The mystery of what to do over summer break has been solved! Polk County Library welcomes the community to participate in “Summer Reading is Afoot!” starting on Monday, June 5. The 2023 Summer Reading Program is all about mystery and discovering the community we’re in.
Running from Monday, June 5 to Saturday, Aug. 5, the Summer Reading Program will have programs and events for all ages at all of the branches. Events for the Bolivar community include “The Unsolved Mysteries of Magic” with Marty the Magician, “Science is Astounding” presented by Mad Science, “Kids in the Kitchen” with the MU Extension Office, “Mysteries of History” presented by the Polk County Genealogical Society and “Meet A Detective” with the Bolivar Police Department. Adult events include True Crime Trivia Night and “Demise of the Downhome Dealers,” an interactive murder mystery dinner theatre production. New this year are teen-only events, such as “Escape the Mystery Manor,” an escape room experience with the Bolivar Police Department, “Healthy Changes” with the MU Extension Office and a Super Smash Bros. tournament.
Each branch will also be having summer reading events, like the Stuffed Animal Sleepover at Humansville, Diamond Painting at Morrisville and Family Game nights at Fair Play, as well as their normal weekly and monthly programs.
The Rayl Family Library in Bolivar is currently undergoing renovation. As a result, all Bolivar programs will be held offsite and throughout the community. Branch programs will continue at their regular times and locations. Bolivar’s weekly programs Story Hour (ages 0-5) and Bookish Beginnings (ages 6-12) will both be happening at Dunnegan Memorial Park. The library's annual end-of-summer “Wet ‘n Wild” event will take place on July 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cribbs Family Youth Park, and it will feature free food (while supplies last), bounce house, and water play activities.
A complete list of all of the Summer Reading Program events and locations are on Polk County Library’s website at http://www.polkcolibrary.org/summerreadingisafoot/. Some library programs require registration as space may be limited, so please call the library in advance to sign up.
Participants of all ages – whether or not they possess a library card – can download the Beanstack app in order to register or sign in to their free account. Accommodations can be made for individuals who do not have reliable Internet service to participate in the Summer Reading Program. Once registered for the challenge, patrons can log their reading time and completed activities. Each of the five age groups, Babies and Toddlers (0-2 years), Preschool (3-5 years), Children (6-12 years), Teens (13-17 years) and Adults (18+ years), have activities specific to that group.
To complete the Summer Reading Program, participants will need to earn the required number of reading and/or activity badges for their age group. Upon completion, patrons will win a completion prize and be entered into a drawing for the grand prize in their age category. The grand prize for the Baby and Toddler age group is a Discover Detective Toy Bundle, the grand prize for the Preschool age group is a Forensic Detective Kit and the grand prize for the Children age group is a Spy Bundle. In their respective grand prize drawings, teens could win a $100 Walmart gift card, and adults could win a $100 Amazon gift card.
The library’s Summer Reading Program was made possible in part by a $5,676.00 grant provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. With this funding, Polk County Library was able to provide library books, program supplies, staff wages, and educational presenters for Summer Reading Program initiatives.
All events and submissions for the Summer Reading Program will end on August 5. Patrons are also welcome to call or visit the library for help creating their account, editing their information, or logging their completions. For more information about Summer Reading is Afoot and to get registered, stop by the library at 1690 W. Broadway, call 417-326-4531 or visit the website at polkcolibrary.org.
