Gorp at the Louisville Free Public Library<br/>(Courtesy of Louisville Free Public Library)Louisville Free Public Library’s Summer Reading Program has returned with this year’s theme, “Wild About Reading.”LPM’s Ayisha Jaffer spoke with library mascots, and Louisville celebrities Gorp and Stick about what readers can expect from the program, their love of libraries and what’s on their own summer reading lists.This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.Ayisha Jaffer: Gorp, for those who don't know your origin story, how did you end up at the Louisville Free Public Library?Gorp: I live in the forest, but one day I went to the artist in residence for the COLLIDER at the library at South Central, and when I got there, the library was so nice to me that they asked me to stay around and help out with the summer reading program. I figured out that I love books, so I just have never left after that, right Stick?Stick: (barks)AJ: Do you two have a favorite spot in the library?G: A lot of times we're at the Northeast Library. There's a whole makerspace there. It’s so fun!AJ: What happens in the makerspace?G: Oh, it's amazing. They have so many machines, and they build things and make things. You can create just about anything your mind can think of.AJ: Summer is pretty much here, which means it's time for the summer reading program. What can we expect this year?G: I'm so glad you brought that up. I know, Stick, you're excited too.S: (barks)G: This year our theme is…are you ready for this Ayisha?AJ: I'm so ready.G: So this year we're wild about reading, which means you have to read some books. Preschoolers will read 20 books, school-age children will read 10 books, and teens will read six books. And then you get prizes! The prize is the coveted red panda plush fanny pack. It's going to be so fun when they wear it back to school this year. I can't wait.AJ: I'm kind of envious. I want to try to join in on the summer reading myself.G: You know, Ayisha, I also have a book-of-the month club where I have a reading group with friends.AJ: What's the book this month?G: Well, this month our theme is “sloth.” I'm currently reading a book called “Go, Sloth, Go!” by Toni Yuly. It's great.AJ: What are your summer reading picks this season?G: I'm also reading this great book called “The Field Guide to Butterflies of North America.” I just love everything about nature, and butterflies right now really have my interest. Aren't they beautiful?I know Stick likes them too. Sometimes we just sit out in the woods, look for butterflies, and then we find them on our guide, so that we can get excited, because now we know what they are.AJ: I need to know, Gorp and Stick, do you have any guilty pleasure reads?G: I think Stick likes to read some scary stories sometimes, but when he does that, it keeps us up all night, so we try to stick to just fun, exciting ones about nature, because otherwise we can't get to bed at night. So books about weather and nature, pine cones. I love anything about pine cones. That's Stick's favorite topic as well.S: (barks)AJ: And I see you have a pine cone with us too.G: I do, actually, Ayisha. I brought this as a gift for you.AJ: Oh, thank you so much, Gorp. I feel so honored.G: I love pine cones so much, but I always like to make sure that I give one to a friend. And because you had us here today, I wanted to make sure I left you with something special.AJ: I'm so glad to be your friend, Gorp and Stick. It means a lot to me.G: That's so sweet. Well, we're just so happy to meet you. We love everything about the radio, and I'm so glad that we get to share this with our friends.AJ: I'm so glad that I have you as friends. For someone who hasn't been to the library in a while, what are they missing?G: There is so much to do at the library. There's clubs, there's fun events, there's so much to do. You can rent anything at the library, from telescopes to drums to board games.Friends, you've got to stop by! It's not just about books. Come see me, and I'll show you all that the library has to offer. ...read more read less