Public Library Summer Programs

The end of the school year can be joyous for school kids. Until they start complaining about how bored they are. Without a plan, summer can seem like an endless void to fill.

Look no further than the local branch of your public library for fun, instructional programs for the kids this summer, and family events, too. Each county in The 330 has a main library and several branches, so there’s bound to be some library summer fun near you.

Akron-Summit County Main Library

Mind, Body & Sole: On Your Mark, Get Set…Read!

Keep your mind and body active this summer with the Akron-Summit County Public Library’s reading/wellness experience for the whole family that runs from June 6-July 30. Receive a free reading/exercise log when you register, then read, bike, walk, and play your way to a free T-shirt and other great prizes. Find more information and a resource list at www.akronlibrary.org, or go to 60 S. High Street and talk to Carolyn Burrier, Youth Services Coordinator. All 17 branch locations will offer similar programs, so find the one that fits your family.

Medina County District Library

Medina Public Library’s Summer Reading theme this year is Make, Create, Discover, Learn! Programs will cater to science, technology, art, electronics, and math, including robotics and cooking programs. Kids are asked to read for at least 20 minutes per day for 30 days. After 10 days, they’ll get to pick a prize from the treasure box. After 20 days, they’ll win another prize, and after 30 days they’ll win a free book. Special reading lists and prizes are available for teens, as well. All programs at the Medina County libraries are free. Visit www.mcdl.info/summerreading for details, or go to mcdl.info for the branch nearest you to learn more.

Portage County—Kent Free Library

Kids of all ages can find fun summer activities at the Kent Free Library. From the end of May to the end of July, Story Time captivates babies, toddlers, tweens and families with tales on various topics. Emerging shutterbugs in grades five through eight who enter the 9th Annual Photo Contest by picking up an entry form and rules in the Children’s Room, beginning June 1, will see their photos displayed in July. Other diversions include crafts and experiments for tweens, board games for teens, the prize-filled Summer Reading Program and Friday Movies for all ages. Check out kentfreelibrary.org for more details, or contact Shelley Hall, Youth Services Manager, in the library at 312 W. Main St, 330-673-4414.

Stark County District Library

Calling all tech enthusiasts, crafters, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, authors, and artists! Stark Library celebrates you all at their first annual Stark Mini Maker Faire® on May 6. Contact Marianna DiGiacomo at 330-452-0665 or mdigiacomo@starklibrary.org if you want to exhibit, or just come to the event to see the new dedicated Maker Space and explore the technology Smart Spot. Other summer events include free seeds from the Heirloom Seed Bank partnership with Stark County Master Gardener Volunteers through June 15 and the Summer Reading Challenge from June 6 to July 30. Visit starklibrary.org for all the details on these and other summer library fun at all 10 Stark Library locations.

Wayne County Public Library

The seven branches of the Wayne County Library all have great activities in store this summer. The Wooster branch features a Pokemon Trading Card Club and PAWS to Read, where kids can share a book with a therapy pet. Kids looking to improve listening or teamwork skills at the West Salem Branch can express themselves at Theater Is a Team Sport. The Dalton and Creston branches include the whole family in their Whiz Bang Science of Sports event. Educational artist and teacher Jeff Nichols will spin stories while teaching simple draw-along techniques at the Rittman branch. Visit www.wcpl.info for phone numbers and locations of all branches, and check out wcpl.evanced.info/signup/eventcalendar.aspx for specifics on all these activities.