Summer Reading begins Saturday, June 1 and runs through August 10, 2024
Join us on Saturday, August 3rd to celebrate all you have accomplished this summer! Drop in to the library from 9:30-11 a.m. for our End of Summer Party! Enjoy Cookies, Joyful Canvas Face Painting, Papa Tater Magic Show (sponsored by Blue Ridge) & Raffle Prize (6 mo. Family Membership to Reading Public Museum). The first 50 families receive a gift book. Also, be sure to return your Summer Reading Log to receive prizes! For all ages.
From June 1 – August 3, you can stop by the library anytime to pick up a packet or sign up for Summer Reading online with Beanstack.
Kids from birth through age 19 can earn awesome prizes for logging their reading and activities 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!
Lancaster libraries offer you two ways to track your summer reading. You can use the paper forms in your summer reading packet OR you can log your books on any connected device with Beanstack. If you’re ready to go digital – register for Beanstack or download the mobile app!
We have SO MANY free events for children, adults, teens and families this summer! Check the schedule below and join us at your local parks for animal adventures, music, crafts, and so much more!
2024 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
Brubaker Park, 436 Long Ln, Brecknock (East Earl)
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
Schoeneck Park, 140 W. Queen Street, Schoeneck
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.
JUNE
Opening Day Drive-Thru Party — Saturday, June 1 from 9-11 a.m. at Denver Park, 801 Main Street, Denver. Stay in your car while picking up your Summer Packet, snacks, gifts, crafts, Refreshing Mountain raffle prizes, Fire Truck, Police Car, and SOOOO much more. First 200 kids get Boehringer’s Ice Cream Cone Coupon. For families.
Pet Rock Painting — Monday, June 3 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. You are going to need a friend to take along on all your adventures this Summer! Join us as we create a pocket size pal. Lancaster County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All ages.
Refreshing Mountain Nature Shows – Tuesdays June 4 & 11, July 2 & 16 at 10 a.m. Come and hear all about native and exotic creatures from around the world. 455 Camp Rd. Stevens, PA 17578. Park in Lot B and meet at Pavilion C. All Ages.
Electric Bike Demo — Wednesday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Officer Michelle L. Cook will demonstrate the latest addition to the Ephrata Police Department. For all ages. In place of Budding Bookworms Storytime.
Escape Room: The Euphorigen Investigation – Wednesday, June 5 at 6 p.m. Should the government add a brain-boosting supplement to the public water supply? Test your wits in this escape room by solving puzzles that immerse you in a world of manipulated media, social media bots, deepfakes and other forms of deception. Prizes will be awarded, made possible by a digital literacy grant from Kinetic by Windstream. In-person at the library. Registration is requested. For adults and teens ages 14 & up.
Creepy Crawly Party — Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m. at Schoeneck Park. Face your fears with this exciting opportunity to learn about all things scaly and slimy, possibly collecting and handling real live insects and other not-so creepy crawlies. In this program we will read the book Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs, and Other Ughs by Anthony Fredericks and study these bugs up close and personal. Presented by Lancaster County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
Adventure Movie Trivia — Monday, June 10 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. How well do you know Disney Adventure Movies? Compete with other Mouseketeer families. For all ages.
Drop-In STEAM – Tuesday, June 11, drop-in from 3-5 p.m. at the library. Activities include Bridge Building (Build a Lego® or Knex bridge and car; Design a bridge with different materials). An adult is required to accompany children under 8. Please note, there will be no STEAM in July or August.
Teen SummerZine – Tuesdays, June 11 (In-person at Manheim Twp Library & live via Zoom) & 25 (ZOOM ONLY) from 4-5:30 PM – Jamie Beth Cohen. Tuesdays, July 9 & 23 from 4-5:30 PM (In-person at Manheim Twp Library & live via Zoom) – Gene Baretta. Tuesdays, Aug 6 & 20 from 4-5:30 PM (In-person at Manheim Twp Library & live via Zoom) – Adam Perry. Attention writers, 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. The second meeting of each month is for sharing creative work and giving/receiving feedback with our mentor authors. Bring something you’re working on or just listen and learn! Registration Required. For ages 12-19
Mark DeRose Music & Art Show — Wednesday June 12 at 1:30 p.m. at Adamstown Grove. Mark DeRose encourages young listeners to embrace & enjoy life to its fullest, be creative, and most importantly, confidently be themselves. For all ages.
Animal Migration Adventures — Friday, June 14 at 10 a.m. at Chapel Gate Park, Reinholds. Some animals go on an amazing adventure every year called migration! We will read Going Home: The Mystery of Animal Migration by Marianne Berkes and play a game to better understand the challenges faced by migrating birds. See if you can survive the great migration challenge! Presented by Lancaster County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
Cookbook Club – Saturday, June 15 at 12 pm. What is a Cookbook Club? Like a book club, members meet to discuss books and enjoy each other’s company along with some great food. Who can join in? Everyone! The meeting is a potluck meal. Each person is invited to check out any library cookbook, make an item from it to share, and offer their review of the cookbook as well as any notes or suggestions about the recipe they created. Please RSVP if possible (even if it’s the day of the event!). Bring the book along or ask at the library desk for a free copy of your recipe so everyone can see your ingredient list. Adults/teens/all ages.
Drop-in Craft: Adventure Collection Pouch — Monday, June 17, drop-in 10-11:30 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. You are going to need a place to store all your treasures from the many adventures you take this summer! Drop-in to craft a decorative bag. For families.
Almost Perfect Crimes — Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join Miss Jess as we discover “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 teens and adults due to some graphic content.
Library Closed – Wednesday, June 19 . The library will be closed on Juneteenth.
Let’s Explore a Stream — Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m. at Reamstown Park. Get into the water and collect critters that live in our local waterways. Be sure to wear closed-toe & closed-back shoes. Presented by Lancaster County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
Ed Klein Cartoon Drawing — Monday June 24 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Instructions on the basics of cartooning so you can caricature the world around you, create original cartoons, and draw your favorite characters. Ed Klein has drawn for The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Studios, Don Bluth Animation Studios, Hanna Barbera Studios, Hyperion Studios, Filmation Studios, Ross Bagdasarian Productions, Calabash Animation Studios, K.C.M.P. Productions, and numerous independent and commercial studios in New York and throughout the country. Space is limited and registration is required. For all ages.
Burrowing Adventures — Friday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at Brubaker Park, East Earl. Learn about life underground, the creatures who live in burrows (with puppets and pelts) and unleash your inner animal as we play in a life-size pretend burrow. Presented by Lancaster County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
JULY
Refreshing Mountain Nature Shows – Tuesdays, July 2 & 16. Come and hear all about native and exotic creatures from around the world. 455 Camp Rd. Stevens, PA 17578. Park in Lot B and meet at Pavilion C. All Ages.
Library Closed – Thursday, July 4. The library will be closed on the Fourth of July.
Ryan “The Bug Man” Bridge — Monday July 8 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. See 100’s of bugs and insects from around the world. Listen to the crazy-cool adventures Ryan had while searching for those creatures. Insects are the most important part of the ecosystem and critical to the survival of nearly everything on the Planet! For all ages.
Teen SummerZine – Tuesdays, July 9 & 23 from 4-5:30 PM (In-person at Manheim Twp Library & live via Zoom) – Gene Baretta. Tuesdays, Aug 6 & 20 from 4-5:30 PM (In-person at Manheim Twp Library & live via Zoom) – Adam Perry. Attention writers, 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. The second meeting of each month is for sharing creative work and giving/receiving feedback with our mentor authors. Bring something you’re working on or just listen and learn! Registration Required For ages 12-19
Erick Hershey Magician — Wednesday July 10 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Join us on a magical journey. The show features magical illusions that show how READING can take us on amazing adventures in our imagination! Wonder, laughter and mystery abound, with plenty of audience participation. All ages.
Animal Olympics — Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at Denver Park. Be a part of the Animal Olympics! Participants will be challenged with the same physical prowess as creatures in the animal kingdom: jumping, running, breath holding and even the sloth crawl. Everyone will be celebrated, and it will all be in the name of fun! Presented by Lancaster County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
Phredd, Ukulele One Man Band — Monday July 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Adamstown Grove. Fun, interactive, educational fun with Phredd – the Ukulele Flailing, Harmonica Wailing, Suitcase Drumming, Kazoo Hum-Humming, Ukulele Bundle of Joy! All ages.
Almost Perfect Crimes — Tuesday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join Miss Jess as we discover “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 teens and adults due to some graphic content.
Where the Wild Things Are — Friday, July 19 at 10 a.m. at Reamstown Park. Join a Naturalist for Where the Wild Things Are. We will share the book by Maurice Sendak, followed by a discussion of the book and what kids think are the scariest real animals. Kids will learn interesting facts about Mountain Lions, Grizzly Bears, Sharks, and Rattle Snakes, and play games that focus on each animal, including ‘pin the tooth on the mountain lion’, ‘feed the shark’, ‘don’t let the Grizzly steal your fish’, and more. Presented by Lancaster County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
Raven Ridge Live Wildlife — Monday, July 22 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Come see PA reptiles, mammals, and birds of prey, up close… like a skunk!!! This will be a program you will be talking about for a long time to come. All Ages.
Jesse Rothacker: Being a REPTILE is an adventure! — Wednesday July 24 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Being a
REPTILE is an adventure! These ectothermic animals are buried alive as babies, grow up as orphans, and learn how to survive without teachers or parents! Come laugh and learn with Jesse and his scaley sidekicks. For all ages.
Water Olympics — Friday, July 26 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Be a part of the Water Olympics! Each team will be given challenges to solve with water. As the challenges are met, team members will learn interesting new things about water, water molecules, why water molecules act as they do, and how they affect all things around them. Presented by Lancaster County Dept. of Parks & Rec. All Ages.
Survival Skills 101/Fire – Monday, July 29 at 7 p.m. at Adamstown Grove. Join local outdoor enthusiast Jaime Winter for a hands-on intro to the Bow Drill, a time-honored technique for fire starting in the backcountry. We will discuss useful materials, where to look for them and how to craft them into the tools you’ll need. We’ll cover several basic skills involved with an emphasis on safety, and participants will have the chance to build a coal with the bow drill. Jaime will also demonstrate how to successfully start a fire with a flint key. Jaime is an avid backpacker. He has taught outdoor leadership at Lock Haven University, led hikes for many outdoor organizations, and served as a Wilderness EMT. For adults & teens ages 14+. Please register.
AUGUST
End of Summer Party — Saturday, Aug 3, drop in 9:30-11 a.m. at the library. Let’s celebrate all you have accomplished this summer with Cookies, Joyful Canvas Face Painting, Papa Tater Magic Show (sponsored by Blue Ridge) & Raffle Prize (6 mo. Family Membership to Reading Public Museum). The first 50 families receive a gift book. Also, be sure to return your Summer Reading Log to receive prizes! All Ages.
Critter Connections – Monday August 5 at 10 a.m. at Adamstown Grove. Hands-on, educational program featuring a rabbit, guinea pig, variety of geckos, bearded dragon, turtles, insects, and snakes. Children and adults will enjoy their experience! For all ages.
Teen SummerZine – Tuesdays, Aug 6 & 20 from 4-5:30 PM (In-person at Manheim Twp Library & live via Zoom) – Adam Perry. Attention writers, 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. The second meeting of each month is for sharing creative work and giving/receiving feedback with our mentor authors. Bring something you’re working on or just listen and learn! Registration Required For ages 12-19
Almost Perfect Crimes — Tuesday, August 20 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join Miss Jess as we discover “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 teens and adults due to some graphic content.
Geocaching in the Park – Weds., August 21 at 6:30 p.m. Come out to the Adamstown Grove and try your hand at geocaching! A Lancaster County Park Naturalist will first teach you the basics of using a GPS unit that will be provided for you to use. If you have an app on your cell phone, you can also use that. There will be several hidden caches for you to find while you practice using the GPS unit along with your keen sense of observation. Geocaching is a great family activity as well as a hobby enjoyed by many adults. All ages welcome.
All Summer Long
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.
Where Have You Been? Wall Map — What exciting place did you visit this summer? Stop in the children’s room and place a sticker on your vacation destination! Maps of PA and USA available so we all can see where our patrons have traveled! All Ages.
“Replace Screen Time with Green Time” – Per the National Wildlife Federation, “The average American child spends as few as 30 minutes in unstructured outdoor play each day and more than seven hours each day in front of an electronic screen.” Fresh air and sunlight not only lift the spirits – outdoor time boosts the immune system, reduces stress, improves sleep, and sharpens the mind. You’ll find books on display this summer that inspire adventure: Laura Wilder, Narnia, Camping, Survival and more!
Adult Summer Reading Bingo – June 1-August 31
Year-Round Programs
Friends Book Sale – Every Tuesday in the community room. Hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 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.
“Twinkling Stars” Baby Storytime – Every Thursday at 10 a.m. Simple stories, rhymes, puppets, songs, and fingerplays. For babies with adults.
“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. For toddlers with adults.
Mah-Jongg Group – Experienced players as well as people wanting to learn are invited to drop in to play Mah-Jongg on the first Monday (June 3, July 1, August 5 from 6-8:30 p.m.), second Wednesday (June 12, July 10, August 14 from 1-3:30 p.m.), or third Thursday (June 20, July 18, August 22 from 6-8:30 p.m.) of each month. Please see listed dates as partial weeks may affect dates held. For adults and teens.
Connect with a Social Worker at the library – Every Friday from 9:30 am to noon. Are you facing challenges or seeking support in your life? A licensed social worker from REAL Life Community Services is here to help! To make an appointment, call Emelia at 717-336-7797 option 1 or email her at Emelia@reallcs.org.
Technology Help – Fridays by appointment from 1-3 p.m. Could you use some help with your mobile devices? Or maybe you want to learn Word or apply for a job online? Come to the library! Library staff will provide free one-on-one technology training, assistance with online job applications, or help with your electronic device. Reserve your appointment online or contact the library at 717-484-4200 to schedule. https://calendly.com/adm-tech/tech-help
Doggie Downtime – 10:45 a.m. on the first Weds. Do you need some tail-wagging tranquility in your life? Gaze into “Twinkle’s” big, beautiful, calming eyes to help wash your troubles away! (Therapy Dogs International). Join us on the first Wednesday of each month. For all ages. Wednesday, June 5, July 3 & August 7. In June, Twinkle will go to the park to visit with the kids before she comes to the library a 10:45.
Young At Heart – 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 from 9-11 a.m. For more information, call 717-336-7797 or visit REALLCS.org.
Sit & Knit – 11 a.m. on the first and third Fridays of each month. Do you knit or crochet? Bring your latest project and join your fellow crafters on the comfy chairs in front of the fireplace. Drop-in to work on your craft, get inspired, trade tips, and chat in a comfortable, relaxed setting. All ages and skill levels welcome. Friday, June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19.
Genealogy Group – This group meets at the library on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. for lively discussions, research help or short talks from genealogy researcher Ken McCrea. For older students and adults. Tuesday, June 11, July 9, August 13 at 6:30 p.m.
MJWK (Miss Jess wants to Know) – Teens, we want your opinion! Stop in the Young Adult and Teen Graphic Novel Book Section of the library for the question of the month! With this simple voting passive program, teens can vote with a sticker dot to select their favorite. Results will be posted on our Facebook page at the end of the month.
Visit the Library System of Lancaster County Summer Reading page for presenter information, prize details, book lists for kids, and more!
