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The Baxter County Library is inviting readers of all ages to “Unearth a Story” this summer with reading challenges, hands-on activities and special events running through July.
The summer reading kicked off on May 16 and runs until July 18. The event features a giant bounce house obstacle course, a dig pit, themed crafts and an activity table from the Mid-America Science Museum.
The youth summer reading program is open to babies through 12th grade.
Reading goals are set by age. Babies through pre-K work toward 70 books. Kindergarten through third grade read 50 books. Fourth through sixth grade read 20 hours. Seventh through 12th grade read 30 hours.
Participants earn prizes along the way, including a ticket to play a round of mini golf at Little T’s Mini Golf & More. Youth who complete the program receive an invitation to a completer party.
Reading can be tracked online at BaxLib.Beanstack.org, in the Beanstack app or on paper logs at the Youth Services Desk. Registration is based on the grade the child has just completed.
The adult summer reading challenge runs June 1 through July 31. Adults work through a 4-by-4 reading bingo card with a variety of prompts. Completing a bingo earns a dinosaur sticker and a chance to win a Kindle, with an additional entry for blacking out the whole card. Adults can register on Beanstack or pick up a paper log at the circulation desk.
Saturday shows in May and June bring live performances to the library at 10:30 a.m. The lineup includes The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas presenting “Making Accidents Disappear” on May 30, Dinosaur Crew on June 6 with baby dinosaurs and a 12-foot T-Rex meet-and-greet, the Joe Coover Magic Show on June 13, and “Kung Fu Kitty” from Young Actors Workshop on June 27 in partnership with Twin Lakes Playhouse. No registration is required for the Saturday shows.
Families can join “Family Fun with Fossils” on June 4 at 10 a.m. and “Digging Up the Past” on June 11 at 10 a.m. Both programs are led by a Bull Shoals-White River State Park interpreter.
Children in grades K-3 can join “Dinos in the Great Outdoors,” a two-part series on June 4 and 5. Older children can sign up for a pottery workshop with an archaeologist, acrylic dinosaur painting and fused glass landscapes in early June.
Weekly story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers continue through the summer. Themed sessions include “Mother Goose and Friends” and “A Perfect Day for Digging.” Drop-in “Arti-Crafts” activities, “Dino-Mite Flicks” movie screenings and tech and maker programs are scheduled throughout June.
Registration is required for most summer programs.
Full details and registration are available at BaxLib.org/Events or by calling the library at 870-580-0987.
