The Lawrence Public Library will score a goal with its summer reading program that combines books, the FIFA World Cup and dinosaurs.
“Every day at the library, we celebrate reading’s ability to broaden perspectives, inspire your imagination, and start meaningful conversations,” the library’s summer reading guide says. “With World Cup teams practicing and playing nearby and the larger-than-life presence of dinosaurs around the library, this summer will be chock-full of opportunities for moments of inspiration and connection.”
Summer is a critical time for students to keep their brains engaged since they’re out of school. LPL is joining seven other libraries around the Kansas City metro area this year for a reading extravaganza called “Read, Score, Roar!” to make sure that kids and teens keep learning and growing over summer break — they’re even throwing in some fun for the adults, too.
Summer reading at the library runs from Thursday, May 21 through Saturday, Aug. 15. Participants from babies to adults are encouraged to get 30 “points” by reading 10 books or listening to 30 hours of audiobooks during that time.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
The summer reading kickoff party, themed around “Dinosoccer!,” will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 21 on the library lawn, 707 Vermont St.
Youth of all ages are invited to enjoy live DJ sets from KJHK, free cookies from Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, bubbles, crafts, games and giveaways. Minsky’s Pizza and Free State Brewing Company beer will be for sale.
Track your titles
“Everybody wins when everybody reads, and every finisher will get prizes thanks to our wonderful and generous sponsors,” said Karen Allen, public services supervisor. “There’s nothing like the quiet, satisfying roar of finishing a great book.”
Readers can log their books through the Beanstack app at lawrence.beakstack.org. See this page for more information about signing up for the app. Folks who prefer a paper log can get one at any library desk or download a PDF at this link.
Those who don’t let their summer reading “fossilize” and meet the challenge will win prizes and can enter raffles. More information about prizes for kids, teens and adults is available on the library’s summer reading landing page, linked above.
Free festivities
Summer reading also brings a stampede of free events for kids, teens and adults.
“Scavenger Hunt: Dino Dashers Assemble!” is a chance for kids and teens to scour local parks to find jerseys and win a “prehistoric prize.” That event runs from Monday, June 1 through Friday, July 31.
Adults can embark on their own adventure called “Dewey Decimal & the Crystal Scroll,” where they explore the library to help Info Services “solve an ancient mystery” from Monday, June 1 to Saturday, Aug. 15.
Younger kiddos can also get in on the fun with festivities like “Last Bash: Breakfast Before Time,” a prehistoric pancake party with inflatable dino guests. That goes from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 on the library lawn.
For more information about these and the dozens of other events at the library this summer, see the summer reading guide and the library’s event page.
If local news matters to you, please help us keep doing this work.
Don’t miss a beat — get the latest news from the Times delivered to your inbox:
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
This post is by the Lawrence Times news team.
If you have news tips, questions, comments, concerns, compliments or corrections for our team, please reach out and let us know what’s on your mind. Email us at [email protected] (don’t forget the KS!), or find more contact info and a quick contact form at LawrenceKSTimes.com/contact.
Follow us so you won’t miss the local news that matters most to you:
Latest Lawrence news:
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
