EDITOR’S NOTE: For the latest information, including cancellations, please contact your local library. If any listing is inaccurate or to submit an event, please contact Julie Norwood at julie.norwood@pioneergroup.com.
Big Rapids Community Library
426 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids
Scavenger Hunt. Piece It Together. All month long. Ages 6-12. Stop by the circulation desk on the first floor of the library for an activity sheet and more information on participating in June’s Scavenger Hunt. Once it has been completed, turn your sheet in for a treat!
Seed Library is Open. Take up to 10 packets of seeds with your BRCL library card. Visit the first-floor desk for more information.
Storytime in the Park: 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 23 at the Bandshell, along the Riverwalk and behind Big Rapids Middle School. Join Mr. Howard for stories, songs, movement, and music.
2023 Summer Reading Program: June 5 to Aug. 17. Participate in the ALL AGES reading program to earn books, rewards, and a chance to win fun prizes! Register in the library or on Beanstack. Find more information at www.bigrapidslibrary.org under the 2023 Summer Reading Program tab. All events are in the Literacy Park, next to the library, unless otherwise noted.
Archives Overview. 6 p.m. July 25, in the BRCL Community Room. Take a guided tour through the Archives of Michigan with their staff archivist. Learn about the types of records they have, how to access the archives, and their collection resources. Registration is recommended.
Movies in the Park. 9:15 p.m. July 28. Join us for a free movie at sundown. Bring your own blanket and snack. Find title information at www.bigrapidslibrary.org.
Zoo Day with John Ball Zoo: 11 a.m. Aug. 3. Up-close encounters with live zoo animals at the Literacy Park. All ages welcome.
Dinosaur Day with PaleoJoe: 11 a.m. Aug. 10. Take a trip back in time to learn about prehistoric animals and plants.
Movie in the Park: 8:45 p.m. Aug. 18. Join us for a free movie at sundown. Bring your own blanket and snack. Find title information at www.bigrapidslibrary.org.
Morton Township Library
110 S. James St., Mecosta, 231-972-8315
Summer Reading Program: Children of all ages are invited to join us for an exciting summer of reading, special events, and fun. For a schedule of events, visit morton.michlibrary.org/ or contact the library.
Summer Reading Challenge: June 14-July 26. Pre-readers and readers, toddlers to age 18, are invited to participate in our summer reading challenge! Completers will receive a prize bag on or after July 26.
Events for children: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 14-July 26.
Events for tweens/teens, entering fifth through 12th grades: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 22-July 27
Summer Preschool Story Hour: 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays, June 13-July 27. Children, ages 0 -5, and parents/caregivers are invited to join us for an hour of fun. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, crafts and a snack.
Walton Erickson Public Library
4808 Northland Drive, Morley
Summer Reading Program: “The Nature Around Us.” Features stories, crafts and treats. For pre-K through fifth
Ever after Butterfly: 10-11:30 a.m. July 25
Reed City Area District Library
829 S. Chestnut St., Reed City
Story Hour (ages 3-7): 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Read to Judd, the husky shepherd: 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays. Stop by to read Judd a story, or to just say hi and pet him.
Summer Reading Program:
Photography with Mr. Brian: 5 p.m. July 25. Registration opens at 11 a.m. July 18
Nature 911 w/ John Borkovich: 5 p.m. Aug. 1
Steel Drums: 1 p.m. Aug. 8
Bees with Thornapple Woodlands: 1 p.m. Aug. 15
Final Day to turn in bookmarks: Noon on Aug. 18
Grand Prize Drawing: 4 p.m. Aug. 18
Summer Reading Program Finale: Noon on Aug. 19. Features a foam party, food and snakcs.
Adult Reading Challenge: July 1-Aug. 4. Stop by the library to pick up a punch car. Read five books to be entered into the grand prize drawing. Multiple cards may be entered.
Tamarack District Library
832 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview
Animals of Our Ocean: 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. World Renowned underwater photographer, Maris and Marilyn Kazmers, will present pictures of sharks, whales, manatees, crocodiles and more while scuba diving in the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Call 989-352-6274 to sign up for this free program that is open to the public.
Harry Potter Drawing Class: 11 a.m. Monday, July 31. For all ages, best for ages 6 and older. Parent/guardians are strongly encouraged to assist young children. No prior drawing experience is needed. Call 989-352-6274 to signup for this free program that is open to the public. Pizza will be served at noon after the drawing class.
Library Art Show: We are looking for entries to our art show. Entries and registrations can be dropped off July 31 through Aug. 8. Limit of three entries per person; it can not be artwork displayed in the last 3 years. Registration forms can be picked up at the library during regular business hours. If you have any questions, please call 989-352-6274.
Michigan Mysteries: 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3. Shipwreck hunter and author Ross Richardson explore some of Michigan region’s most mysterious disappearances and how some of these baffling cold cases get solved. Includes shipwreck stories and documentation and updates on current searches for missing aircraft. Call 989-352-6274 to sign up for this free program that is open to the public.
LIST OF LIBRARIES
MECOSTA COUNTY
Big Rapids Community Library, 426 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids, 231-796-5234
Morton Township Library 110 S. James St., Mecosta, 231-972-8315
Walton Erickson Public Library, 4808 Northland Drive, Morley, 231-856-4298
Wheatland Township Library, 207 Michigan Ave, Remus, 989-967-8271
Barryton Public Library, Barryton Branch, 198 Northern Ave., Barryton, 989-382-5288
Barryton Public Library, Chippewa Branch, 19171 Fourth St., Chippewa Lake, 231-867-2014
OSCEOLA COUNTY
Reed City Area District Library, 829 S. Chestnut St., Reed City, 231-832-2131
Evart Public Library, 104 N. Main St., Evart, 231-734-5542
LeRoy Community Library, 104 W. Gilbert St., Leroy, 231-768-4493
M. Alice Chapin Memorial Library, 120 E. Main St., Marion, 231-743-2421
Tustin Community Library, 310 S. Neilson St., Tustin, 231-829-3012
LAKE COUNTY
Pathfinder Community Library, 812 Michigan Ave, Baldwin, 231-745-4010
Chase Township Public Library, 8400 E. North St., Chase, 231-832-9511
Luther Area Library, 115 State St., Luther, 231-797-8006
MONTCALM COUNTY
Tamarack District Library, 832 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview, 989-352-6274
AREA BOOK CLUBS