Poplar Bluff Municipal Library invites Bluffians of all ages to “Travel Through the Pages” with summer events, reading incentives and prizes this June and July.
Festivities open in the sensory garden at the library’s Street Branch at 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 4, with face painting, games for kids and adults alike, and toys including bubbles and sidewalk chalk. Everyone who signs up for the Summer Reading Program during the event will get a book bag, fliers and coupons.
“So it’s definitely worth coming and signing up,” said Adult Services Librarian Alora Bauer.
Afterward the party migrates to Whiteley Park, where the library and Poplar Bluff Parks & Recreation Department are hosting a Summer Celebration Concert from 4-7 p.m.
The library holds summer programs annually. This year’s theme is “Traveling Through the Pages.” In addition to programs for library patrons of all ages, participants can “check in” pages they have read to earn prizes. Children’s prizes include a scooter, fairy garden kit and Kindle. Teen grand prizes include an Occulus Meta Quest 2 headset and an iPad Mini. Adults can win an iPad Mini and Kindle Fire. All age categories can also win a bicycle. Weekly drawings include squid hats and goody bags for teens and gift cards for adults.
The library is also distributing passports to earn participants more chances to win.
“So if you bring these to any of the events that we have, you’ll get a special stamp in your passport which will count toward extra entries (for) the grand prize,” Bauer explained.
She added kids will get a toy chest prize with each passport stamp.
All June and July events include:
June 1-July 6, Teen Writing Workshop, 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays at the Main Branch.
June 4, Kickoff Event, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Main Branch.
June 7-July 7, Kids Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 2 p.m. Thursdays at the Main Branch.
June 11, Life-Size Game Night, 7-9 p.m. at the Main Branch.
June 13, “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” Escape Room, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Main Branch.
June 17, Snakes Alive! presentation by the Missouri Department of Conservation, 2 p.m. at the Main Branch.
June 21, Adult Crafting, 4-6 p.m. at the Main Branch.
June 24, Teen Hangout Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Main Branch.
June 27, All Ages Crafting, 4-6 p.m. at the Main Branch.
June 30, Open Mic Night for music, comedy, poetry and more, 6-8 p.m. at Foxtrot Coffee.
July 9, Break and Make Kintsugi Art Program, 4 p.m. at the Ridgel Branch.
July 12, Marty the Magician, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Main Branch.
July 13, Marty the Magician, 10 a.m. at the Main Branch.
July 15, Teen Hangout Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Main Branch.
July 20, Mad Science, 2 p.m. at the Main Branch.
July 22, Intro to Fly Fishing, 2 p.m. at the Main Branch.
July 23, Intro to Fly Fishing, 11 a.m. at the Main Branch.
More information about the Summer Reading Program, library passports, prizes and events is available at poplarbluff.org/read, by calling 573-686-8639 or visiting either Poplar Bluff Municipal Library branch. The Main Branch is located at 318 N. Main St. and the Ridgel Branch is at 3398 Kanell Blvd.