By John Maruskin

Clark County Public Library

Last Saturday, outreach librarian Brad Allard led an origami crane folding class as part of a Thousand Cranes Project he developed for this year’s Adult Summer Reading Program.

The goal of the project is to create 1,000 origami cranes by Aug. 1.

According to Japanese legend, if an individual or a group of people create 1,000 origami cranes with a particular wish in mind, that wish will come true. These days, people from all over the world create and string 1,000 cranes and send them to the Peace Memorial in Japan for an exhibition on International Peace Day, Sept. 21.

If the library completes 1,000 cranes by Aug. 1, we can display the cranes for a few weeks and then send the cranes to Japan in time for International Peace Day. That goal is well within reach because library staff and patrons have made nearly 600 cranes so far.

Since Allard’s class last weekend, staff and family members have made another 500 cranes.

There is a crane-folding station behind the reference desk at the library. On the desk, you will find instructions for folding cranes and origami paper. Folding the first crane is a little tricky, but Allard will be glad to help people learn how to do it.

If you already know how to make origami cranes and you’d like to donate some to the project, bring them in. Four days ago, patron Marie Quick brought in a batch she made at home.

When we complete this project, Clark County will join an international community making a wish for world peace.

Hundreds of the cranes are now hanging by the windows in the library’s reference section. Next time you are in, go back to the reference reading area to take a look. They are beautiful.

And while you are in the reference area, take a look at the drawings done by students from the Clark County Migrant Education Summer Program.

On June 17, I and circulation manager Caleb Diederich — who is a talented visual artist — went to visit the students and help them do an art project.

Since the theme of this year’s adult summer reading program is “A Universe of Stories,” and since this summer is also the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s first walk on the moon, I presented some pictures and stories about imaginary trips to the moon from the first known, Lucian of Samothrace in 2 A.D., up to H.G. Wells’ “First Men in the Moon,” written in 1901.

We then asked the students to imagine a voyage. Their pictures are wonderful. Thanks to Eleanor Ridley, Adrian Treviño, Diego Garcia, Soraida Gabriel, Giovani Gomez, Darious Ridley, Melisa Vertiz and Jamie Huerta for the terrific pictures.

Other programs next week:

— At 2 p.m. Monday, Chair Yoga. Kathy Howard, a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance, teaches the class. There is a $5 charge per class.

— At 2 p.m. Wednesday, Kentucky Picture Show. Kentucky Picture Show presents a 1992 baseball comedy about two sisters who join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amid their growing rivalry. Rated P.G.

— At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Trivia night. The Alex Trebek of trivia, Jeff Gurnee, tests your little gray cells at the Engine House Pizza Pub.

— At 10 a.m. Friday, Write Local. Assert your independence from listless prose.

July 4.

Have a bang-up holiday.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.