With school winding down for the year, the Clearwater, Becker, and Big Lake Libraries have a host of programs and other interests for everyone in the family to enjoy over the next three months.

“The public library offers a place where kids can access resources based on their interests,” said Becker/Big Lake Librarian Hilary Dawson. “For one person, that might mean reading every book we have on sharks, to the next it could be reading through a fiction series like the Magic Tree House or Wings of Fire.”

On June 9, the annual Summer Reading Program kicks off, this year following the theme ‘Level Up at Your Library!’ The reading challenge runs through August 9 and is designed to help students keep reading and keep their minds active all summer long. Programs are available for children 0-12 and teens in grades 6-12. Participants can again keep track of their reading time with paper reading records or by downloading the Beanstack Tracker app.

“The Summer Reading Challenge will have a variety of prizes for completed reading slips,” said Clearwater Librarian Tera Fogal. “I urge youth to come into the library and see the great prizes!”

Along with the Summer Reading Program, there is a large array of programs scheduled to keep everyone entertained this summer. 

In June, the Clearwater Library is offering Alcohol Ink Art on the 11th and hosting a Jolly Pops concert on June 21. On July 1 toddlers can bring their favorite teddy bear or other stuffed animal to the Teddy Bear Clinic being held in collaboration with Wright Co. Public Health. All age levels can step into the Popup Ping-Pong Park on July 10 and play table tennis in conjunction with Clearwater’s Music in the Park held at Eldorado Park.

Play and Learn with Coding Fun is coming July 22, and the Paws to Read program will be at the library on July 19 and August 2. Also in August is the Wright Co. Dairy Princess Story Time and Cardboard Invention Convention.

The Becker and Big Lake Libraries also have numerous programs scheduled this summer that are both entertaining and enriching. Children and families can take part in Jolly Pops, Dollipops, Table Tennis, Tiny School of Art, Design a Game, All Season Forts, and more.

For adults, the Becker and Big Lake Libraries are offering Tiny Art Summer, Coffee Plus, Book Club, Coffee Talk, and the Financial Wellness series. During the Becker Freedom Days celebration, the Becker Library will be hosting a Dollipops Outdoor Concert on June 11 and the Becker Friends of the Library will be having their book sale June 12. Both events will be at the Becker Community Center.

“We would like to thank all the generous sponsors of our Summer Reading Challenge,” said Dawson. “Especially Liberty Paper and our local Friends of the Library organization for providing prizes at the Becker and Big Lake Libraries.”

The goal of the libraries this time of year is to get kids in particular coming in to help defeat the ‘summer slide,’ which occurs when students fall backward in learning during their three-month summer break. The benefits of reading during this time are huge. Research has shown that students who continue reading throughout the summer score higher on reading achievement tests in the fall than those who didn’t.

“Reading for enjoyment fosters a love of reading and learning,” said Dawson. “It helps maintain and build upon the skills learned during the school year which combats ‘summer slide.’” 

Join the fun at the Clearwater, Becker, and Big Lake libraries this summer. The branches belong to the Great River Regional Library system. For more information on programs available at all branches, visit griver.org/events. 

It’s a great time of year to go outside with a book and enjoy the warm summer weather!