Did you know that just 15 minutes of reading each day can make all the HUGE difference at any age? Academic, emotional, social, and other measures of success depend very heavily on reading, so we encourage all parents to read as much as possible with their children! Our local libraries are incredible resources that go ABOVE & BEYOND during the summer months to make reading accessible and fun. We’ve gathered lots of information from our favorite local libraries’ programs for you to review and explore!
You can also see our directory listing for local libraries, where ALL the libraries we cover in the Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union, & Northumberland counties are included!
Bloomsburg Public Library & Columbia County Traveling Library (Collaboration)
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: June 1-August 2
KICKOFF EVENT: Color Our World Summer Library Program Festival: Featuring Bloomsburg Public, Columbia County Traveling, and Orangeville Public Libraries-
May 31; 10am-1pm @ Town Park (Market Street, Bloomsburg; in case of rain, event will be held in the Bloomsburg Library)
AGE GROUPS: All Ages!
PROGRAM PERKS: Mother Goose on the Loose, lots of Storytimes, Gaming Club, Book Club, Family Movie Ties, and so much more!
Learn More
Contact
Bloomsburg Area Lending Libraries
Thanks to our friend and fellow mom, Kim Morris, we have a link to all the local lending libraries in the Bloomsburg area. This map shows all the places where mini lending libraries are present in and around town!
Orangeville Public Library
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: June 17-August 5
AGE GROUPS: Preschool Session: 3-5 years; Elementary Session: 5-10 years
PROGRAM PERKS: Children will meet on Tuesday mornings for a fun time of stories, crafts and games.
Preschoolers: 9-9:45am; Elementary: 10-11 am.
Learn More
Contact
Milton Public Library
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: June 7-July 19
KICKOFF EVENT: June 7, 11am-12pm @ Milton Public Library
AGE GROUPS: All ages
PROGRAM PERKS:
-Weekly programs for kids ages 6-11
-Wednesdays at 11:30am (Crayon Club)
-Mondays at 4pm (Teen Takeover- ages 12-18)
-Special events throughout the summer
-Curbside (outdoor) activities to do when library is closed
-End of summer reading field day with the Williamsport Crosscutters; July 19th, 11am
Learn More
Some of our Favorite Upcoming Events!
Our calendar is chock full of great library and summer reading events! Check them out!
Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library (Northumberland)
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World with ROY G BIV”
DATES: June 9-August 1
KICK-OFF EVENT: Touch-A-Truck: June 7, 10am-2pm
AGE GROUPS:
-Wee Ones (birth to 5 years)
-Pre-K (ages 4-5 entering Kindergarten)
-School Age (completed K through 5th grade)
PROGRAM PERKS:
-Wee Ones (birth to 5 years): Wednesdays; 10-11am
-Preschool STEM: Wednesdays; 2-3pm
-Cruise into Kindergarten: Fridays; 9:30-10:30am
-School Age: Monday/Tuesday & Thursday/Friday; 1-3pm
-School Age Coding/STEM (5 to 12 years): Tuesdays; 4-5pm
-Lego Club (5 to 12 years): Thursdays; 4-5pm
-Girls Club (Grades 3, 4, 5): Fridays
–Summer Lunches: Monday-Friday 11am-12pm; FREE bagged lunches are available for children up to age 18!
Learn More
Contact
Union County Library System: Herr Memorial Library (Mifflinburg); The Public Library for Union County (Lewisburg); West End Library (Laurelton)
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
*Each library in the Union County System has different events and activities lined up for the summer!
DATES: June 2-August 9
AGE GROUPS: Children, Teens, and Adults- something for everyone!
PROGRAM PERKS:
-Challenge yourself to read 1,000 minutes this summer and earn brag tags, books, and prizes! For all ages!
-This summer, take your adventures beyond books with the Get Outdoors (GO!) program! While this initiative isn’t tied to summer reading prizes, it’s a fantastic way to explore parks and trails while earning extra rewards.
Learn More
Contact
🧭Hit the Trails, Find the Colors, and Unlock Rewards!
- Free guidebook at Union County Library
- Hike to find color-themed wooden markers in parks
- Each marker visit is logged for rewards
- Log reading minutes in the Beanstack app
- Learn More
Tips for Summer Reading Success
📚Get a bag or basket that is just for library books. When the kids aren’t reading the books, they go in the bag or basket (there are lots of cute baskets at Target, Walmart, Marshall’s, etc.!) This GREATLY helps when it is time for library book returns.
📚1st and 2nd grade is a great age to introduce graphic novels! This genre is super fun, and even if they just look at the pictures, chances are they will try to read at least some of the pages. (Some of our favorites: The Hilo Series, Cat Kid Comic Club, Dog Man Series and The Babysitter’s Club).
📚Read to your kids! How often do they stop moving and sit and cuddle with you? Start early, and it will be such a treat when they are “too old” to snuggle, but they still read. Having a nighttime ritual of reading guarantees that you get your 15 minutes a day in!
📚Read a book as a family, then watch the movie! (We recommend: The BFG, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Wizard of Oz, Charlotte’s Web, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to get started.)
Degenstein Library (Sunbury)
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: June 1-August 31
KICKOFF EVENT: All Paws Great & Small Animal Rescue Fair: June 7, 10am – 12pm @ Central Park (next to the Library). Free food and Free books!
Talent Show; June 13, 5-7pm
AGE GROUPS: All ages: Littles (0 – 5 years), School Age (6 – 11 years), Preteen & Teen (12- 17 years), & Adult
PROGRAM PERKS:
-Each week is a different theme with various activities.
Ongoing/typical programs continue:
-Tuesdays, 5pm & Wednesdays,11am: Mother Goose on the Loose
Tuesdays, 11am: Story Time
Learn More
Contact
Montgomery House Library (McEwensville)
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: June 1-July 31
AGE GROUPS: All ages and classes for (0-2), (2-3) and (3+-5)
PROGRAM PERKS:
-FREE lunches with activities at Watsontown Park, here are some examples:
9th First Day kick off with Pastor Eddie
10th Banjo Storytelling with Joe Scapellato
11th WRAFD Chefs-PennDot- Geisinger Safe Kids
12th Carnival Day
13th Hippy Daze
16th Smart Fishing with Jess & Friends
17th Cody Winner “The Spotted Lantern Fly in Our Park
18th Petting Zoo
19th Bloomsburg Mobile Maker Camp – Turtle Encounter
And much more!
Learn More
Contact
Ralpho Township Public Library (Elysburg)
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: Starting early June
AGE GROUPS: 0 – 5 years, Grades K-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7 & 8, and Grades 9-12
PROGRAM PERKS:
Little Rainbow Readers Storytime (Fridays, 10am)
Craft Camp (Mondays, 3-4pm)
Paint That Tune (Wednesdays, 11am-12pm)
Summertime Book club (every other Friday from 12p-1p
Color Your Words creative writing workshop (every other Wednesday, 1-2pm)
Learn More
Contact
Thomas Beaver Free Library (Danville)
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: June 1-August 15
AGE GROUPS: Birth to 18 years
PROGRAM PERKS:
Lots of events happening throughout the summer! You can also log reading times and enjoy activities in the Beanstack app!
Learn More
McBride Memorial Library (Berwick)
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: June 1-August 15
KICKOFF EVENT: Children’s Storytime @ the Berwick Farmers’ Market (Market’s Opening Day), June 21
AGE GROUPS: Multigenerational programming will allow for an all ages experience.
PROGRAM PERKS: Read your way through your summer adventure map to earn prizes and awards! Lots of events throughout the summer.
Learn More
Contact
Mount Carmel Area Public Library
SUMMER PROGRAM: “Color Our World”
DATES: June 10-July 8
AGE GROUPS: All ages
PROGRAM PERKS: Summer reading activities- Tuesdays from 10am-12pm
Be sure to log your reading hours for the CSLP Summer Reading program for prizes and achievements in the Beanstack App.
Learn More
Local Program Spotlight:
Dolly Parton Imagination Library (Berwick & Millville Area School Districts)
Did you know Berwick and Millville Area School Districts have chapters of the national program Dolly Parton Imagination Library?! This is an incredible book gifting program that mails FREE, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income! After launching in 1995, the program grew quickly, and by 2003 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library had mailed one million books. It would prove to be the first of many millions of books sent to children around the world, and your child can be a part of it!
📚Berwick- If you live in the Berwick Area School District, their program is funded and run by Berwick United Way. Contact Ayrin to find out more and to enroll your child (must be under 5 years old to be eligible).
📚Millville- If you live in the Millville Area School District, their program is funded by The Millville Community Association. See brochure below to enroll your child (must be under 5 years old to be eligible) via online or mail-in form.
For more information, or if you have any questions, contact Molly Werntz (Millville Area Program Coordinator).