SUMMER READING CLUB CHALLENGE
June 20 – August 26, 2023 | All Ages
This summer, join our Discover Your Summer Reading Club to read and get rewards, enter a raffle for prizes, and more! Click the button below to learn more.
Learn About Summer Reading Club!
summer kickoff party with liam hurley
Brightwood Branch
Monday, June 5 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Children
Come and join us for an energetic show filled with drums, ukuleles, puppets and comedy as we kickoff the start of summer!
summer Reading kickoff
Forest Park Branch
Thursday, June 8 | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Tweens & Teens
Join us at the Forest Park Branch Library for our summer reading kick off! We’ll have games, food and prizes to raffle off! For ages 11-18.
henry the bunny summer Reading kickoff
East Springfield Branch
Saturday, June 10 | 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Children
Meet the adorable and sweet Henry the Bunny! Learn about rabbits and even have the chance to pet him. Some light refreshments will be served.
juneteenth 2nd annual Celebration
Mason Square Branch
Wednesday, June 14 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | All Ages
Join us for our Juneteenth Celebration and Summer Reading Kickoff!
Discover Your Summer Kickoff: Light up the night!
Sixteen Acres Branch
Tuesday, June 20 | Open Hours | All Ages
Join us for the first day of Discover Your Summer with fun activities for all ages!
- For children birth to age 5: Check out the weekly playgroup facilitated by our community partner Home.City.Families.
- For babies through elementary school: Celebrate Eric Carle’s The Very Lonely Firefly! Families can get comfy on our “grass” rug to share the story together then make a firefly puppet to bring home.
- For middle school through adult: Make a cozy paper lantern decoration to enjoy all summer long.
- For everyone: Make your own trail mix – combine your own ingredients for a personalized snack. While supplies last.
- For everyone: Use sidewalk chalk to help make the library ready for summer.
summer solstice festival
East Forest Park Branch
Wednesday, June 21 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM | All Ages
It’s the longest day of the year, so bring the whole family to kick off your summer of fun at the library. Family activities for all ages: Yoga on the lawn, sidewalk chalk art competition, music, games, and more! Sign up for summer reading while enjoying all the festivities.
summer reading field day
Central Library
Saturday, June 24 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Children
Come and join us for a field day to kick off summer reading! We’ll have lots of fun outdoor games and activities, including relay races, water balloons, and jumbo board games. The first 100 kids to sign up for summer reading will get a special goodie bag!
summer reading kickoff
Indian Orchard Branch
Wednesday, June 28 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | All Ages
Kick off your Summer Reading with bubbles and popsicles on our lawn. Inside will be a summer scavenger hunt, a guessing jar, crafts, and free books for all children. Books provided by Book Rich Environments, a program of the National Book Foundation.
Ice Cream Social – Adult Summer Reading Kickoff
Mason Square Branch
Thursday, June 29 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Adults
Join us for an Ice Cream Social for Adults to kick off the 2023 Summer Reading Club! Have a sundae from Friendly’s, and enjoy a librarian performing a storytime for grown folks. Enter a raffle to win prizes, and get a free new book when you sign up for the Club. Don’t miss this fun event for grownups only!
July & August Summer Event Highlights
Music Fun with Tom sieling
Sixteen Acres Branch
Monday, July 10 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Children
East Forest Park Branch
Friday, July 14 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Children
Brightwood Branch
Monday, July 17 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Children
Forest Park Branch
Tuesday, July 18 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Children
Mason Square Branch
Wednesday, July 19 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Children
East Springfield Branch
Saturday, July 22 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Children
Central Library
Monday, July 24 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Children
Indian Orchard Branch
Tuesday, July 25 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Children
Find Your Voice this Summer! Join Tom in this fun, interactive sing-along of favorite kids’ songs guaranteed to get you up and moving! For families.
reptile shows of new england
Brightwood Branch
Thursday, July 13 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Ages 5+
Central Library
Tuesday, August 8 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Ages 5+
Welcome to the wonderful world of reptiles! Learn about the nature and life of these beautiful creatures from professional herpetologists in a fun, safe environment.
An evening of Motown with Personal Touch
Mason Square Branch
Thursday, July 13 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Rain or Shine | All Ages
Bring the family, lawn chairs and a picnic for an unforgettable night of music provided by Personal Touch. They will perform music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Motown Sound, with all of the unmatched glamour and choreography of that era. In the Discovery Garden. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets; a limited number of chairs will be available.
What’s new from Lupa Zoo
East Forest Park Branch
Wednesday, July 26 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Ages 5+
Indian Orchard Branch
Thursday, August 10 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Ages 5+
Sixteen Acres Branch
Thursday, August 17 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Ages 5+
East Springfield Branch
Wednesday, August 23 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Ages 5+
Friends from the Lupa Zoo will be at the library to share their knowledge of our wonderful animal neighbors. This educational show features a variety of animals
Wingmasters: world of Owls
Mason Square Branch
Wednesday, August 2 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Ages 6+
Owls are a species of bird specially adapted for nocturnal hunting, yet most of our understanding of owls has been influenced by folklore and popular culture. Come learn what owls are really about. Wingmasters Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks, licensed raptor rehabilitators and experts, will help us explore the world of these fascinating creatures.
Wingmasters: North American Birds of Prey
East Forest Park Branch
Friday, August 4 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Ages 6+
Birds of Prey, or raptors, are terrific hunters and possess keen eyesight and hearing. Come learn what raptors are all about. Wingmasters Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks, licensed raptor rehabilitators and experts, will help us explore the world of these fascinating creatures.
Union Jack: Beatles Tribute Band
Mason Square Branch
Thursday, August 3 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | All Ages
Twist and Shout! Take a trip back to the Sixties with music by the Fab Four and other British Invasion bands that left a mark on world music. Bring a lawn chair and picnic if you’d like. Food will be available for purchase.