This time of the summer many kids have begun getting bored and are looking for something new to do. Luckily, the Becker, Big Lake, and Clearwater communities all have public libraries to help parents fill the void and get kids’ minds ready to go back to school.

Although the Summer Reading Program is wrapping up (the last day to return slips is Aug. 7), the libraries still have a lot to offer kids that can challenge them.

“If the heat has everyone trapped indoors, Brain Fitness Kits include several games to help alleviate boredom without a monetary investment,” said Clearwater Library Services Coordinator Shelly Kuelbs. “We also have Try-It-Yourself kits available in topics like jewelry making, clay sculpting, knitting, disc golf, and telescopes.”

When the family is ready to head back outside, Stearns Co. Park Passes can now be checked out from the Clearwater Library and all GRRL branches in Stearns Co. The passes can be checked out for up to seven days to be used for free parking. The park pass program is a collaboration between GRRL and the Stearns Co. Parks Dept.

Patrons at the Becker and Big Lake locations are currently playing back-to-school Bingo, with prizes of school supplies that will be needed for the upcoming school year. Bingo calls are posted in the libraries every Monday.

Of course, the libraries are also full of their main attraction – books!

“Summer is a great time for kids to explore what they like to read instead of what they have to read,” said Kuelbs. “All reading helps to prevent summer slide, including graphic novels, cookbook recipes, and video game manuals, so help your kids find something they’ll love.”

“You still have a couple weeks to get some solid reading in before the school year starts,” said Becker/Big Lake Library Services Coordinator Jeannette Burkhardt. “Any little bit of reading helps prepare kids for the upcoming school year, and your reading helps us finish the ‘Mystery Mosaic’ in Becker and Big Lake.”

Don’t have a library card yet? Applying for one has never been easier, as an e-card can be obtained by visiting GRiver.org. E-cards give patrons access to GRRL’s digital books and audiobooks and can be used to check out items on Hoopla, including books, movies, and episodes of television shows. They can be transferred to a physical card at any time just by stopping in at the library.

Becker Public Library has two upcoming take and makes. Magazine Beads Take and Make Kits will be available Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 3 to 4 p.m., and Rainbow Paper Quills Take and Make Kits will be available Thursday, Aug. 12 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Big Lake Public Library also has two upcoming take and makes. Mystery Braided Cuff Take and Make Kit will be available on Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and Crepe Paper Flowers Take and Make Kit will be available Thursday, August 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Adults looking for something new should check out “The Great Courses,” which is comprised of over 500 different video and audio classes taught by some of the world’s greatest professors on academic topics such as economics, law, fine arts, and meditation and mindfulness just to name a few. The Great Courses are available on audio and video discs and streaming on Hoopla.

The fifth featured title in the One Book/One Minnesota program is also available right now as a hard copy from GRRL’s collection or as a digital copy from E-Books Minnesota. The award-winning book, Murder on the Red River, is a mystery written by award-winning author Marcie Rendon.

Local libraries couldn’t exist without the support of their communities. Krebs extended a thank-you to Kwik Trip, the Clearwater Area Friends of the Library, and local citizens for their donations and support of this year’s Summer Reading Program. Burkhardt also expressed thanks to the communities and Friends of the Library for supporting their Summer Reading Programs along with other programs and kits.

Great River Regional Library provides library services at 33 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright Counties. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly one million books, CDs, and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming, and information services.