Summer Reading begins Saturday, June 3 and runs through August 12, 2023
Kids from birth through age 19 can earn awesome prizes for logging their reading and activities! We also have SO MANY free events for children, adults, teens and families over the summer!
Summer Reading programs help students retain their current reading levels during summer vacation and avoid the dreaded “summer slide.” Reading whatever interests them also helps to instill a life-long love of reading.
Summer Reading packets will be available for pickup at the library starting June 3rd. If you can, join us at Denver Park from 9-11 am on June 3 for our Opening Day Drive-thru Party! From June 3 – August 5, you can stop by the library anytime to pick up a packet or sign up for Summer Reading online with Beanstack.
Are you tracking your reading with a Summer Reading log? Or, are you going digital this year?
If you’re ready to go digital – register for Beanstack or download the mobile app!
What is Beanstack? It’s an easy way to keep track of all the books you read!
Get Outdoors (GoLancaster) and Get Connected is a summer-long physical activity initiative, conducted in partnership with WellSpan and the Lancaster County Library System. It encourages children and families to visit parks and trails, follow the clues to find the posts, and enter the codes on Beanstack for a chance to win fabulous prizes! Stop into the library to pick up your family’s clue booklet and rubbing sheets.
2023 Summer Reading Event Schedule at Adamstown Area Library
Events will be held at the following locations:
Adamstown Area Library – 110 W. Main St, Adamstown
Adamstown Grove – 300 W. Main St, Adamstown
Adamstown Community Pool – 272 W. Main St, Adamstown
Brubaker Park – 436 Long Ln, Brecknock
Chapel Gate Park – 57 Park View Dr, Reinholds
Denver Memorial Park – 801 Main St, Denver
Reamstown Memorial Park – 23 East Church St, Reamstown
Refreshing Mountain Nature Center – 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
Registration is requested or required for some events
You can register for events, view the schedule, and see a full description of each program on our monthly events calendar.
Year-Round Programs
Friends Book Sale – Every Tuesday in the community room. Hours are from 11 am to 7 pm every Tuesday except on the second Tuesday of the month, when the sale will end at 5:30 p.m. due to a library program (Genealogy).
“Budding Bookworms” Preschool Storytime – Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Stories and an easy craft for ages 3-6 with adult. Please note: there will be no storytime on June 14, June 21 or July 26. On these dates, we will have summer reading programs at Adamstown Grove instead. See details below.
“Twinkling Stars” Baby Storytime – Every Thursday at 10 a.m. Simple stories, rhymes, puppets, songs, and fingerplays. Bring along your 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten packets to help achieve your goal! For babies with adult.
“The Young and the Restless” Toddler Time – Every Thursday at 11 a.m. Stories, songs and fingerplays, followed by an easy craft and free play. Bring along your 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten packets to help achieve your goal! For toddlers with adult.
Young At Heart – 9-11 a.m. REAL Life Community Services invites you to Young at Heart, with free events for anyone age 60 and up. Join us at the library for coffee, chatting, games, crafts, and more on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month. For more information, call 717-336-7797 or visit REALLCS.org
Genealogy Group – June 13, July 11 & August 8 from 6:30-8 p.m. This group meets at the library once a month for lively discussions, research help or short talks from genealogy researcher Ken McCrea. 2nd Tues of month. For older students and adults.
JUNE
Opening Day Drive-Thru Party – Sat June 3 from 9-11 am at Denver Park. Safely stay in your car while picking up your Summer Packet, Papa Tater Magician (sponsored by Blue Ridge), snacks, gifts, crafts, Refreshing Mountain raffle prizes, Fire Truck, Police Car, and more. 801 Main St, Denver. First 200 kids get Boehringer’s Ice Cream Cone Coupon. For families.
American Girl Bag Pickup – Monday, June 5. Starting that day, you can pick up a kit filled with fun for you and your doll from the library foyer. 1 per family please. For 5 – 12 years. None in July/August.
Party at the Parks – Monday, June 5 at 12 p.m. at Denver Park & Reamstown Park. Celebrate the last day of school with Storytime, snack and Summer Reading signup.
Teen SummerZine – Tuesday, June 6 & 20, July 11 & 25, Aug 1 & 15 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. via Zoom and hybrid option where kids can come in-person at the Manheim Township Library. Attention writers ages 12-19! Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Would you like to see your work published alongside award-winning authors? You’ll get to know three PA authors who will offer creative prompts and a real-time look at their writing process via Zoom. Registration is required.
Doggie Downtime – Weds, June 7, July 5, & Aug 2 from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Do you need some tail-wagging tranquility in your life? Gaze into “Twinkle’s” big, beautiful, calming eyes to help wash your troubles away! 1st Weds of month. For all ages.
Tech Q & A – Wednesday, June 7 from 4:30-6 p.m. Drop into the library to get one-on-one help with your devices. We can help you sign up for a Beanstack account for Summer Reading! Tech help and software training is also available other times by appointment.
Animal Forensic Science – Thursday, June 8 at 1 p.m. at Adamstown Grove. How do forensic scientists use clues to answer questions? Learn how to look for clues and examine why and how wildlife forensics can protect wild animals. Try your hand and eyes at looking for clues, use a microscope to ask and answer questions to learn what happened at the crime scene. Lanc County Dept of Parks & Rec. Please register. For all ages.
Craft Workshop – June 8, July 13, Aug 10 from 3-4:30 p.m. If you’re interested in crafting and spending time with others in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, this free workshop is for you. 2nd Thurs of month. For adults and teens. Registration is required.
Spiders & Their Webs – Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. at Denver Park. In Anansi the Spider, the six spider sons work together to rescue their father by using their unique gifts. We will learn all about spiders, different kinds of webs, play games, and create our own webs to take home. Lanc County Dept of Parks & Rec. Please register. All ages.
Lego Activity Bag Pickup – Monday, June 12. Starting that day, you can pick up a kit in the library foyer. 1 per family please. For 5 – 12 years. None in July/August.
Rock Garden Painting Party – Monday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. We supply the rocks, paint, and brushes. You bring your creativity. All rocks will be added to our Kindness Rock Garden as we “Paint the Town with Kindness.” Lanc County Dept. of Parks & Rec. Please register. For all ages.
Drop-In STEAM – Monday, June 12, drop-in from 2-5 p.m. Explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math through games, activities, and projects with Miss Maribeth. This month’s activities include Building a bridge/city out of LEGO®, Knex, and other materials. An adult is required to accompany children under 8. None in July/August.
Talewise Science Heroes: Saving Earth Together – Wednesday, June 14 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. this action-packed story, two unlikely heroes work together to save their town (and the planet) from a super-polluting mastermind! Volunteers will help conduct science experiments that explore Newton’s Laws of Motion, air pressure, chemical reactions, and more! For families. Replaces storytime.
Pool Storytime at Denver Community Pool – Weds., June 14, July 12, Aug 9 at 1 p.m. Second Wednesday of the month. Take a break from swimming and join Miss Jess at the Pool Pavilion. Pool entrance fee at discount rate or membership required for entry.
Social Insects: Working Together – Friday, June 16 at 10 a.m. at Brubaker Park in Brecknock Township. No one comes together more than colonies of insects. Learn about the fascinating things the tiny critters can accomplish when they work together and play some fun pollination games. Lanc County Dept of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
Library Closed – Monday, June 19. The library will be closed on Juneteenth.
Teen Take & Make Packet Pickup (Beaded Bracelet). Tuesday, June 20. Get creative with our ready-to-go kits! See what you can learn to make with just a few simple materials, provided to you at no cost, and a few easy instructions. Supplies are limited, so stop by to claim your bag today! None in July/August
Nature Shows at Refreshing Mountain – Tuesday, June 20 & 27, July 11 & 18 at 10 a.m. Come and hear all about Pennsylvania native and exotic creatures from around the world. Meet Miss Jess at the Nature Center at Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens, PA 17578. Park in Parking Lot B – Follow yellow footprints to office, turn L, go down paved road towards pond. All ages. Please register. Each family will need to sign a release form at each event.
Almost Perfect Crimes – Tuesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join Miss Jess as we discover together “Whodunit!” Upon registration, you will receive the Zoom link and the Mini Murder Mystery Story. Additional clues and evidence will be revealed during our meeting as we try to solve the crime together. For ages teen/adult due to some graphic content. None in July/August.
Phredd, Ukulele One Man Band – Weds, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. He is the Ukulele Flailing, Harmonica Wailing, Suitcase Drumming, Kazoo Hum-Humming, Ukulele Bundle of Joy! Replaces storytime. For families.
Pool Storytime at Adamstown Community Pool – Weds, June 21, July 19, Aug 16 at 1 p.m. Third Weds. of the month. Take a break from swimming and join Miss Jess at the Pool Pavilion. Pool entrance fee at discount rate or membership required for entry. Members are free, non-members are $5.
Working on the Railroads – Thursday, June 22 at 6 pm. Through unique objects, you will learn about the jobs of the Conductor, Station Agent, and Engineer. A combination of demonstration, interactive activity, historic photographs, and audio will be used during the program. Presented by the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. For adults and teens, ages 12+. Please register.
Community Gardens – Friday, June 23 at 10 a.m. at Chapel Gate Park in West Cocalico Township. Learn about the many ways that community gardens bring people together and about different gardening techniques and crops from all over the world. Participants will end with planting their own seeds to start a garden at home. Lanc County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All ages.
Ice Cream Taste Testing – Monday, June 26 at 12 p.m. at Adamstown Grove. On these hot days, what better way to cool off than with yummy ice cream? Children can guess the different flavor and then vote for their favorite. Thank you to Kountry Korner for sponsoring this DELICIOUS program! Please register.
Let’s Explore a Stream – Friday, June 30 at 10 a.m. at Reamstown Community Park. Get into the water and collect critters that live in our local waterways. Be sure to wear closed-toe & closed-back shoes. Lanc County Dept. of Parks & Rec. For families.
JULY
Library Closed – Tuesday, July 4. The library will be closed on Independence Day.
Doggie Downtime – Weds, July 5, & Aug 2 from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Do you need some tail-wagging tranquility in your life? Gaze into “Twinkle’s” big, beautiful, calming eyes to help wash your troubles away! For all ages.
Ran D’Shine: The Magic Box Show – Weds July 5 at 1:30 at Adamstown Grove. This highly entertaining and engaging show is a playful interactive relationship with the audience. He brings “Real Magic for Real People” with his combination of psychological illusions, sleight of hand, and storytelling. Fun for all ages. Please register.
Teen SummerZine – Tuesday, July 11 & 25, Aug 1 & 15 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. via Zoom and hybrid option where kids can come in-person at the Manheim Township Library. Attention writers ages 12-19! Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Would you like to see your work published alongside award-winning authors? You’ll get to know three PA authors who will offer creative prompts and a real-time look at their writing process via Zoom. Registration is required
Food Chains – Friday, July 7 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Let’s get together for dinner in the wild by taking a close-up look at the food chain where a series of organisms are each dependent on the next as a source of food. Lanc County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
Toddler Activity: Rescue our Community Heroes – Monday, July 10 at the library. Drop-in 10 a.m.-12 p.m. OH NO! Our friends have gotten stuck in some sticky situations. Use tweezers and your fine motor skills to help rescue our hometown protectors! Ages 2-3.
Nature Shows at Refreshing Mountain – Tuesday, July 11 & 18 at 10 a.m. Come and hear all about Pennsylvania native and exotic creatures from around the world. Meet Miss Jess at the Nature Center at Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens, PA 17578. Park in Parking Lot B – Follow yellow footprints to office, turn L, go down paved road towards pond. All ages. Please register. Each family will need to sign a release form at each event.
Pool Storytime at Denver Community Pool – Wednesday, July 12 and Aug 9 at 1 p.m. Second Wednesday of the month. Take a break from swimming and join Miss Jess at the Pool Pavilion. Pool entrance fee at discount rate or membership required.
Craft Workshop – July 13 & Aug 10 from 3-4:30 p.m. If you’re interested in crafting and spending time with others in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, this free workshop is for you. 2nd Thurs of month. For adults and teens. Registration is required.
Recycle Right: LCSWMA – Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Join the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority as we learn about recycling with fun hands-on learning including a “recycling relay.” All ages.
Critters of All Kinds with Jesse Rothacker – Tuesday, July 18 at 1:30 p.m. at Adamstown Grove. Our planet is home to critters of all kinds! Each animal has its own ecological niche, which is their special assignment on planet Earth. Come laugh and learn with Jesse Rothacker and his reptile friends, and discover how critters of all kinds work together to make one great big world. (You’ll meet snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocs from around the world!) For all ages.
Pool Storytime at Adamstown Community Pool – Weds, July 19, Aug 16 at 1 p.m. Third Weds. of the month. Take a break from swimming and join Miss Jess at the Pool Pavilion. Pool entrance fee at discount rate or membership required.
Dinosaur Dig: Expedition Adventure – Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. One person can find a dinosaur; however, getting it out of the ground takes teamwork. What skills are needed during a paleontological dig? Audience will participate in digging up real dinosaur bones, a touch of magic, and show & tell of rare fossils. All ages. Max 75 participants, please register.
Mini-Chef Morning – Weds, July 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Snack-crafting with Charlotte Scheid, GIANT Food Stores Nutritionist, provides children with basic skills. For ages 6 & under with adult. Replaces Storytime.
Some Favorite Artifacts from the Ephrata Cloister – Thursday, July 27 at 6 p.m. This illustrated talk will feature some of Curator Kerry Mohn’s favorite historical items from Ephrata Cloister. These favorite objects include pottery, metal, textile, postcards, wood/furniture, books/paper, rye straw items and miscellaneous items. Most of the artifacts are on exhibit at the Cloister. Explore these unique items and learn how they relate to early Pennsylvania history and this German religious community. For adults and teens. Registration is requested.
AUGUST
Teen SummerZine – Tuesday, Aug 1 & 15 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. via Zoom and hybrid option where kids can come in-person at the Manheim Township Library. Attention writers ages 12-19! Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Would you like to see your work published alongside award-winning authors? You’ll get to know three PA authors who will offer creative prompts and a real-time look at their writing process via Zoom. Registration Required
Doggie Downtime – Weds, Aug 2 from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Do you need some tail-wagging tranquility in your life? Gaze into “Twinkle’s” big, beautiful, calming eyes to help wash your troubles away! For all ages.
Ryan “The Bug Man” – Friday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Don’t Hate Me…I’m just a bug! Ryan Bridge will be bringing the incredible world of Bugs and Insects. TONS of cool, fun… Guaranteed! The audience will have an opportunity to hold the harmless LIVE bugs and get answers to questions they might have. Most people are too quick to judge bugs and insects, quicker to believe they’re harmful or dangerous. Insects don’t want to harm people and this program will PROVE it by introducing the audience to real Nature and offering everyone the chance to go hands-on with harmless Bugs and Insects! For all ages.
End of Summer “Magical” Party – Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Library. Drop in 9:30-11 a.m. Let’s celebrate all you have accomplished this summer with a magic show and balloons by The Amazing Magi (Michael Reist). If you have not yet done so, be sure to return your Summer Reading Log to receive your awesome prizes! All ages.
Pool Storytime at Denver Community Pool – Weds, Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. Take a break from swimming and join Miss Jess at the Pool Pavilion. Pool entrance fee at discount rate or membership required.
Craft Workshop – Aug. 10 from 3-4:30 p.m. If you’re interested in crafting and spending time with others in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, this free workshop is for you. 2nd Thurs of month. For adults and teens. Registration is required.
Pool Storytime at Adamstown Community Pool – Weds, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. Take a break from swimming and join Miss Jess at the Pool Pavilion. Pool entrance fee at discount rate or membership required.
Wild Edible Plants of Pennsylvania – Thursday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m. Join Debbie Naha-Koretzky, “The Wild Edibles Lady,” for a foraging adventure to discover the edible plants of our area. The program will include a slide show followed by a foraging walk. The program will cover plant identification, safety, look-alike plants, sustainable harvesting, cooking with wild plants, and nutrition. For adults and teens. Registration is requested.
All Summer
Get to know me Better Board –Teens, life is hard, and you would not be as great as you are without someone’s guidance and support. We want to know who helped you become a better person and how. Stop in the library’s teen section to answer these important questions.
Kindness Rock Garden – In the library’s front flower beds, you may Take one for Inspiration, share one for Motivation, or leave one to help our garden grow! Let’s Paint our community with Kindness! (All Ages)
Kindness Hearts – Inspired by the book “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio, we want to know “How did you show someone kindness this Summer?” Write your answer on a heart which will decorate the library during our summer reading theme “All Together Now”. (All Ages)
Sidewalk Sunshine – Mr. Circle is Happy. Mr. Triangle is Sad. Which shape is Angry? Children can jump from shape to shape while naming their emotions. Stop in the library this summer to play this fun sidewalk chalk activity on the ramp. Thank you to local scout pack/troop 61 for this awesome creation! (Families)
During our Summer Reading Theme “All Together Now” we are celebrating all the countries from our big, beautiful world. A special display in the Children’s Room asks the question: If you could visit any country, where would you go and why? Be sure to stop in to see what our patrons have said. (All ages)
Book Genre Bingo – June 1-Aug 12. Adults, we have a summer reading challenge for you, too! Do you always read cozy mysteries, or is fantasy your go-to? Try new genres this summer! Pick up a Bingo card and complete any 5 in a row, then return your card to the library by August 12 to enter the prize drawing. If you’re looking for book suggestions, library staff can help. Learn more here
Learn about Summer Reading for Adults
Visit the Library System of Lancaster County Summer Reading page for presenter information, prize details, book lists for kids, and more!
