Celebrate the start of the Summer Reading Program across the street from the Library in the Gene Leahy Mall. Merlyn the Magician will delight and amaze. We'll also have music that all ages can dance to.

Parents, babies and toddlers will enjoy this nursery rhyme program that incorporates rhyming games, puppets, songs and musical instruments.

Have fun playing games, singing karaoke and having your face painted.

Join in the fun at Florence Branch and start the summer out right! We will have make and take crafts, face-painting, balloon animals and a registration booth for the "Dream Big" Summer Reading Program! Look at our summer activities and sign up for some great events.

Head over to the Saddlebrook Branch to kick off your summer of reading.
10 a.m. – Storytime
11 a.m. – Reptiles with Pam Cheever (Do you see snakes in your dreams or your nightmares?)
Noon – Food to fuel your reading (i.e. CAKE!)
1-4 p.m. – Family Make and Take Craft
ALL DAY - Everyone from age 0-100 can sign up for the Summer Reading Program. Bring your friends and the whole family!

We have a fun-filled day planned to kick off our summer reading program for kids, teens and adults!

We will have family activities throughout the day including:
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Farm Animal Fun Petting Zoo
1 - 5 p.m. Bounce House
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.- Ginger Snaps the Clown and Balloons

For the teens, there is a teen gaming program from 2-5 (registration is required).

There is also an after-hours event planned for adults 21 and over - Beer 101 (also requiring registration).

Popcorn and lemonade will be served in the afternoon. While you are here, sign the whole family up for the summer reading program!

Celebrate the beginning of summer with the children in your life. Enjoy stories, songs, and creative movement. Interaction and participation are encouraged.

Have fun while working out! Try out yoga, do strength training, aerobics and even balance games. Registration required.

Willa Cather is hosting its Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party! Help us to Dream Big by stopping by our film station where we will create a fantastic YouTube commercial for the Summer Reading Program.
2- 4 p.m. - Refreshments for adults, film station for all ages.
2- 3 p.m. - Party games for children.
3- 3:30 p.m. - Piñatas! One children’s piñata. One teen piñata.

Refreshments will be provided.

If you are age 11 or up, develop or improve your babysitting skills at this clinic presented by the Douglas County Extension Office. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the day. Online registration begins May 7. Registration required.

Explore the wonderful world of science with a presenter from Egad! Science.

Come to the Willa Cather Branch for a fun Star Wars-themed craft!

Read books, sing songs, play games and make crafts. Fun for toddlers/preschoolers.

Join your friends at the Library on Wednesday mornings anytime between 10:30 a.m. and Noon to "Dream Big" and make a craft of the week. Crafts are geared for children in K-4th grade. All supplies will be provided for this free event.

Enjoy stories, fingerplays, creative movement and rhythm time with the toddler in your life. Interaction and participation are encouraged.

Join us for a chance to see some LIVE reptiles and amphibians, maybe some insects, too! Learn about their habits and habitats. Please come early as space is limited.

Dream Big with Poppin’ Penelope’s fantastic balloon creations! Penelope creates a show filled with humor and creative fun. The first 60 children attending will receive a free balloon creation at the end of the show.

Use your imagination to build anything you want with Legos. Snack provided.

Children will enjoy stories, flannelboard stories, songs, fingerplays, rhythm instruments and parachute fun. Pre-registration is not required.

Join our special guest, storyteller Diane Cox for a mix of folktales, family stories and song. You'll be encouraged to be a part of the stories in this interactive program.

Celebrate with hula hoops, parachutes and rhythm instruments while learning songs, games and fingerplays with special presenter Brenda Jones! Toddler and preschool age. Registration required. Limited to 25. Please sign up for one program only.

Poppin' Penelope is more than just a balloon artist, Poppin' Penelope will take the stage with a wildly entertaining comedy magic show. You will be amazed with her magical powers.

Dream Big READ! Activities designed especially for 4th-6th graders. Make a dream jar to capture your dreams. Use of glue, sand, glitter and scissors. Skills: Listen, follow instructions, ability to apply liquid glue, cut, tear tissue, affix onto surface and work on project without parent's assistance. Registration is required for each week. Limit 15 children.

Create your own Dream Big plaque with a quote that will always inspire you to dream big.

Thrilling Thursday Lock-ins are back. Join us for dinner, crafts, activites, special guests and lots of fun. Children must have completed 1st grade to participate. Registration at Washington Branch is required.

Parents, babies and toddlers will enjoy this nursery rhyme program that incorporates rhyming games, puppets, songs and musical instruments.

Help tell the story of how the star constellations came to be with costumes & props.

Compete with your friends to see who has the best moves!

Take this year’s summer reading theme and catch a dream in a jar and enjoy a story!

Here's your chance to meet sugar gliders, snakes, lizards, geckos and more! You may even see some animals that are usually awake while you are dreaming.

Come to the Willa Cather for a fun craft based on the hit game "Angry Birds."

The presenters will bring sugar gliders (squirrels), snakes, lizards, geckos, tortoises, birds and more. Some animals are nocturnal. Learn where they come from and what they eat.

Join us for a traveling storytime. Meet us at First National Bank's Pioneer Courage Park (14th and Capitol) next to the wagon train at 10:30 or meet us at the library at 10 and we'll walk together.

Read books, sing songs, play games and make crafts. Fun for toddlers/preschoolers.

Join your friends at the Library on Wednesday mornings anytime between 10:30 a.m. and Noon to "Dream Big" and make a craft of the week. Crafts are geared for children in K-4th grade. All supplies will be provided for this free event.

Enjoy stories, fingerplays, creative movement and rhythm time with the toddler in your life. Interaction and participation are encouraged.

Hilarious, fast-paced, educational magical program highlighting the importance of reading and visiting the Library.

Wildlife Encounters will bring 6-8 animal ambassadors from all over the world. We will discuss wildlife conservation, each animal's habitat, adaptations and cool facts. The program incorporates the importance of reading by explaining how the best way to protect these animals and their habitat is by knowledge. The more information we gain about the animals that inhabit our world, the better chance they have to survive. And what better way to gain knowledge than reading a book!

Hilarious, fast-paced, educational magic program highlighting the importance of reading and visiting the Library. Preregistration not required.

Children will enjoy stories, flannelboard stories, songs, fingerplays, rhythm instruments and parachute fun. Pre-registration is not required.

See the magic of a magician who "Dreams Big." He will keep you entertained and laughing along with wanting to check out some great magic books from the Library when he has finished his show.

Dream Big READ! Activities designed especially for 4th-6th graders. Make a Dreamcatcher and keep only good dreams. Skills: Listen, follow instructions, use scissors, ability to wind tape and yarn, attach beads and feathers and work on project without parent's assistance. Registration is required for each week. Limit 15 children.

Thrilling Thursday Lock-ins are back. Join us for dinner, crafts, activites, special guests and lots of fun. Children must have completed 1st grade to participate. Registration at Washington Branch is required.

Parents, babies and toddlers will enjoy this nursery rhyme program that incorporates rhyming games, puppets, songs and musical instruments.

Scamper into the Library to meet everyone's favorite mouse in red cowboy boots, Lilly. We will sing fun songs, listen to a great story, and color. Don't forget your camera!

Have fun creating a summer-themed craft. Registration required.