By Alex Smith and Jason Schoonver

newsroom@austindailyherald.com

After students finished lunches at I.J. Holton Intermediate School on Tuesday, several stayed to checkout or page through books, some played games and others made ice cream.

That was just part of what they got to do as part of the annual summer Readers’ Cafe, which is being held this summer for children ages preschool to eighth-grade from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday at I. J. Holton Intermediate and Austin High School, the same sites as the summer lunch and breakfast program.

“I think it’s a lovely addition to the lunch,” volunteer Diane Sherman said.

In 2008, a few teachers got together to offer reading opportunities in the summer beyond the library program. They created the Readers’ Cafe, which has grown from just reading to games and weekly activities.

Along with games on Tuesday, Mower County 4-H helped students use salt, ice and ingredients to make ice cream.

“It’s an opportunity to interact with some really fun activities,” Community Education and Communications Director Amy Baskin said.

Reader’s Cafe is a free book exchange with a wide range of books available to read and check out.

The cafe relies on volunteer help, which they are accepting applicants for.

“We’ve had some amazing volunteers who have helped us keep it going,” Baskin said.

The Readers’ Cafe is free and no registration is required.