Keep your kids busy this summer: Here's what Detroit Public Library is planning

Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read

Befriend a unicorn. Live on a pineapple farm in Mexico. Survive an alien invasion.

But be careful what ice cream cone you order.

The possibilities to journey to a new world, while staying right here in Detroit, are endless. Just pick up a book. Summer is a great time to strengthen a child's relationship with reading, without the pressure of school assignments or deadlines, Michigan librarians say.

This summer is the first since the pandemic that most Detroit Public Library branches will host in-person summer reading programs across the city, said Vernadette McAllister, interim children and teen services librarian at the Detroit Public Library. The library is out in force with programming this year: With everything from reading challenges to partnerships with Lego and the Michigan Science Center to craft time for kids and teens of all ages.

Pictured is an activity at a Detroit Public Library summer reading event. This summer is the first since the pandemic that most branches have launched in-person summer reading activities.
Pictured is an activity at a Detroit Public Library summer reading event. This summer is the first since the pandemic that most branches have launched in-person summer reading activities.

McAllister said she is thrilled to see in-person programs back at public library branches. Just recently, she attended a puppet show at the Redford branch — an energetic one, she said.

"A lot of times we think in order for kids to be engaged and to be excited about something, it has to be something that's on the screen, and this was not," she said.

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Here's what's happening at the library this summer, according to McAllister:

  • The library is focusing on its Beanstack summer reading program in particular, which starts July 1 and goes through August. It challenges children of all ages who can read independently to track the minutes they're reading. As they track, they can participate in raffles for prizes and earn badges by visiting their local library branch.

  • In a partnership with Lego and the Michigan Science Center called Build the Change, the library, in different events throughout the summer, will introduce kids to three pressing world issues: protecting native species, eliminating waste and rewilding bees.

  • Kids will also be encouraged to use Legos at events to build an idea that would help solve a world problem.

  • With Detroit Public TV, the library is passing out literacy activity booklets to encourage kids to engage with reading.

  • With the Detroit Housing Commission, the library will visit children living in public housing, passing out books to keep and encouraging library card signups.

  • The library has partnered with Huron Clinton Metroparks for different library events for children about native animals and plants.

You can find the library's schedule of events and other Kids Zone activities here.

Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit libraries: In-person summer reading programs are back