Next Level: Summer Reading
It is almost time for the Fergus Falls Public Library’s Summer Reading Kick Off event! While teachers and students have a countdown for the last day of school, library staff always have a countdown to the first day of their Summer Reading Program. The busiest time of the year for public libraries is during the summer months when kids are on break from school and families are looking for fun (and cool) places to go with their children. We love seeing the increase in library visits and the excitement summer reading brings to patrons. Our theme, “Level Up at Your Library!,” is the perfect theme to engage patrons of all ages with awesome library activities this year.
Mark your calendars for Monday, June 2; the official first day of Summer Reading registration at the Fergus Library. We will have a busy day full of delicious treats, games, activities, and more! Starting at 10:00am, patrons can register in person and receive their gameboard of activities and reading challenges. There are four different gameboards for different age groups, so everyone can register – whether you are a baby or 102 years old. Community members can also take part in our weekly challenges, which will be posted at a table as you walk inside the library’s front doors. We will have a different challenge on display each week, so make sure to visit and participate for a chance to win extra prizes. Children (teens and younger) can also receive a bonus treat of a sticker or tootsie roll by finding our hidden mascot, Waldo, in the children’s area every week.
In addition to our outdoor chalk, games, and activities, we will also have two artists visiting from the Springboard for the Arts “Ready Go” mobile engagement project in West Central Minnesota. These artists will bring their “Coozie-up Cart” and teach participants about textile waste while designing their own upcycled “coozie” using leftover fabric and damaged garments. Erika and Jess will be at the library with their project cart from 1-4pm on June 2. Stop by to learn and create your own custom project. A popular feature of our kick off event is, of course, the ice cream social. There will be two different times for families to attend, 11am – 1pm or 4 – 6pm, and receive a free ice cream cup or popsicle. The Friends of the Library host this delicious event with the generous support from Service Food. Last year, 600 ice cream treats were given to attendees!
Last week, Arielle shared about youth programming for middle-grade and teen students. This week, I get to share about children’s programming for the younger patrons of our community. Summer Storytime will begin Tuesday, June 3, and go through Thursday, July 24. There are three different weekly sessions, depending on the child’s age. Baby/Toddler Storytime (Ages 0-2) is Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30-10:00am, Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5) is Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:00am, and Evening Storytime (Ages 0-5) is Thursday nights from 6:00-6:30pm.
We are excited to host The Science Crew, a group from Minneapolis, as they bring “3-2-1 Blast Off!” to the Fergus library. Participants will experience a hands-on science program designed to ignite curiosity and inspire future astronauts. Kids will explore the journey of rockets into space through dynamic activities and have an out-of-this-world adventure. There will be two groups to register for: Entering Kindergarten – 3rd grade and entering 4th – 6th grade. Both sessions are full, but there is still a waiting list for the 4th – 6th grade group if you are interested.
Lunch Bunch Jr. is a great book club for children entering 2nd and 3rd grade. Kids can bring their lunch to the library on Wednesdays in June and July and listen to me read from a chapter book each week. “Finding Serendipity,” this year’s book, is about a brave girl who dives into a magical world of stories—facing pirates, danger, and her imagination—to rescue her missing author mother. It is a thrilling tale of courage, creativity, and the magic of words. Participants will get their own copy of the book to read and take home at the end of the program. There is still room, so if your child is interested please register.
Every summer, we host a Viking Library System sponsored program made available with monies from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. This year, we are excited to have “Birds of a Feather” musicians, Ann Torralba and Suzi Shelton, perform their original songs in an upbeat concert for all ages. This free event is on Monday, June 23, at 6:30pm. Do not miss this chance to experience the magic of live music!
Finally, we will be hosting “Fun Fridays!” at the library in June and July. As the title indicates, we will have a variety of fun, engaging events for families of all ages to enjoy…on Fridays. Every other week, multiple giant games will be set up in the Community Room for anyone to play. Games like, “Sorry!”, “Clue”, “Jenga”, “Life”, “Uno”, and more will be available. These giant games have been one of the most popular things during our summer reading outreach visits. The kids are always excited to see the original “Sorry!” pawn and then its giant version. The other Fridays will consist of Lego Club, BINGO with prizes, and we will be showing a recent release of a popular kid’s book made into a movie. Check the library’s website for the movie title, which is unlisted here due to copyright restrictions. Registration is not required for any of these Friday programs – just pop in and have fun!
For further information and registration links, please visit our website or Facebook page. With something for every age and interest, this summer’s library events are more than just reading—they are a reason to come together and celebrate the joy of stories. Read, connect, grow, and “level up” at the Fergus Library this summer!
Krista Kugler is the Children’s Services Librarian at the Fergus Falls Public Library