The Darwin R. Barker Library in the village has expressed an interest in using Barker Common for a summer reading program called Fredonia Reads. This program would encourage Fredonia residents to come out with picnic blankets or lawn chairs and a book to enjoy the newly renovated park, promote community building and literacy.

The dates the Library is requesting are Tuesday, June 21 from 4to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 25 from noon to 2 p.m., July 13 and 20, both Wednesdays, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday July 30 noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, August 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 20, from noon to 2 p.m. Should any of the Saturday dates conflict with the Fredonia Farmers Market, the events will instead be 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and there will be no rain out dates in case of inclement weather.

Other than the Farmers Market, village Clerk Annemarie Johnston said there were no other conflicts with the dates requested by the library. Trustee David Bird said he doesn’t foresee any issues with the Farmers Market, and should many people want to show up and read, the Farmers Market would likely welcome the business.

“I don’t think you’ll see 7,000 people showing up to read,” he said. “And if that does happen, I’m sure the Farmers Market will be more than happy to sell them anything they can.”

Additionally, with how much money has been spent to renovate the park, village Trustee Jon Espersen said that this is exactly the type of thing they’re trying to encourage.

“A lot of money has been spent on the park, let’s get people using it,” he said.

As for more fun things happening in Barker Commons, Bird said there was extra money in the village’s concert budget.

Bird said they hired DJ Majik, who is Jon Maternowski, to hold a street dance, where children can come and dance. Bird said the street would be shut down the night of, and more information would be provided later.