For kids wanting to tap into their creativity beyond paper and glue, the Rolling Hills Consolidated Library has the answer. The calendar of free summer crafts at the library branches includes everything from pirates to robots.

Assistant children’s librarian Patti Swartz says the library staff wanted to offer crafts that were a bit unusual, things that the children wouldn’t have done anywhere else.

“We’re trying to tie it in with what the (summer reading program) theme is, which is ‘Be creative,’” she says. “They’re things that might take a little more effort on their part to produce when they come to the class.”

The Belt branch of the library offers both classes geared toward younger children, held on Tuesdays, and classes for teens, held on Thursdays. The Savannah branch offers classes on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Times vary, so call for information.

Upcoming children’s classes include sand castle crafts, where they will learn the fundamentals of building sand castles; making lunch-bag houses (like gingerbread houses, only made out of lunch bags); pirate crafts, which will include making a treasure chest and map; and bag and box crafts, where children will make gift bags and boxes.

For the teens, there will be an altered art class, where they can make jewelry out of an old domino or bamboo tile; a glass and bead-making workshop; and a cartooning class.

And while not really a craft, there will be a workshop on how to design your own Web site, which Ms. Swartz thinks will be really popular.

“We’ve even had adults ask if they could come in and monitor, because they want to see how to do it,” she says.

There is no limit on how many children can participate in each class, but registration is required. Ms. Swartz says parents should call the library a few days before the class to register their child.

For a complete schedule of crafts and other library activities (such as Movie Mondays and Wii gaming) visit www.rollinghills.lib.mo.us.