Summer Reading 2024
Adventure Begins at the Library! Participate in Summer Reading from June 1-July 27 for the chance to win weekly prizes.
We have everything patrons of all ages need to participate in this year’s Summer Reading program. Read the guide to learn more.
Getting Started: Adventure Begins at the Library
WHO: All ages (adults, teens and children) can participate!
WHEN: June 1-July 27
Track your activities with Beanstack or paper logs. Pick up paper logs in person at any branch or download and print them at home.
DOWNLOAD READING LOG
Win a book or other small prize and an entry into a weekly themed prize for every five activities logged. Log one activity per day from the choices below. (Activities can be repeated.)
Summer Reading Activities
- Attend a Library Program
- Read
- Adventure in the Community
- Get Creative
- Play a Game
- Use Library Materials or Resources
- Try Something New
Weekly Prizes
Enter into weekly prizes, which are awarded per age group—adults, teens and children. You may enter for the week you’re most interested in! View the themes below.
- June 1-8: Art
- June 9-15: Games
- June 16-22: Build It!
- June 23-29: Book Lovers’
- June 30-July 6: Local Favorites
- July 7-July 13: Squishmallows
- July 14-July 20: Outdoor Adventure
- July 21-July 27: Movie Night
Checkout Challenge
The adventure doesn’t stop there. Each branch will also host a Checkout Challenge. Get an entry into a midsummer and finale prize drawing each time you check out materials. All ages.
Midsummer Prize (drawing on July 1): $50 Target Gift Card
Finale Prize (drawing on July 29): $100 Meijer Gift Card
Tower Tuesdays & Jolly Thursdays
Tower Tuesdays and Jolly Thursdays are back! Our Outreach Department will visit Fort Thomas’ Tower Park on Tuesdays and Alexandria’s A.J. Jolly Park on Thursdays at 10 am for family-friendly fun.
Book Bus on Tour
Along with Tower Tuesdays & Jolly Thursdays, the Outreach Department will also hit the road for their second-ever summer reading tour! Bring the whole family to hang out with the library at local parks across Campbell County this June & July. All programs take place on Wednesdays at 10 am.
Save the date for end-of-summer fun. To celebrate a season of programs, challenges and more, we put together finales for each age group.
Adult Summer Reading Finale
7-9 pm Friday, July 26
Take in the work of local artists at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch while enjoying food, live music and floral arrangements.
Teen Summer Reading Finales
3-6 pm Friday, July 26: Adventure Movie Marathon at Alexandria Branch
Whether you’re a fan of swashbuckling pirates, intrepid explorers or heroic adventurers, this movie marathon has something for everyone. Grab some popcorn, gather your friends, and settle in for a night of big-screen thrills and summer fun.
4-7 pm Friday, July 26: Care Closet and Interview Info at Newport Branch
The Northern Kentucky University and Newport Care Closet will host a presentation about their mission and services. They will bring some of their clothing for those that register; please leave your age, sizes and clothing preference (masculine/feminine) in the special needs box or email them to celliott@cc-pl.org.
*Editor’s Note: This program previously was listed in the Summer Reading brochure with a note that said “grades K-5 are also welcome.” This is program is for teens.
2-4 pm Saturday, July 27: Switch it Up! Tournament Time at Cold Spring Branch
Go head-to-head with other teens and battle it out on the library’s Nintendo Switch to see who reigns victorious. Prizes are on the line! We’ll play both Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
4:30-7 pm Saturday, July 27: A Trip Through Time at Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Become a Viking with local organization the Bluegrass Varangians, play retro video games on vintage consoles, get creative with crafts from centuries past and more. Time travel can be hungry work, so there will be plenty of snacks available as well.
Children Summer Reading Finales
4 pm Thursday, July 25: Cool Critters Outreach at Cold Spring Branch
Get an up-close, personal look at the fascinating world of snakes, lizards, spiders and more with Cool Critters Outreach
4-7 pm Friday, July 26: Back-to-School Bash at Newport Branch
Wrap up Summer Reading and prepare for the new school year with our back-to-school bash! Everyone will leave with school supplies.
10 am-noon Saturday, July 27: Outdoor Cooking at Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Embark on an outdoor culinary adventure as we make delicious solar oven and picnic recipes.
Noon-4 pm Saturday, July 27: Build-Your-Own Adventure Buddy at Alexandria Branch
We’ve all had so many adventures together this summer! Keep them going by making your very own stuffed animal adventure buddy. You can write your plans for future adventures and add the paper in with the stuffing so you and your buddy can adventure even after summer.
The fun doesn’t stop there! The library has fun programs, challenges and more planned this summer.
Adults
Adults
Registration is required, unless noted.
Paint-Along Landscape Painting
4-6 pm Monday, July 8
Experience the joy of landscape painting while following along with a video tutorial.
Books & Brunch Book Club
11:30 am Saturday, July 20
The Guest List by Lucy Foley. No registration is required.
Teens, Ages 11-19
Registration is required.
Adventure Writing Workshop
4-6 pm Friday, July 5
Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or just beginning to pen your tales, this workshop will ignite your imagination and equip you with the tools you need to embark on your own literary adventures. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow young writers, unleash your creativity and take your storytelling skills to new heights!
Manga to Anime Club
4:30-6:30 pm Wednesday, July 10
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1 by Gege Akutami.
Introduction to Cosplay
4:30-6:30 pm Friday, July 12
Step into the world of cosplay and bring your favorite characters to life in this exciting workshop designed for aspiring cosplayers. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of anime, video games or comic books, join us for an immersive journey into the art of costume crafting, character portrayal and creative expression.
Dungeons & Dragons Basics: How to be a Dungeon Master
4-6:30 pm Thursday, July 18
Are you ready to take the helm and become the mastermind behind epic quests, thrilling encounters, and fantastical worlds? Go on an unforgettable journey into the art of Dungeon Mastering in Dungeons & Dragons!
Harry Potter’s Birthday Party
4-6 pm Wednesday, July 31
Come to the Alexandria branch and celebrate the magic of Harry Potter on July 31st—Harry’s birthday! But that’s not all: no Harry Potter party would be complete without enchanting crafts! We’ll make custom wands and potion bottles. Snacks and birthday goodies will be provided.
Families, Kids of all ages & their families
No registration is required.
Family Board Game Day: Adventure Edition
1:30-4:30 pm Sunday, July 14
From classic favorites to modern gems, there will be something for everyone. Bring your friends and family and discover new games, or bring a personal favorite. We also have a Nintendo Switch with Super Smash Brothers: Ultimate and Mario Party. Light snacks will be provided.
Children, Grades K-5
Registration is required.
Cam’s Kids Book Club
4:30 pm Tuesday, July 16
My Indigo World by Rosa Chang.
Afternoon Origami
4 pm Tuesday, July 9
Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes and figures.
Journey outside your comfort zone and come make some awesome origami figures with us!
The 2024 Library Olympic Games
4-5:30 pm Wednesday, July 17
The Summer 2024 Olympic Games kick off July 26. The library is getting excited by throwing an Olympics of our own! Grab the whole family for a fun day of games.
Young Ones – June & July
Preschool Story Time
11:15 am Tuesdays
Join us every week to help your child develop their pre-literacy, fine motor and gross motor skills with fun activities, crafts and books. Ages 3-5.
Baby Story Time
11:15 am Fridays
We will sing, rhyme, and read board books geared toward babies. Story time is followed by free play complete with sensory toys. This program provides a great opportunity for socializing your little ones as well as making connections with other parents. Ages newborn-2.
ADULTS
Registration is required, unless noted.
Dungeons & Dragons
6-10 pm Friday, July 5
Play Dungeons & Dragons 5e! New and experienced players are welcome.
Cup of Crime
7 pm Wednesday, July 10
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn. Cup of Crime is a book club that meets once per month. For adults who love reading mysteries and spooky stuff! No registration is required.
Tuesday Book Club
10 am Tuesday, July 16
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. No registration is required.
Floral Arrangements with Amber
6-7:30 pm Thursday, July 18
Amber from Broken Oaks Farm returns to teach you how to make beautiful floral arrangements for your own home!
Not Another Book Club
7 pm Thursday, July 18
Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo. No registration is required.
Adult L.A.N. Party
6:30-8:30 pm Wednesday, July 24
What is a L.A.N. Party? It’s a social gathering of participants with personal computers or compatible game consoles, where a local area network (LAN) connection is established between the devices using a router or switch, primarily for the purpose of playing multiplayer video games together.
TEENS
Registration is required.
Rocket into Space
6-7:30 pm Monday, July 1
Martin Schadler from the Aviation Museum of Kentucky will teach us how to build a compressed air rocket, and send it soaring into the sky. Prepare to be hands-on as we create a space rocket together and watch it take off!
Exploring Tinkercad
5:30-7:30 pm Monday, July 8
Learn about Tinkercad, a free 3D designing tool available on the internet! Tinkercad is a website that has helpful videos and instructions on how to design your own 3D model design, or add to an existing one.
Teen Book BINGO
6 pm Monday, July 15
Play a classic round of BINGO! Each winner will receive a free book.
Friendship Bracelets
6 pm Monday, July 22
Create your own friendship bracelets!
FAMILIES, Kids of all ages & their families
Registration is required.
Take & Make: Constellation Jars
Monday, July 1
Bottle stars as part of an out-of-this-world craft project! Constellations are groups of stars in the sky that have been given names. Create a replica of a constellation as a keepsake.
Take and Make: DIY Rainsticks
Monday, July 8
Want to capture the sound of rain? Make a rainstick, a long, hollow tube filled partially with granular materials. When the stick is turned, the pebbles fall and hit the inner surface, producing the rain-like sound. It is believed that the musical instrument was invented by the Mapuche, who believed that playing it could conjure rainstorms.
Family Roblox Club
11 am Saturday, July 20
Join the Family Roblox Club, where we play different Roblox games every month on private VIP servers hosted by library staff. Play small private games with friends and other local kids. In addition to playing Roblox games, family-friendly activities will be provided like coloring pages, crafts and building blocks.
Take and Make: DIY Gold Medals
Monday, July 22
Prepare for the start of the Summer 2024 Olympics by making gold medals for the whole family. Each kit will include materials to make 5 medals.
CHILDREN, Grades K-5
Registration is required.
DIY Slime
4 pm Thursday, July 11
Did you know slime was a toy produced in 1976 by Mattel? It was sold in a plastic trash can and made with guar gum. Learn the science behind slime—and what makes it so gooey—and use those skills to make your very own.
Junior Library Olympic Games
4 pm Thursday, July 18
Celebrate the 2024 Summer Olympics by testing your skills of agility, endurance, and speed with our “Olympic” obstacle course.
Young Ones – June & July
No registration is required.
Toddler Time
10 & 11 am Wednesdays
Stories, songs and bouncy rhymes that will exercise your little ones’ busy bodies and busy minds. This story time is followed by a craft to match the day’s theme. Ages 2-3.
Baby Time
9:30 am Tuesdays
Help build your baby’s language skills through engaging and interactive songs, rhymes, simple movement games and books. Time is allowed at the end of the program for open play and interaction. Ages newborn-2.
Preschool Time
10:30 am Tuesdays
Join us every week to help your child develop their pre-literacy and motor skills with themed stories, gross motor play and crafts. Ages 3-5.
Tot Time
9:30 & 11:30 am Mondays
Build your child’s development skills through engaging and interactive themed stories, songs, and gross motor play. Time is allowed at the end of the program for open play and interaction. Ages 1-3.
ADULTS
Registration is required, unless noted.
Coffee & Conversation
2 pm Wednesday, July 10
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead. No registration is required.
Must Read Romance
7 pm Thursday, July 11
Do you love reading romance novels? Do you wish that you had someone to talk to about your latest read or to share their book recommendations? Join us at the library for a romance genre-focused book club that is not like your traditional book club! This month’s topic: Grumpy & Sunshine Romance.
Mountain String Art
2 & 6:30 pm Thursday, July 11
Get crafty with a hammer and nails as you make a mountain scene with string! In this program, you will hammer nails into a wooden board to create the outline of a mountain range. Then, you will add your string to make the scene pop!
Tiny Art Show
2 & 6:30 pm Thursday, July 18
Create your own miniature artwork! Participants can have their artwork displayed at Art After Hours, which is held at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch. Art After Hours attendees will cast their vote for Best Overall and Best for Summer Reading Theme (Adventure) per age category. Winners receive a gift card. All artwork entered into the Tiny Art Show will be returned after the event and available for pickup at the Carrico/Fort Thomas branch starting Aug. 1.
Talking Tech Troubles
2 pm Tuesday, July 23
Join Natalie for a friendly discussion of technology topics. Bring your own devices or try out something new at the library. We will learn together in this judgment-free informal group. Each meeting will include a short presentation along with answering any questions you may have or casual conversation about technology concerns. This month’s topic: The Cloud.
Trivia Night @ The Post
6:30 pm Tuesday, July 23
Join the library to test your knowledge at The Post (1136 S Ft Thomas Ave.)! Play on your own, with your friends, or as a family! Individuals or teams of up to eight players will be challenged over five rounds with five questions to earn points. Each round will end with a special question worth double the points, the team with the highest score will win! No registration is required.
TEENS, Ages 11-19
Registration is required.
Tween Pokémon Party
4:30 pm Tuesday, July 9
Do you love all things Pokémon—from the trading cards to the anime to the video games? Celebrate and have fun with other Pokémon fans! We will play trivia, do a Pokémon-themed craft and more! Tweens and teens should feel welcome to bring their own gaming systems or trading cards. This month’s theme: Dragon-type Pokémon!
Teen Tiny Art Show
4:30 pm Tuesday, July 16
Create your own miniature artwork! Participants can have their artwork displayed at Art After Hours, which is held at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch. Art After Hours attendees will cast their vote for Best Overall and Best for Summer Reading Theme (Adventure) per age category. Winners receive a gift card. All artwork entered into the Tiny Art Show will be returned after the event and available for pickup at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch starting Aug. 1.
Teen Game Night
4:30-7 pm Friday, July 19
We’ll have board games, video games and a staff-run table playing Dungeons & Dragons 5e. Small snacks and water will be provided.
Cryptid Crafts
4:30 pm Thursday, July 25
Do you think Mothman is amazing and that Sasquatch is adorable? Us too! Come make cute (and slightly creepy) crafts to celebrate some of your favorite cryptids.
FAMILIES, Kids of all ages & their families
No registration is required.
Adventures in Printmaking
10 am Friday, July 5
Explore the art of printmaking! Create beautiful prints using various techniques.
LEGOs @ the Library
2 pm Saturday, July 13
Calling all LEGO lovers! Play Lego games, build creations using the library’s Lego collection and make Lego themed crafts.
CHILDREN, Grades K-5
No registration is required, unless noted.
Comics 101
4 pm Wednesday, July 10
Learn the process of making comics and bring your own ideas to life with the staff from Skool Aid.
3D Art
4 pm Monday, July 15
Discover the world of 3D art through different materials and techniques.
Magical Kitties Save the Day!
4:30 pm Thursday, July 18
Magical Kitties Save the Day is a beginner-friendly roleplaying game for all ages. Take on the role of a magical cat as you solve large problems and save humans from terrible troubles! Ages 8-14.
Tiny Art Show
4 pm Monday, July 22
Create your own miniature artwork. Participants can have their artwork displayed at Art After Hours, which is held at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch. Art After Hours attendees will cast their vote for Best Overall and Best for Summer Reading Theme (Adventure) per age category. Winners receive a gift card. All artwork entered into the Tiny Art Show will be returned after the event and available for pickup at the Carrico/Fort Thomas branch starting July 29.
Young Ones – June & July
Together Time Tales
1 pm Fridays
Spend some quality time together while reading, playing and learning. Time is allowed at the end of the program for open play and interaction. Ages 3-5.
Cozy Time for Babies
10 am Wednesdays
Designed for the youngest babies, this story time is filled with songs, rhymes and gentle movement games to encourage your baby’s language, motor and social development. Open play and socializing at the end. Ages newborn-2, especially for pre-walkers. Register.
Baby Wigglers
10 am Thursdays
Designed for babies who are walking and on the move, this story time is filled with fun, engaging songs, rhymes and energetic movement games to encourage your baby’s language, motor and social development. Open play and socializing at the end. Ages newborn-2, especially for walkers. Register.
Movers & Shakers
10 am Mondays
Shake, move and sing in this active and musical story time followed by open play. Ages 2-3.
Baby Sharkies
10 am Saturday, July 13
Celebrate everything sharks today with your little ones! We’ll sing songs and read books. And, we’ll have water bins filled with ocean creatures and a special shark bubble machine.
Adults
Registration is required.
Bath Bombs
6-8 pm Monday, July 8
One of these luxurious bath bombs will make you feel like you’re on a tropical getaway. Come learn how to make your own!
Challenging Reads
7 pm Tuesday, July 16
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
Felt Ball Coasters
6-8 pm Monday, July 22
These cute coasters are easy and fun to make; and they’ll give your drink a nice and stylish place to hang out!
Summertime Photobooks
6-8 pm Monday, July 29
Summer is ending, so let’s compile all of our fun adventures into a photobook. Bring your own photos.
TEENS, Ages 11-19
No registration is required.
Impromptu
3-4:45 pm Thursdays
Come to this after-school hangout to play board games, eat snacks, draw and pretty much whatever else you want to do (as long as it is in line with library rules). There is no program on July 4 due to the holiday.
Cartoons & Color
3-5 pm Wednesday, July 10
Summer is for adventure and fun, but sometimes we just need to watch cartoons, eat snacks and color.
Tween Book Club
4 pm Friday, July 12
Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe. Ages 8-14. Register.
LEGO Crafts
3-5 pm Wednesday, July 17
Who doesn’t love LEGOs? Come and learn how to make creations out of them!
Roblox Reunion
3-5 pm Wednesday, July 24
Reunite with your friends and go on a fun adventure in the world of Roblox.
CHILDREN, Grades K-5
No registration is required.
Saturday Afternoon Movie: ‘Moana’
1-3 pm Saturday, July 6
Watch (or re-watch) Moana (rated G) before the second movie hits theaters in November. Snacks included! The movie has a runtime of one hour and 43 minutes. To allow time for attendees to get settled, the movie will begin at 1:10 pm.
Take and Make: Enchanted Forests
Wednesday, July 10
Create a magical paper forest with this month’s Take & Make kit.
Homeschool: Edible Soil Layers
1 pm Thursday, July 11
Learn about soil layers in this edible and hands-on science project.
Treehouse Craft
5:30-7 pm Thursday, July 18
Take it easy with this hands-on, experimental craft using recyclable materials to create a treehouse.
Tween Scene: Adventure Maps
3:30-5 pm Tuesday, July 16
Create your own map for the next great fantasy tale. We will use rice, pens and paper to create the map. You can work on your own map or create a map with friends that will detail the next great adventure.
Afternoon Art: Spoon Puppets
4 pm Thursday, July 25
We can all use more art in our day. Every session offers a new chance to create your next masterpiece. Afternoon Art aims to allow kids the chance to explore various materials and mediums without the worry of cost and grading. This session we will use wooden spoons, random art materials and markers to create Spoon Puppets.
Young Ones – June & July
No registration is required.
Ready for K Through Play
10 am Mondays
Books, music and play are the focus in this story time that gets your child ready for kindergarten! Each week highlights a different activity to encourage skill development.
Movers & Shakers
10 am Tuesdays
Shake, move and sing in this active, musical story time. Time is allowed at the end of the program for open play and interaction.
Baby Bounce & Rhyme
10 am Wednesdays
Reading with your little one from an early age is a great way to start developing their literacy skills. Bounce around in this story time for literacy activities for babies as well as reading and singing time.
Thank you!
Thank to our Summer Reading sponsors & donors for making this year’s programming possible: Skyline Chili, Miss Shirley’s, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Nature Center, Dewey’s Pizza, Frisch’s, Panera Bread, Dairy Queen, Main Street Bored Games, FC Cincinnati & King’s Island.
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Happy Leo season! ♌To celebrate, meet Cam: a book-loving lion who enjoys hanging out in the community & eating coneys (especially while watching baseball). P.S., he really does love NYPL The New York Public Library's fellow lion mascots.
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