand some of the most fundamental questions about our Earth, sun, solar system and the galaxies beyond) and “A Bend in the Stars” (by Rachel Barenbaum; in World War II-era Russia, an ambitious young doctor and her scientist brother race against Einstein to solve one of the greatest mysteries of the universe).

The program also includes presenters, including the Pierce College Science Dome and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium for adult audiences to learn about astronomy and wildlife.

For readers looking for their next book selection, My Next Read—the Library’s online readers’ advisory service—provides personalized book recommendations. Library customers can submit an online form at mynextread.pcls.us.

More information is available at piercecountylibrary.org or the PCLS mobile app, an easy way to search for materials in the library catalog and download e-books. Lightweight e-readers or reading from a smartphone makes it easy to adjust font size and screen brightness. E-books and downloadable audiobooks expire and automatically disappear so there’s never a concern about overdue fees.

Another PCLS program, Outreach Services, takes library services to people who are unable to regularly visit a library or use the library’s services. Additional information is available at piercecountylibrary.org and 253-548-3536.