Free events and activities at all library branches this summer

Kawartha Lakes Public Library invites the community to enjoy a variety of free events and activities at all 14 library branches this summer.

“We’ve come up with a really great line up that will inspire kids of all ages, interests and abilities to explore and be creative, both during their library visit and afterwards at home,” says Marieke Junkin, manager of programming and public services. “Our goal is to make reading and self-led learning fun, all while making a visit to the local library a great way for kids to spend time with family and caregivers.”

What’s happening at the library this summer?

• Summer Reading Club Passport: Children of any reading level are encouraged to sign up for the Summer Reading Club Passport program. The passport will take kids on a summer-long journey that encourages them to keep reading and take part in special library programs and activities. Children can bring their passport to their local branch each week to collect beads and special tags that can be strung on a necklace that they can proudly wear to show off their love for reading.
• Special Summer Reading Club: Reading club programs will be held at all 14 branches. This year’s theme is “Explore”. Library staff will lead children ages 4 to 10 through fantastic games, activities and crafts that promote a love of reading with lots of take away ideas for them to explore at home. Check the library’s Events Calendar for more details and program times.
• Pinnguaq Association Science and Technology Workshops: In partnership with Pinnguaq Association, we’ll be hosting two free science and technology workshops at every library branch this summer. Kids aged 6 and up will get hands-on learning experience with robots and engineering projects.
• Updated StoryWalks: Our StoryWalks continue this summer with new titles being put in place at several outdoor locations. Families can go for a nice walk around local sites while finding and reading pages of a kid’s book placed along the route. It’s a great way for kids to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. This summer the library will be hosting StoryWalks at 11 locations across Kawartha Lakes.
• New Weekly Crafts and Curiosity Crates: Kids are invited to visit their local branch every week to make a variety of craft projects and discover new and exciting ideas. A new craft will be available every week and each branch will also be hosting seven different “Curiosity Crates” over the summer. Curiosity Crates hold unique and interesting treasures that will get kids wondering and wanting to explore. Other crates will challenge kids’ building and creativity skills. Both of these programs are free and families and caregivers are welcome to drop in at any time to enjoy them.
• Branch Scavenger Hunts: Each branch will continue to have a Scavenger Hunt that has a variety of hidden images lurking about the branch waiting to be discovered by kids.
• Special Events: There are a variety of exciting special events planned at each branch this summer. Children can learn to drum, pick up new art skills, meet a variety of animals up close, and take in some puppet and magic shows. Fire trucks, police cruisers, ambulances, garbage trucks and snow plows will be visiting branches throughout the summer. The community is invited to come and meet different members of the Kawartha Lakes Emergency Response teams and learn how these various service vehicles operate. Dates and times for all special events are listed on the library’s online Events Calendar.
• Pop-up StoryTimes: Stay tuned to the library’s social media platforms (follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for some exciting “pop-up” events such as StoryTime programs taking place at some of our local parks and beaches.
• Programming for Teens and Adults: The library has made sure that it’s not just kids who are having fun this summer. Our “Reading Bingo” for adults features challenges that will encourage anyone looking to boost their summer reading. More information about the library’s Reading Bingo is available on the library website. The summer edition of the library’s Teen Subscription Box offers a specially curated selection of special summer goodies as well as a custom made reading list for each registrant.  More information about the Teen Subscription Box program is on the library website.

Online registration for the Summer Reading Club opens on June 19. Families can register in-person at their local branch starting on June 24. Registrants will get a goody bag with treats and program information. Children who sign up early for the Summer Reading Club will get a ballot to enter a draw to win one of two exciting prizes.

For more information on these and other library programs visit the Kawartha Lakes Public Library website or contact your local library branch.