Summer Reading: Books Have HeART
Join us all summer long for exciting programs and events bursting with color, creativity, and fun.
Ages 2 - 6
Little Sprouts Summer Story Time
An engaging hour of stories, songs, and playful puppets—designed to spark early learning, ignite imaginations, and create meaningful moments together.
Tuesdays at 9am & 10:30am
Wednesdays at 10:30am
Register - Registration opens every Thursday for the upcoming week.
Due to limited space and the nature of the events, summer camps, daycares, and groups cannot be accommodated.
Ages 7 - 12
STEAM fun with a creative twist! Each week features hands-on activities, art-inspired experiments, exciting performers, or themed crafts—something new to spark curiosity and creativity.
Registration is required and opens at 2 PM the Friday before each program. Note: Space is limited for some programs due to supply availability.
Due to limited space and the nature of the events, summer camps, daycares, and groups cannot be accommodated.
June 6
The Adventure of the Missing Color
Join Science Heroes on our mission to turn science into an adventure! Through hands-on experiments and fun, interactive stories, we get kids excited about the science that’s all around us as we celebrate the scientists who color our world with art.
Register
June 13
Light and Color Experiments
Explore of how color can play tricks on our brains, and art can be science. Play with color mixing and pointillism and learn the science behind color.
Register
June 20
Out of My Hands Illusions
Join Gerard Tricarico on a mind bending juggling and illusion extravaganza. Be wowed by this mixed media performance, and give your kids a chance to join in on the fun!
Register
June 27
Coding to Draw w/ Dot and Dash
Bring your drawings to life with Dot and Dash, our programmable robots from the library.
Register
July 11
Tie-dyeing with Kitchen Scraps
Create your own tie-dyed bookmark with scraps you can find in your kitchen. Guess what colors come from which foods and create sustainable art.
Register
July 18
Sip, Swirl, and Splatter
Explore watercolor painting for kids with the library staff, while kids sip on juice boxes and learn the basics of watercolor technique.
Register
July 25
Ice Cream Science
Cool off after a summer full of fun programs and make your own ice cream masterpiece while learning about states of matter.
Register
All Ages
Personal Summer Reading Challenge
Make reading your masterpiece this summer! Pick up a goal sheet, jot down your reading plans, and track the books you finish. Bring your completed sheet to the library between July 28 and August 9 to claim a prize—while supplies last!
Hero of Your Story
Explore 15 Polk County Library Cooperative locations in a heroic scavenger hunt from June 2 to August 2! Pick up an adventure map and complete a fun challenge at each stop to earn a unique sticker. Collect all 15 stickers to complete your quest and be entered into a drawing for one of three prize-filled gift baskets—featuring tickets to exciting local attractions and entertainment!