Library Lines: Summer fun at your local public library

Monica Peck
·4 min read

After a long, sleepy winter your local library, like many businesses in Northern Michigan becomes a very busy place. We have a wide range of programs for patrons of all ages. Here are a few examples of what your local Northern Michigan libraries have to offer kids and teens to add a bit of fun to the dog days of summer.

The Boyne District Library is celebrating Oceans of Possibilities this summer with a wide range of summer programming for kids and teens. Kids of all ages are invited to participate in the summer reading challenge! Read for just 20 minutes each day and win sweet, ocean-themed prizes. Stop by the library to pick up your reading logs today. The Boyne District Library will also host magician Cameron Zvara, on Thursday, July 7, at 6:30 in Sunset Park. Cameron will delight families with humor and magic. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs for this one.

The Boyne District Library is also partnering again this year with the Charlevoix County Conservation District and Ms. Alison for a hands-on nature program. Kids will meet at Old City Park in Boyne City on June 29, July 13, and July 20 at 10:30 a.m. For teens, BDL is hosting popular graphic novel author Mark Crilley on Thursday, June 23, at 2 p.m. Mark will show teens how to master the art of Manga.

The Petoskey District Library is wrapping up its NASA at the library program this summer. They will be hosting a program on Thursday, July 14, at 7 p.m. titled Time Traveling with Tacos and Telescopes. At the outdoor labyrinth, they will peer back into the mists of time, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)! They will celebrate the first images from the JWST with tacos, a life-size TARDIS, and a DELOREAN! A subject matter expert from the University of Michigan will be there to tell everyone what the telescope has found so far.

Photo courtesy BBC America.The TARDIS from the television show “Doctor Who.”
Photo courtesy BBC America.The TARDIS from the television show “Doctor Who.”

PDL is also pleased to announce the return of two of their beloved programs: Baby Bounce and PAWS for a story. This summer kids can practice reading to LadyAnnaBella, an adorable Shih-Tzu therapy dog, who will be at the library with her owner Sandra. By reading out loud to a dog who doesn’t judge how well the child reads, the child’s self-consciousness disappears, and their confidence grows. Call 231-758.-, email childstaff@petoskeylibrary.org or stop by the children’s department to schedule a 15-minute session to read to our fun furry friend!

At Petoskey District Library learning begins at birth and you are your baby’s first teacher! Join Miss Lisa for music, movement, and play. We will help little ones build early literacy skills while bouncing, singing, exploring board books and playing together. For babies 3-24 months and their grown-up(s).

The Charlevoix Public Library has a ton of fun, and engaging programs for youth this summer too! They will host a Foodie Workshop for Kids: Yum, Snacks! on Tuesday, June 21, starting at 10:30 for kids ages 8-12. Amanda Evans, a Registered Dietitian, will teach you in this no-cooking workshop how to make healthy snacks that look good and keep you full. To show off your new skills, you will be given extra food so you can make more snacks at home for your friends and family! Registration is required for this program.

CPL, also has programs this summer for aspiring young artists. There will be a Comic Art Fantasy Drawing Workshop with Jerry DeCaire Thursday, July 28, at 3:30 p.m. for kids ages 8-12 in community rooms A & B. Save your seat for this drawing workshop with Marvel comic artist and illustrator, Jerry DeCaire. All you will need for this program is your imagination; art supplies will be provided, but space is limited, so register today!

As you can see your local library has plenty to offer kids of ages this summer! For more details on any of these programs, or to check out the full lineup of summer programs, be sure to visit your library’s website or stop by any circulation desk.

— Monica Peck, MLIS, is the director of the Boyne District Library, 201 E. Main St., Boyne City, Mi. 49712. Reach her at 231-582-7861.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Library Lines: Summer fun at your local public library