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)
How to Participate:
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!
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Monday, July 21, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Decorative Frames
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Monday, July 21, 2025, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Alexandria Branch
Paper Quilting
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Monday, July 21, 2025, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Tuesday, July 22, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
No Sew T-Shirt Bags
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
The Book Bus on Tour: Color-tastic Extravaganza
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
All Locations
Virtual Author Talk: Rex Ogle- Illuminating Hope and Grace in the Face of Hardship (5th-8th Grade)
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Neurodiverse Craft Club: Card and Board Games
Registration Required
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Nail Art
Registration Required
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Thursday, July 24, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, July 24, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Jolly Thursday: Honey Hill Farm Mobile Petting Zoo
Thursday, July 24, 2025, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
All Locations
Chair Yoga with Phoenix
Registration Required
Thursday, July 24, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Squirt Gun Painting
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Thursday, July 24, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Floral Arrangements with Amber of Broken Oaks Farm
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Friday, July 25, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Art After Hours: Adult Summer Reading Finale
Friday, July 25, 2025, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Saturday, July 26, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Alexandria Library Art Show
Registration Required
Saturday, July 26, 2025, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Alexandria Branch
Summer Reading Finale: Cupcake Decorating
Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Teen Summer Reading Finale: Taste Test Challenge
Registration Required
Saturday, July 26, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Teen Summer Reading Finale: Art Heist Escape Room
Registration Required
Saturday, July 26, 2025, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Teen Summer Reading Finale: After Hours Mini Lock In
Registration Required
Saturday, July 26, 2025, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Newport Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Sunday, July 27, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Alexandria Library Art Show
Registration Required
Sunday, July 27, 2025, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Alexandria Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Monday, July 28, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Tuesday, July 29, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Thursday, July 31, 2025, All Day
Newport Branch
On the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains with Pria Anand
Thursday, July 31, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Digital
Virtual Science Talk: The Stories, Science and History of Birds with Jay Falk
Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Digital
Digital Connect: Newport Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Newport Branch
Newport Book Club: 'Listen for the Lie' by Amy Tintera
Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Digital Connect: Newport Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Newport Branch
Digital Connect: Newport Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Thursday, August 7, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Newport Branch
Must Read Romance: YA Romance—Summer Vacation
Registration Required
Thursday, August 7, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Spotlight Series: 'Benefactors of Posterity: The Founding Era of the Filson Historical Society 1884-1899' with Daniel Gifford
Registration Required
Thursday, August 7, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Tween Book Club: School
Registration Required
Friday, August 8, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Newport Branch
Digital Connect: Fort Thomas Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Challenging Reads Book Club: 'Parable of the Sower' by Octavia Butler
Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Coffee & Conversation: 'The Six' by Loren Grush
Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Digital Connect: Fort Thomas Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Manga to Anime Club: Assassination Classroom by Yusei Matsui
Registration Required
Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Cup of Crime: 'Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers' by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Digital Connect: Fort Thomas Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Thursday, August 14, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Spotlight Series: History of Trains in Kentucky with Bob Hamilton of the La Grange Railroad Museum
Registration Required
Thursday, August 14, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Books and Brunch Book Club: 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives' by Hisashi Kashiwai
Registration Required
Saturday, August 16, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
You've Been Booked: 'The Red Pyramid' by Rick Riordan
Monday, August 18, 2025, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Tuesday Book Club: 'Velvet Was the Night' by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Cold Spring Branch
Digital Connect: Alexandria Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Cam's Kids Book Club: 'Golden Gate- Building the Mighty Bridge' by Elizabeth Partridge
Registration Required
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Digital Connect: Alexandria Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Board of Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Newport Branch
No Categories
Virtual Author Talk: Casey McQuiston - Returning to Romance Through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction
Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Digital
Homeschool Book to Movie Club: 'The Wild Robot' by Peter Brown
Registration Required
Thursday, August 21, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Digital Connect: Alexandria Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Thursday, August 21, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Spotlight Series: The Unknown Legend of the Cincinnati Strangler with J.T. Townsend
Registration Required
Thursday, August 21, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Digital Connect: Cold Spring Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Digital Connect: Cold Spring Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Virtual Author Talk: Organizational Psychologist Dr. Tash Eurich - 'How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos'
Thursday, August 28, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Digital
No Categories
Digital Connect: Cold Spring Branch- For Ages 60+
Registration Required
Thursday, August 28, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Senior Planet: Into to Sleep Technologies
Registration Required
Friday, August 29, 2025, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Newport Branch
Newport Book Club: Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson
Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Bridges to Healthcare Careers
Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Virtual Author Talk with Hannah Nicole Maehrer: On Writing Darkly Charming Villainous Love
Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Digital
DIY Fidget Bracelets
Registration Required
Thursday, September 4, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Must Read Romance: Pirate Romance
Registration Required
Thursday, September 4, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Dungeons & Dragons
Registration Required
Friday, September 5, 2025, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Northern Kentucky Health Department Mobile Unit
Monday, September 8, 2025, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Uke Can Play the Ukulele
Registration Required
Monday, September 8, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Design Your Own Puzzle
Registration Required
Monday, September 8, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Minecraft Club
Registration Required
Monday, September 8, 2025, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Homeschool Hangout: Giant Games
Registration Required
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Youth First: state-wide initiative to support those 16-24 years of age in accessing employment opportunities
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Newport Branch
Ice Cream Spaghetti
Registration Required
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
DIY wood coasters
Registration Required
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Rough Draft Collab Writer's Club
Registration Required
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Take and Make: Spy Code Craft
Registration Required
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Newport Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Newport Branch
Northern Kentucky Health Department Mobile Unit
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Virtual Author Talk: Jefferson Fisher- Argue Less and Talk More
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Digital
Coffee & Conversation: 'Yellowface' by R.F. Kuang
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Manga to Anime Club: 'The Seven Deadly Sins' by Nakaba Suzuki
Registration Required
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Author Talk & Paint: "Tropetails"
Registration Required
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Cup of Crime: 'The Woman in the Library' by Sulari Gentill
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Baby Time with Melodies to Grow On
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Cold Spring Branch
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Storytime with Urban Native Collective
Registration Required
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Tween Book Club: Animal Main Character
Registration Required
Friday, September 12, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Newport Branch
Dungeons & Dragons for Teens
Registration Required
Friday, September 12, 2025, 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Puppy Tales
Registration Required
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
You've Been Booked: 'Two Degrees' by Alan Gratz
Monday, September 15, 2025, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Monday Night Movie: A Minecraft Movie
Monday, September 15, 2025, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Tuesday Bookclub: The Lion Women of Tehran
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Cold Spring Branch
Homeschool Hive: A Rabbit is a Mammal
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Homeschool Hive: Rabbit Families
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Talking Tech Troubles: Streaming Services
Registration Required
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Cam's Kids Book Club: 'Up, Up, Ever Up Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda'
Registration Required
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Light-Up Bookmarks
Registration Required
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Challenging Reads Book Club: 'Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - Thursday, September 18, 2025, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Newport Branch
Virtual Author Talk: Gabe Henry- Our failed Attempts to Make English Eezier to Spell
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Digital
Bedazzled Craft
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - Thursday, September 18, 2025, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Newport Branch
Board of Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
No Categories
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, September 18, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Homeschool Book to Movie Club: 'Star Wars: A New Hope The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy' by Alexandra Bracken
Registration Required
Thursday, September 18, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch