Summer is (mostly) here, bringing the hope of warmer weather and sunny afternoons. And just because school is out doesn’t mean reading stops. Many local libraries offer a summer reading program, as well as other fun summer activities.
The Two Harbors Public Library Summer Reading Program began on June 10th, but it’s not too late to join – the program continues until August 1. The reading program is for all ages – kids, teens, and adults. Registration can be done in person at the library or online through a link on the library website. Small prizes such as drink mixes, slime, play dough, stickers, Culver’s and Dairy Queen treats, washi tape, and bookmarks can be earned, depending upon age.
All participants can also enter to win a grand prize for their age category. Prizes include passes to the Great Lakes Aquarium or Adventure Park as well as packs featuring kid favorites Bluey and Duplo; a hammock, Kwik Trip and Target gift cards, an Adventure Park pass, or a Magic Bullet for teens; and a chocolate gift basket, Castle Danger Brewery coupons, a utility wagon, a Kwik Trip gift card, or a North Shore Scenic Railroad pass for adults.
Some library events will occur weekly throughout the summer. LOTS (Learning Opportunities Through Stories) will be held on Mondays in June and July from 9:30-10:30 am. LOTS is a reading program to encourage early literacy, and children get to hear stories, do activities, and take home a free book. Storytime will be held on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:00 a.m., and Game Day for Adults with Community Partners will also be on Wednesdays, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
June 21st from 1:00-3:00 p.m. all ages are invited to learn origami at the library. This event will be offered again July 12. CareerForce Corner will be at the library on June 24th and July 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for adults to gain free advice about job searches, career changes, unemployment insurance, and more.
June 27th, teens ages 12-18 can try the Dragon Hoard Escape Room. Can’t make it in June? The Escape Room will return July 16th. Pre-registration is required. Also on June 27th, journalist Joe Friedrichs will be speaking about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and his new book, Last Entry Point.
Friday, June 28th, elementary-aged kids and their families can learn about fossils with Minnesota Discovery Center’s Hill Annex Paleontology Project’s John Westgaard. The program is hands-on.
Starting in July, on July 2nd kids ages 9-18 are invited to build LEGO Architecture kits. Pre-registration is required. Later that day, musician John Agacki will be presenting a patriotic concert. On July 5th, all ages are invited to draw chalk art outside the library.
July’s Morning Book Circle will be held on the 8th. The book discussed will be Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution by Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner. July 9th and 23rd will feature a tasty event for kids ages 8-18: Snacks Around the World, an event where participants try to guess the country the snack hails from, and rank snacks to determine the world’s best snack.
Teens and adults are invited on July 11, 18, and 25 to try Cricut paper crafts. Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade will be coming to the library July 15 for an interactive children’s concert. Books and Brews will meet at Castle Danger Brewery July 16. The Short and Sweet Book Club meets July 18 to discuss The Song of Hiawatha (Chapter 9).
On July 19th, the library will be holding a birthday party to mark 115 years of the library being open! Library history, cake, memory sharing, and a survey for the library’s future are all on the docket. Jackie Fallon will be returning to the library on July 19 to present about peregrine falcons.
July finishes with a visit from Duluth Children’s Museum staff on July 26th to learn about the science of bubbles, and a teen advisory group meeting will be held later that same day.
The Two Harbors Public Library is a great place to meet friends old and new between the pages and face to face. So enjoy your summer, and be sure to keep reading!
