The library is officially prepping for Summer Reading 2019! 

Starting on June 3rd, Camp Summer Reading goes to space for a summer full of storytimes, special performers and so much more! 

Registration starts on June 3rd. When you register, remember to pick up your minute tracker to keep up with how many minutes you read everyday! Set a goal and earn prizes for reaching those goals! Every week that you meet your goal, you can enter your name in our weekly drawing for a chance to win a terrific prize! Minute trackers must be turned in to your department weekly in order to be eligible for that week’s drawing. 

In addition to the weekly drawings, you’re also guaranteed to get a prize after completing Week 4 and Week 8! The last day to turn in your card is July 27th! 

Of course, one of the most exciting things about Summer Reading is all of the programs! Check out the schedule below or download the information flyer here. 

Special Programs for Everyone to Enjoy (1:00 PM in Bryant, 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM in Benton)

Monday, June 3rd – Nitro Joe Science Show

Monday, June 10th – Magician Marty Boone

Monday, June 17th – Fancyful Fairytales

Monday, June 24th – Animology

Monday, July 1st – momandpop Variety Show

Monday, July 8th – Dance Party with Ms. Celia

Monday, July 15th – Fancyful Fairytales

Monday, July 22nd – Animology

Ages 0-4

Thursdays

Play to Learn (ages 0-4) in Benton at 10:30 AM
We will provide ways to engage with your child in fun and meaningful ways!

Baby and Me (ages 0-2) in Benton at 9:30 AM
Caregivers and their infants can enjoy songs, rhymes, fingerplays, stories and play.

July 25

Baby Prom (ages 0-4) in Benton at 10:00 AM
Celebrate the end of summer with a family dance party!

Ages 5-8

Space Explorers: Tuesdays in Bryant at 10:30 AM and Wednesdays in Benton at 3:00 PM
Do a different fun activity every week: STEM, art, building and escape rooms! 

Family Storytime

Wednesdays in Bryant at 10:30 AM and Fridays in Benton at 10:30 AM
Join your favorite librarians for a silly storytime full of songs, stories and props! This is for all ages, although kids between the ages of 3 and 7 will enjoy it most. 

Tweens ages 9-12

Awesome Astronauts: Tuesdays in Bryant at 10:30 AM and Wednesdays in Benton at 3:00 PM

Week One: Building
Use blocks to build your own space ships!

Week Two: Breakout Room
Solve the puzzles to survive on a new planet!

Week Three: Create
Make space-themed creations with perler beads!

Week Four: Scavenger Hunt
Complete a scavenger hunt by gathering clues hidden around the library.

Week Five: Engineering
Work in teams to build a space lander that will keep your astronauts safe.

Week Six: Breakout Room
Solve puzzles to repair your spaceship and return home.

Week Seven: Create
Miss Stef will guide you in creating an original painting

Week Eight: Rockets
3-2-1 BLAST OFF!!! Build and launch your own mini rocket!

Teens ages 13-18

Thistlebryt School of Magic – Tuesdays at 4:00 PM in Benton
Welcome back to year three of Thistlebryt! Join your friends in Sparkleflash, Diamond Dove, Fragglezag or Sirena for another magical summer. Our library has been invaded by a sinister presence. Play games, make crafts and solve riddles to help save the library! If you love Harry Potter, this is for you!

RPG Space Quest – Thursdays at 4:00 PM in Bryant
It’s graduation day at the Institute of Celestial Knowledge (ICK), a galactic organization with a mission of peacefully exploring the far reaches of space – but the far reaches of space aren’t always peaceful. It’s up to you to find a crew and chart your own course through the stars! Don’t get imploded or pirated along the way…

Summer Saturdays

Mingling Mommies

June 1 and July 6 at 10:30 AM in Benton
Baby play date for ages 6-24 months! 

Trackless Train

June 15th at 9:30 AM in Bryant
Come take a train ride at the Bryant library!

Winston the Pony

July 20th at 10:30 AM in Benton
Listen to stories by Nancy Pruitt and meet her animal friends!

Puppy Tales

June 8th and July 13th in Benton – June 15th and July 20th in Bryant at 10:30 AM
Read to a dog! Ages 5-10

Little Rock Dog Training

June 29th in Benton at 10:30 AM
Watch these amazing dogs perform acts of agility! All ages

Adults ages 18 and older

48-Day Film Project

The 48-Day Film Project will allow teams to create a short film to be shown at the 48-Day Film Festival on July 25th in Benton.

June 3rd at 6:00 PM
Required meeting of team leaders/sponsors for any team planning to enter a film in the SCL 48-Day Film Festival.

July 22nd by 7:45 PM
Your completed film must be turned in at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library on (or before) July 22nd by 7:45 PM.

July 25th at 6:00 PM
We will host a film festival to view all of the project entries! Winners get a prize!

English Language Class

June 6 & June 20 at 6:30 PM in Benton
English, to be taught in a fun and interactive way by Laura Eriksen. Laura is a certified ESOL teacher. 

Blood Drive

June 8th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Benton.
Healthy individuals who are 18 years-old and weigh at least 125 pounds are encouraged to donate blood.When you give blood, you’ll feel good about saving someone else’s life. Who knows, it might be your friend, co-worker or even, a member of your own family.

Buried Lives: The Enslaved People of George Washington’s Mount Vernon

June 18 at 6:00 PM in Benton
Carla McClafferty, author of Buried Lives: The Enslaved People of George Washington’s Mount Vernon will be here to discuss her book and sign your copies!

Thursday Night Making on Thursdays at 6:00 PM in Benton

June 13th: Galaxy Bath Bombs 

June 20th: Moon Rocks

June 27th: Constellation Flashlights

July 11th: Constellation Jar Luminary

July 18th: Dreamcatcher

Tolkien Interactive Movie Day 

June 15th at 11:00 AM in Benton
In honor of the new Tolkien movie coming out, we’re hosting a Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring watch party with snacks! The movie will be followed by a book vs. movie discussion. 

KonMari Method™ Workshop

June 25th at 10:00 AM in Bryant, 1:30 PM in Hot Springs Village and 6:00 PM in Benton
Sue Fehlberg, Arkansas’ only certified KonMari Method™ consultant and owner of the Tidy Nest, will be here to provide tips, answer questions and demonstrate folding techniques that will help you “spark joy” in your home! 

Harry Potter Night!

June 28th at 5:45 PM in Benton
The time has come for the adults to have a Harry Potter night! Join us for a fun night of trivia, wand-making and more! 

SCL Con!

July 27th at 10:00 AM in Benton
Celebrate the end of summer at the library! Come dressed in costume for a day of superhero/comic book fun!