This summer, Elizabeth Taber Library patrons won’t have to leave the beach to pick up a good read.

As part of the “Books at the Beach” program, a selection of beach reads will be available for checkout at Silvershell Beach. The books will be carted down twice a week now until August on Mondays and Thursdays from 2 to 3 p.m.

“A lot of people come to the library after going to the beach anyways,” Library Director Libby O’Neill said. “I thought this program would be a good way to bring the library outside and connect with the community.”

O’Neill said she came up with the idea and brought it to the Marion Recreation Department, which operates the beach.

Through a partnership, the department loans one of its vans to be filled with an assortment of books and driven to Silvershell.

O’Neill said patrons have the option of checking out a book or may buy books from a used books bin. New patrons can also register for a library card at the beach.

The program started on Monday as O’Neill and Children’s Librarian Rosemary Grey sat behind a table with a number of books readers could choose from.

For more information, call the Elizabeth Taber Library at 508-748-1252.