The school year is almost over, and the temperatures are starting to signal that summer is at our door. At the Crawfordsville District Public Library we are busy preparing for a season of reading fun, and exciting activities to go with it. And we are starting with a bang!
On Tuesday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. come to the library to celebrate the start of our summer programs. Our Summer Reading Kick-Off celebration will have music with DJ Billy Joe Jive, games and prizes for all ages, and yummy food for purchase from some of our favorite local food trucks. From cornhole to ring toss as well as face painting and a scavenger hunt, we will have something to please everyone … Even limbo! We hope to host our party at CDPL’s parking lot, and if it rains, we’ll celebrate indoors at the lower level in the library. On the 28th you may also register for our summer reading programs at the library. We will have reading challenges for all ages.
Children up through the age of 10 may join the summer reading program, “The S’more You Read, The S’more You Know.” They will receive a chart about camping and earn charms to place on a bracelet for their time read. Once all the reading is completed and five charms are earned, the elementary children will earn a t-shirt and a book to keep. The preschoolers will earn a book bag and a book to keep.
For even more fun here are three optional challenges children may choose to complete for extra prizes. Each day the children may find The S’More in the library and enter a weekly drawing to win a small prize. There will be picture searches at the library for children to find pictures about camping. Children may also make a camping craft each week at the library.
There is a summer reading program for teens too! Anyone ages 11-18 may join “S’more Reading” to keep track of time spent reading. Teens may choose a prize from the treasure chest and place tickets in a bucket for weekly and grand prize drawings.
Readers who are over the age of 18 may join the “Adventure Begins at Your Library” summer reading program. You may register in person at the Adult Services desk on the 2nd floor or online at cdpl.beanstack.com — you can log on to a computer or download the (free) Beanstack app. If you already have an account from previous reading programs, you do not need to create a new one, just log into your account and register for the program.
After you register, all you need to do is read for a minimum of one hour every week to earn a free book and enter our weekly prize raffles. Raffle prizes include adventure-themed gift cards and passes to places in the community. If you complete all six weeks of reading, you may enter our grand prize drawing. Looking for some extra summer fun? Complete our bonus activity challenges to earn extra raffle tickets.
Along with our reading challenges, we also have events and activities running all summer. Storytimes will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays for babies, at 10 a.m. Wednesdays for toddlers and 10 a.m. Thursdays for preschoolers. On Fridays, at 10 a.m., we will be doing activities by the pavilion for all ages (chalk, bubbles, painting, sand, tie-dying and games). In addition, we will have crafts and fun activities for elementary students on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. Registration is required for these activities. There will be some family programs planned as well. Adults may join our “Naturalist Series” or participate in our “Summer Art Series.” Check our website calendar at cdpl.lib.in.us for more information about these opportunities and more. You can also call us at 765-362-2242 with any questions or to sign up for a specific activity.
CDPL’s Summer Reading Programs end July 9. All paper reading logs must be returned to the library by 8:30 p.m. that day. Beanstack reading time will close at midnight on July 9.
We hope to see you this summer (if not before)!
Ivette de Assis-Wilson is the Adult Services Department Manager at CDPL. Karen Record is the Youth Services Department Manager at CDPL.
