Hey guys!  Just like everything else lately, Summer Reading is going to work differently this year.  Since we can’t have all of you come to the library this summer, we are going virtual to log your reading and we’ve put together a packet of things for you to do at home.  

Our theme this summer is Once Upon a Summer Reading.  Bring on the fairy tales, folk tales, and myths!   

Virtual Program on Beanstack

This year we are using cool new software called Beanstack, if you click this link, you’ll be able to sign up for our all online Summer Reading Program. Beanstack is easy to use but if you have trouble, take a look at this help page. As you read books and complete activities you’ll earn Badges! Completing badges will earn you tickets that you can put towards earning $20 gift cards for some cool businesses around Saline County, like Just Ice Cream, Pottery Worx, and more!

We are still giving out prizes this year! You’ll get a prize for day 10 (a tote-ally awesome tote bag), day 25 (super cute teal t-shirt), and day 40 (book bucks or an SCL, BPA free, water bottle!).  

We have put together a children’s activity bag that you can pick up from the library when you pick up holds.  You can also access the printable material here to print out at home.  The packet will include materials to make props for retelling the weekly stories on your own and ideas and some materials for additional activities based on the stories.  The June stories are The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, The Little Red Hen, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. 

For kids ages 6-12, Miss Jessica and Mrs. Wendy had planned very similar Fairy Tale STEM programs so we’ve combined them to make an at home and online program called Fairytale STEAM Team that you can scale up or down based on the abilities and skills of your kids.  We put together an activity bag of materials that you can pick up at the library when you pick up holds.  You can also access the printable material here to print out at home.  You will need these activity kits to earn some of the badges on Beanstack. 

There will be one activity bag for June and one for July.  The packets include directions for a STEM activity each week, materials for three (3) of the STEM activities, and some fun activity sheets.  Each week will focus on a single story for the STEM activity and activity sheets.  

Program Schedule for Kids

Mondays at 3:00: Performers!

Every Monday we will release the link for videos from these special performers on our website and Facebook page! 

June 1: One Man Circus
Enjoy this special video of Jason D’Vaude’s One Man Circus act! Comedic juggling, fire, and balancing acts include precarious stunts, sharp objects, and a dash of danger – all with a smile and a laugh. This performance is fantastic for all audiences! 

June 8: Mömandpöp’s Meet the Shapes
Imagine if shapes could talk? Sing?? Dance?!?? Preschoolers, toddlers, and babies love Mömandpöp, and they will love getting to know the shapes with Mömandpöp’s colorful costumes and catchy original music.

June 15: Animology
Learn how our animal friends inspired some of our favorite stories from modern fantasy to classic mythology! 

June 22: Hampstead Stage – Alice in Wonderland
This summer the talented actors of Hampstead Stage bring you a performance of Alice in Wonderland. You may enjoy this performance again and again… for the next 3 days only! 

Starting June 22-24th, you can view this video by using this link and the password SALINE17. The accompanying activity guide can be found here.

June 29: Nitro Joe Science Show
This is one of the most entertaining and interactive science shows that you will ever see! Nitro Joe’s energy and enthusiasm will keep audiences of any age fully engaged. 

July 6: Fancyful Fairytales
Enjoy a special performance from some of your favorite princesses! At 3:00 PM you will see Cinderella and Belle & at 6:00 PM come back to see crowd favorites, Anna and Elsa! 

July 13: Magic Mr. Nick
Don’t miss this terrific magic show from award winning children’s magician, Magic Mr. Nick!

July 20: Animology
For our last performer of the summer, fan favorite, Animology, will be back with even more animals that have inspired some of our favorite stories!

Mondays at 10:30 AM on Zoom: Live Interactive Storytime

Mrs. Sara will host a live Zoom storytime featuring the story for that week retold with props.  You will need to register for the Zoom storytimes through our calendar. Registration opens the week before the storytime. There is no limit on registration, but we have to send you the link to join the storytime. So that you are prepared to sing along, visit the calendar link to see the songs and rhymes she will use that week. 

Tuesdays at 10:30 AM on Facebook: Fairytale STEAM Story

We will post a video on Facebook of Mrs. Wendy storytelling the current week’s story. The activities in the take home packet are designed to go with each week’s story.

Wednesdays at 3:00 PM on Zoom: Fairytale STEAM Activity

Ms. Jessica will host a live Zoom program with a rotation of great activities.  In June, the program will feature science experiments, art, a scavenger hunt, and a storytelling activity.  These programs will be registration only and space is limited.  You will be able to register a week in advance from the calendar on our website.  In June, we will work with Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Riding hood, and Rapunzel.   

Fridays at 10:30 AM Storytime on Facebook

We will post a recorded video of Mrs. Sara’s storytime featuring a twisted version of the week’s fairytale.  The songs and rhymes for this storytime are also linked on our calendar.  

Fridays at 3:00 PM Storytime on Facebook:Cuentos y Canticos

¡Hola amigos! Presentamos cuentos y cánticos con señorita Jessica.  

This will be an entirely Spanish language storytime that is pre-recorded and posted on Facebook.

Saturdays at 3:00 PM on Zoom: Harry Potter Book Club

Grades 5 through 9 only, registration required

Each week we will focus on one of the books in the Harry Potter series. Join Ms. Jessica, Ms. Jenn, and Ms. Sarah Beth on Zoom for trivia, discussion, and a fun activity with other fellow Harry Potter enthusiasts. Cancelled Saturday, July 4