2023 Program: Find Your Voice!
June 1st – July 21st
Program for both Early Literacy (Birth through Preschool) and Children (Kindergarten – 5th Grade)
Read to Earn Prizes!
For summer 2023, we’re challenging you to explore your favorite hobbies (or new ones!) and express yourself.
Each week we’ll have activities based on these topics, like messy art, music and movement, performing, and more.
The reading log works like a Bingo Board. Complete horizontal rows to earn raffle tickets.
Finish the whole board to earn an extra raffle ticket (total of 6) and a free book to keep!
Take a look at this year’s raffles:
Summer Reading Events
To fit the theme of “Find Your Voice,” our programs are wide ranging.
Please note the LOCATION of each program so you don’t miss it by going to the wrong place.
Story Time – Ages 5 and under
Wednesdays at 10:30am
Library Children’s Department
Messy Art Mondays
Mondays from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
June 5 – July 17
Library Meeting Rooms
Stroller Strong: Stroller-based Fitness
Tuesdays, June 6th – July 18th from 9:15-10:15am
Start at the library front doors
Note: not held on July 4
Music & Movement
Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.
June 7 – July 19
Central Gardens of North Iowa
Lego Day at the Library
Second Tuesday of the Month 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
June 13, July 11, August
Library Meeting Room
Casual Chess
4th Tuesday of the Month 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
June 27, July , August
Library Meeting Room
Chalk Our Walk
Thursday, June 1 & Friday, June 2
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Outside the library front doors
Age of Chivalry
Thursday, June 8th at 10:30am
Library Meeting Room
Jonathan May – Magician
Thursday, June 15 at 1:00pm
Library Meeting Room
Instrument Petting Zoo
Thursday, June 22 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Library Meeting Room
Interactive Movie Monday: The Little Mermaid
Monday, June 26 at 1:00pm
Library Meeting Room
Jester Puppets: Fairy Tales (Unhinged)
Thursday, June 29th at 10:30am
Library Meeting Room
Tim Read: My Very Silly Monster
Thursday, July 6th at 10:30 a.m.
Library Meeting Room
Grout Museum: Super Cold
Monday, July 10th at 10:30 a.m.
Library Meeting Room
Find Your Voice Family Night
Wednesday, July 12th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Library Children’s Department
ISU Clover Kids: Books for Cooks
*Registration Required*
6 Sessions – Tuesdays & Thursdays
July 25 – August 10
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Library Meeting Room
Story Time in the Gardens
Wednesdays in August at 10:30am
Central Gardens of North Iowa
Thank you to our partners for making
Summer Reading special!
The Library’s Summer Reading Program
is graciously sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Funding is mostly raised through their memberships and the
used book sales at the library.
Learn more about the Friends of the Library by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I sign up?
A: You can register your child(ren) at the Children’s Desk downstairs in the library starting June 1st!
Q: Can I register online?
A: Not this year. Because of how our program is structured, it’s not conducive to online tracking. Stop by the desk to register!
Q: Why read during the summer?
A: On average, children lose about two months (!) worth of learning over the summer if they don’t read. It’s nicknamed the “Summer Slide” and can accumulate over the years. That means that by middle school, if a child doesn’t work to retain what they’ve learned, they could be more than 2 years behind their classmates! The good news is: Summer Slide can be prevented! Reading (for enjoyment!) just 20 minutes a day helps children retain what they’ve learned throughout the school year and helps them to start their fall semester more successful. This is especially important this year as students will be away from their classrooms longer.
Reading isn’t the only way to beat the summer slide: try cooking, planting a garden or listening to audio books!
Q: Can I complete the program more than once?
A: No. Each participant may only complete their program once over the course of the summer.
Q: Do we need to be present to win the prize drawings?
A: No. We will do the grand prize drawings during the last week of July, after the program has ended. If you win, you will be notified to pick up the prize at the library. Prizes not picked up by the end of August are forfeited.
