Summer Reading
Summer Reading is almost here – and it’s jam-packed with fun activities and giveaways throughout June and July!
Summer Reading Kickoff
Summer Reading kicks off Saturday, June 5 with registration opening at 9 am for our Cold Spring, Carrico/Fort Thomas and Newport Branches while Alexandria opens at 11 am.
Register at the library and you may go home with cool giveaways, while supplies last. Children will receive a backpack; teens will get a reusable water bottle complete with a built-in straw; and adults will score a flashlight pen.
Grab-and-go treat bags filled with snacks will also be available at noon at all branches.
Come out or tune in to the library’s YouTube channel for a variety of kick-off activities, including:
- Eating Gross Food Face-Off @ Cold Spring, 11 am. Register to attend in-person.
- Low Mess Finger Painting @ Newport, 1 pm. Register to attend in-person.
- Arrowhead Reptile Rescue @ Carrico/Fort Thomas, 3 pm. Register to attend in-person.
Facebook Event
Summer Reading
SUMMER READING STARTS SATURDAY, JUNE 5!
Crawl, slither, soar or dive into the library’s Summer Reading program. With the theme Wild About Books, this year is all about animals and habitats they call home.
There’s something for everyone in the family – from dreaming up a fantasy zoo to drive-in movies featuring everyone’s favorite hedgehog Sonic to creating animal shadow puppets and learning how to keep our oceans clean.
Track your reading with the Beanstack app or a paper log for the chance to win awesome prizes big and small. Register online or at your favorite branch, where you can pick up a log.
Register on Beanstack
Do you prefer online tracking over paper logs? Beanstack is a website and app that allows you to track your reading and earn Summer Reading prizes. You can register as an individual, family or classroom. Visit our Beanstack page to create your account and learn more.
Pre-registration is open!
Register on Beanstack
Read & Win
Children (Newborn – Age 11)
Receive a small prize and one entry for the grand prize for every 4 hours read across formats; books, audiobooks, comics, being read to and reading by yourself all count toward the goal.
The grand prize is a six-month subscription to KiwiCo (STEAM & science kits for kids). One grand prize will be given away per branch and one through Beanstack.
You can track and submit hours online through Beanstack or via paper reading logs at our branches.
Teens & Tweens (Ages 11 – 19)
How to Participate:
Read five hours to enter weekly drawings to score prizes. Read 30 hours to win a book and one entry for the grand prize – a Nintendo Switch Lite.
You can track and submit hours online through Beanstack or via paper reading logs at our branches.
There will be four winners each week for the weekly prize packs. There will be two winners for the midsummer prize and grand prize.
- Weekly Prize Themes
- June 6 – 12: Art
- June 13 -19: Anime
- June 20 – 26: Board and Card Games
- June 27 – July 3:Nerf Toys
- July 4 – 10: Funko Pop!
- July 11 – 17: #Trending and Music
- July 18 – 24: Self Care
- July 25 – 31: D&D and RPG Games
- Midsummer Prize
- Raycon Wireless Earbuds
- Grand Prize
- Nintendo Switch Lite
Adults
At the Library:
Receive an entry for weekly gift card drawings at each branch every time you check out. It’s that easy!
Online:
Four reading prompts per week will be posted on the Beanstack app. Finish one to earn an entry for the grand prize – a $100 Kroger gift card.
Programs
Start planning your summer at the library by browsing our upcoming programs below!
Managing Personal Memories Series: Part Three
Registration Required
Virtual Author Talk with Douglas Brut: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I
DIY Squishies
Registration Required
Must Read Romance: Fantasy Romance- Fae/Fairies
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch Curbside Only Starting at 5pm Due to Arts and Culture Event
Arts & Culture: Bella Musica with Summermusik
Kitchen Canvas Art
Kitchen Canvas Art (Repeat Program)
Registration Required
Newport Book Club: 'Get Well Soon—History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them' by Jennifer Wright
Coffee & Conversation: 'The Old Woman with the Knife' by Gu Byeong-mo
Manga to Anime Club: 'Demon Slayer—Kimetsu no Yaiba' by Koyoharu Gotouge
Therapy Animals with Teens
Cup of Crime: 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman
Virtual Author talk with Nina Simon: A Murder Mystery, Family Story & Love Letter to Strong Women Everywhere
If You Give a Kid a Book Club: 'Cece Loves Science' by Kimberly Derting
Tween Book Club: 'Some Places More than Others' by Renee Watson
The Book Bus at the Mother's Day Garden Market
Memories: Physical to Digital
Talking Tech Troubles: Reading Apps & Resources
Game Show Tournament
Homeschool Book to Movie Club: 'A Series of Unfortunate Event—The Bad Beginning' by Lemony Snicket
Learning how to play Mah-jongg
Registration Required
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch Curbside Only Starting at 5pm Due to Arts and Culture Event
Arts & Culture: MUSE Choir Presents 'emBODY Diversity'
The Book Bus at the Early Literacy Play Date
Books and Brunch Book Club: 'The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' by Stuart Turton
Macrame Daisy Keychains
Registration Required
Tuesday Book Club: 'Lessons in Chemistry' by Bonnie Garmus
Cam's Kids Book Club: 'Molly's Tuxedo' by Vicki Johnson
City Barbeque Food for Thought Series: Radical Republicanism in High Renaissance Florence - The Tragedy of Girolamo Savonarola
Challenging Reads Book Club: 'This One Summer' by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
Virtual Author Talk with Rebecca F. Kuang: Asian American Representation in Literature
Cozy Crafting: Book Nooks
Registration Required
Real Men Read: 'The Holdout' by Graham Moore
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch Curbside Only Starting at 5pm Due to Arts and Culture Event
Arts & Culture Family Night: Northern Kentucky University String Project
Virtual Author Talk: Smithsonian Curator Matthew Shindell on the Human History of the Red Planet
Pokémon Perler Party
Tower Tuesday: Honey Hill Farm Mobile Petting Zoo
Summer Reading Kickoff: Build-Your-Own Adventure Kit
Summer Reading Kickoff: Become a Wanderer with The Hills of the Kentucky Dulcimers
Rough Draft Collab Writer's Club
Around the World in 6 Cups with Churchill’s Teas
Newport Book Club: 'Black Cake' by Charmaine Wilkerson
The Book Bus on Tour: Popsicles with Puppies & Duckies
Cozy Time for Babies
Jolly Thursday: Kentucky Reptile Zoo
Baby Wigglers
Summer Reading Kickoff: Adventure is Out There!
Board Game Bonanza
Crystal Cave Crafts
Must Read Romance: New Adult Romance
Summer Reading Kickoff: WAVE Foundation presents Tide Pool
Puppy Tales
Flamingo Snow Globes
Registration Required
Tower Tuesday: Talewise Science Heroes presents 'Adventure of the Lost Treasure'
Adventure Sash Decorating
Stage Combat Workshop
Take & Make: Hot Air Balloons
Cozy Time for Babies
Coffee & Conversation: 'Met the End' by Holly Brians Ragusa
Manga to Anime Club: 'Komi Can't Communicate' by Tomohito Oda
Self Defense Workshop
Cup of Crime: 'The Woman in Cabin 10' by Ruth Ware
Jolly Thursday: Kentucky Shakespeare presents - Romeo and Juliet
Baby Wigglers
If You Give a Kid a Book Club: 'Song in the City' by Daniel Bernstorm
Virtual Author Talk with Freida McFadden: Psychological Thrillers and the Queen of Twists
Cryptid Crafts: Mothman Sock Plush
Tween Book Club: 'The Lion of Mars' by Jennifer L. Holm
Dungeons & Dragons
The Book Bus at the Silver Grove Touch a Truck
Family Roblox Club
Books and Brunch Book Club: 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden
Take & Make: Wooden Bird Feeders
Registration Required
DIY Decoupage Map Coasters
Registration Required
Beginning Woodworking
Registration Required
Custom Fidget Spinners
Jewel and Flower Soaps
Registration Required
Tuesday Book Club: 'The Paris Apartment' by Lucy Foley
Tower Tuesday: Foam-tastic Party!
Talking Tech Troubles: Smart Watches & Fitness Trackers
Cam's Kids Book Club: 'Hidden Gem' by Linda Liu
Challenging Reads Book Club: 'Flamer' by Mike Curato
Jolly Thursday: Bright Star Theatre presents - Storybook Tales
Baby Wigglers
Hot Air Balloon Lantern
Virtual Author Talk with Tiffany Jewell: A History of Systemic Racism in the American Education System
Hot Air Balloon Lantern (Repeat Program)
Registration Required
Teen Game Night
Avatar: the Last Airbender Party
Tower Tuesday: Comedy Juggler Matt Jergens
DIY Book Page Flowers
Dungeons & DIY
Cozy Time for Babies
DIY Wooden Coasters