In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Tuesday, staff at Western Pocono Community Library hosted five readings through Facebook Live.

Read Across America, which is held annually on or near March 2, “gets kids excited to read,” said library program coordinator Ashley Burney, who hosted the 9 a.m. reading.

The National Education Association launched Read Across America Day on March 2, 1998. Since its inception, it has coincided with the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, who was born in 1904. Better known as Dr. Seuss, he wrote and illustrated children’s books.

Burney read “Green Eggs and Ham,” which youth services coordinator Pam DeNardo said was her favorite book by Dr. Seuss.

Library Director Patti Weiss read “Horton Hears a Who!” which is longer than most other Dr. Seuss books and has more tongue-twisting rhyming in it.

As for her favorite Dr. Seuss book, “it’s a tie between ‘Horton Hears a Who!’ and ‘There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!’?” she said.

His books included 79 imaginary inventions.

Visitors to the library may pick up the Dr. Seuss STEAM Invention Challenge kit, which is a baggie containing items such as straws, popsicle sticks, plastic cup, bamboo chopsticks, netting and Bubble Wrap.

Burney and DeNardo came up with the idea for this monthlong project for all ages.

The two built Junker, a creature who has a plastic bowl for a hat and spoons for arms. He makes shoelaces from the junk he eats, according to the photo description inside the baggie.

Participants can make their own Junker or come up with something entirely new and then send a photo and name of their invention to wpcl2@ptd.net by March 31.

In the children’s area, a bulletin board has been decorated for the occasion and a bunch of Dr. Seuss books are standing up on the shelf below, including “Bartholomew and the Oobleck,” “If I Ran the Circus” and “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

Normally, the library hosts Dr. Seuss themed story hours and other events through the week, where kids can come in and participate in person. Due to the pandemic, the event could only occur virtually this year.

“This week we not only celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, but also how important reading is throughout our entire life,” Weiss said. “Early childhood literacy is critical, especially during a pandemic.”

The library is offering more programs via Zoom now than it had in the past.

“Each program has a book component. We are trying to get the kids excited about the act of reading,” Weiss said.

Programs include Toddler Rhythm at 10 a.m. Wednesdays; Yoga and Mindfulness for ages 6-12 on the second Wednesday of the month at 12:30 p.m.; and Tween Time for ages 8-12 on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. More programs are listed on their Facebook page, along with a meeting ID and password for each.

Weiss admitted that virtual programming can be somewhat of a challenge “because the kids and parents are facing digital and screen time fatigue.”

When the weather gets warmer, there will be outside events each week, she said. The summer reading program will likely begin virtually and include some outdoor programs.

For now, the lower level of the library - where the walking track and classrooms are - remains closed. The upper level is open for browsing; however, people are encouraged to limit their time inside and must sign up ahead of time to use the computers.