AT THE LIBRARY: Libraries gear up for summer programs

Aug 09, 2023

Local libraries are offering events and programs for all ages. Here's a look at what's planned.

• LEGO Club meets from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. June 10. Children will explore, complete tasks, share and complete other fun LEGO activities. LEGOs will be provided

• Teen Summer Reading Program runs from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. June 13. The program is designed for tweens and teens entering grades six to 12 in the fall of 2023 to encourage life-long reading habits. Read and record a minimum of five books to be eligible for special prizes.

• Pre-K and Elementary Summer Reading Program runs from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. June 15. Programs are designed for kids in pre-kindergarten, or age 0 to entering kindergarten, and elementary, or first to fifth grade, in fall of 2023, to encourage life-long reading habits.

• The library board is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. June 15.

• Teen Summer Reading Program is set for 2 p.m. June 20 and 27. The program is designed for youth entering grades six to 12 in the fall to encourage life-long reading habits. Those who read and record a minimum of five books will be eligible for special prizes.

• Pre-K and Elementary Summer Reading Program is set for 2 p.m. June 22. Programs are designed for kids in pre-kindergarten, or age 0 to entering kindergarten, and elementary, for grades one to five, in the fall to encourage life-long reading habits.

Library hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The Armada Free Public Library is located at 73930 Church St. in Armada. For more information, call the library at 586-784-5921 or visit armadalib.org.

• Creative Writing Group meets from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 8.

• Tech help will be offered from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 9. Bring in a device and questions for help and learn how to download audiobooks and more.

• Anchor Bay Artists Inc. meets from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. June 12. The group gets together to create, demonstrate and learn new techniques for all things art. Stop by, join the fun and become a member.

• Summer Reading Kick-Off runs from noon to 2 p.m. June 15. The event will include Bubble Man, rock painting, ice cream and makerspace.

• Nonfiction Book Discussion Group meets from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 15.

• The Friends of the Library will host a used book sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 16. Organized in 2001, the volunteer group is an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and improving library services for the community.

• Painting Class with The Painted Toad Art Studio is set to run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 20. Join Rose Gottler from The Painted Toad to learn how to paint a masterpiece. The project is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

• The Chesterfield Township Library Board of Trustees meets at 6:30 p.m. June 21. The public is welcome.

• Stories in the Park runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. June 21 and 28 at Brandenburg Park, located at 50050 Jefferson Ave. in Chesterfield Township. Pull up a blanket or lawn chair for storytime in the park with children's librarian, Miss Holly. Preschool and school-age children accompanied by a parent or caregiver are invited. Stories will be followed by a craft at pavilion B.

• Preschool/Kindergarten Drawing Class takes place at 4:30 p.m. June 21 and 28. Children must be at least 3 1/2 years old and have experience coloring. Space is limited.

• Grades 1-5 Drawing Class takes place at 6 p.m. June 21 and 28. Space is limited.

• Read to Olive from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 21 and 28. Children who have a hard time reading can gain confidence in their skills by reading to a trained therapy dog.

• Meet Up & Eat Up Storytime runs from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 22 and 29 at 49645 Au Lac Drive in Chesterfield Township. Join for a storytime at the summer lunch site at Fairchild Lake.

Library hours are 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Chesterfield Township Library is located at 50560 Patricia Ave. For more information, call the library at 586-598-4900 or visit chelibrary.org.

• The library board meets at 6 p.m. June 15.

Library hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Jean Waterloo Lenox Township Library is located at 58976 Main St. in New Haven. For more information, call the library at 586-749-3430 or visit lenoxlibrary.org.

• Senior exercise takes place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 7, 12 and 14.

• Richmond Readers meets from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 15.

• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 22 and 29.

• Lapsit Plus for ages 16 months to 36 months runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 27.

• Walk & Talk Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. June 28.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Lois Wagner Memorial Library is located at 35200 Division Road in Richmond. For more information, call the library at 586-727-2665 or visit www.cityofrichmond.net/191/Lois-Wagner-Memorial-Library.

• Toddler and Preschool Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. June 8 and 29. Join Ms. Kelly at the library for stories, songs and fun. Registration is requested. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.

• Baby and Me Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. June 9 and 30. Visit the library for a book, songs and fun. Registration is required, but walk-ins will be accommodated where space allows.

• The Friends of MacDonald Public Library will host a used book sale at 10 a.m. June 3.

• Adult Art Space is set for noon June 10.

• Teen Paper Flowers & Origami is set for 4:30 p.m. June 13.

• Writer's Wednesday will take place at 5:30 p.m. June 14

• Books On Tap meets at 8 p.m. June 15 at Little Camille's By The Bay, located at 51083 Washington St. in New Baltimore.

• Teen Summer Hangout Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. June 16.

• Mini Comic Con will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 17.

• Writer's Club meets at 5:30 p.m. June 19.

• Teen Advisory Council meets at 4:30 p.m. June 20.

The library will be closed June 21 to 24 during the Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival.

Library hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed on Sundays. MacDonald Public Library is located at 36480 Main St. in New Baltimore. For more information, call the library at 586-725-0273 or visit macdonaldlibrary.org.

• June Kids Craft runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 8. Kids can make fun bug jars and silly animal magnets. Register in advance, as space is limited.

• Books, Rivers, and Fish…Oh my! is set to run from noon to 1 p.m. June 10. Join the library for a quick story, followed by a hike to the river and some fishing fun. Bring a pole or borrow one of the library's kid-sized fishing poles and partake in free fishing weekend. Register in advance.

• Adult Craft is set to run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 12. Participants will create a double-sided wooden door hanger sign Cricut craft. Register in advance, as space is limited.

• Streamleaders is set to run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 13. The library is hosting the Clinton River Watershed Council for a learning opportunity, Streamleaders, a place-based, outdoor education program that provides school-aged students with hands-on experience in water quality monitoring, data interpretation and citizen action. The group will meet behind the library and hike roughly a quarter-mile to the river at Wolcott Mill. The class is appropriate for mature elementary-age through high schoolers. The curriculum aims to raise young people's awareness of the importance of water quality and cultivate a connection to the Great Lakes Basin. Register in advance, as space is limited to 30 participating students. For more information, visit crwc.org/programs/volunteer/stream-leaders.

• A book club discussion of "All Good People Here" by Ashley Flowers will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 15.

• Dinosaur Day with PaleoJoe is set for 6 p.m. June 22. PaleoJoe will briefly describe different stages of the earth's development, how the earth was formed, the way fossils are formed while following National Curriculum Standards and Benchmarks. A brief description of types of fossils leads to the Ice Age of North America and is followed by dinosaurs. The event is sponsored by the library and is free of charge to patrons of all ages.

Library hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Ray Township Public Library is located 64255 Wolcott Road in Ray Township. For more information, call the library at 586-749-7130 or visit raylibrary.org.

• Monday Night Book Club meets at 6 p.m. June 12. Join for an evening of robust conversation and debate while exploring the themes of past and present literature. All genres will be examined throughout the year.

• Genealogy Circle meets at 6 p.m. June 13 and 27. Support fellow genealogy searchers in their quest to trace their family history. Share knowledge, success and pitfalls while doing research. Bring a laptop and log in to the library's Wi-Fi or work on the library's computers with free access to its in-house database Ancestry Library Edition.

• Cookbook Club meets at 6 p.m. June 14. Bring a chosen recipe and sample to taste test. June's theme is "picnic favorite." Registration is requested.

• Senior Project Fresh is set for 1 p.m. June 20. The Michigan Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, known as the Senior Project Fresh, provides older adults who qualify based on income with unprocessed, Michigan-grown produce from authorized farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Michigan. A representative from the Council on Aging will go over the Senior Project Fresh program. To pre-register for the Senior Project Fresh program, call 810-987-8813 or register to attend the library program and bring a driver's license or state ID.

• Grown-up Coloring Club meets at 6 p.m. June 20. Adults can drop in any time between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

• Ladies Night Out Book Club meets at 6 p.m. June 28. This month's book is "Watch Me Disappear" by Janelle Brown.

• Storytime takes place at 11 a.m. on Thursdays in June. Join for preschool-aged children's fun, including a story, craft and energetic activity.

• Conversation and Crafts takes place at noon on Saturdays in June. Patrons ages 18 and older can visit the library to spread out and pursue their own projects.

• Senior Scrabble takes place at 1 p.m. on Mondays in June. The game is limited to 12 players. All levels of skill are welcome. Registration is recommended, but participants are also welcome to drop in.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call the library at 810-794-4471 or visit stclaircountylibrary.org.

• Ira Book Club meets at 2 p.m. June 13. Contact the branch for the current month's selection.

• Teens can celebrate the library's summer reading theme of friendship and unity by using Tila beads to create fun, simple and stylish friendship bracelets at 6 p.m. June 15. Registration is required.

• All Together Now: Kindness Rocks is set to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17. Spread kindness by decorating rocks and placing them in the library's Kindess ROCKS Garden for everyone to view.

• Catapult Challenge for teens is set for 6 p.m. June 20. Participants will learn the basic history of catapults and catapult making while they make their own out of the different materials provided. After the builds are complete, there will be multiple challenges to test the overall structure and functionality of the catapults.

• Patrons can decorate a birdhouse using paint and a variety of trinkets at 11 a.m. June 21.

• Bee-ginning Bees is set for 3 p.m. June 27. The family program invites adults and children to learn the beginning stages of beekeeping. Jim Ford from the Pine River Beekeeping Club will share his knowledge of beekeeping and its importance. The observation hive is sealed and vented.

• Storytime takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays in June. Join for a story time filled with a happy blend of stories, rhyme and songs.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The Ira Township Library is located at 7013 Meldrum Road in Ira Township. For more information, call the library at 586-725-9081 or visit stclaircountylibrary.org.

• Adult Craft Corner is set for 6 p.m. June 8. Adults can make a grapevine wreath for their home using burlap and flowers.

• Snacks and a Show is set to run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 10. The movie will be "My Little Pony: The Movie," rated PG with a runtime of 99 minutes.

• Catapult Challenge for teens is set to run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 13. Participants will learn the basic history of catapults and catapult making, while they make their own out of the different materials provided. After the builds are complete there will be multiple challenges to test the overall structure and functionality of the catapults.

• Crafty Kids is set for 6 p.m. June 15. Kids can create a bug thumbprint craft to keep or give away to someone special.

• Ultimate Teen Trivia Showdown runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 21. Compete in teams of up to four people in a four-part trivia competition.

• Science Heroes: Saving Earth Together is set for 2 p.m. June 22. Science and stories collide in a new interactive STEM program for children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Two unlikely heroes must learn to work together to stop a super-polluting mastermind. Throughout the story, participants will help the performer conduct science experiments about air pressure, the laws of motion, chemical reactions and more.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call the library at 810-765-5233 or visit stclaircountylibrary.org.

• STEM Saturday: Hatching Fizzy Dinosaur Eggs is set for 11 a.m. June 10. Children ages 5 to 12 will learn about chemical reactions with acids and bases while making colorful baking soda "dinosaur eggs" and "hatching" them with vinegar.

• Bookmark Bling is set for 6 p.m. June 14. Teens can add a little sparkle to their books or bag with a quick DIY paperclip bookmark that doubles as a cute charm to hang anywhere.

• Plans to finish painting the Marysville Library tiles will kick off during an event set to run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16. Many years ago, children painted the ceiling tiles in the branch, but there are still some tiles that haven't been decorated. Patrons can enter their name in to a daily drawing until Aug. 12 for a chance to have their art added to our ceiling. Those whose names are drawn will be provided with a tile to take home and decorate.

• Animal Magic runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 20. Kids of all ages can get an up-close look at exotic and unusual animals with the Animal Magic show, the longest-running exotic animal program in the U.S.

• Adults can create an upcycled plastic bag basket décor craft at 6 p.m. June 21.

• Cloud Sculpting is set for 4 p.m. June 22. Children will learn the most common cloud types through hands-on sculpting with playdough. Participants will also make their cloud viewer, which will help them locate and identify the different clouds in the sky.

• Still Running: An Evening of Music is set for 6:30 p.m. June 27. The Port Huron-based acoustic duo of Mike Mercatante and Jenna Reed will return to the library to help kick off the Summer Reading Program in their unique style that blends rock, country and folk. Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library.

• Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. Join for a storytime filled with a blend of stories, rhymes and songs.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call the library at 810-364-9493 or visit stclaircountylibrary.org.

• Adults are welcome to join the library in celebrating Flip-Flop Day by creating a summer wall hanging from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 8. Limited supplies are available; those interested in taking part are advised to register early.

• Teens will paint their own flowerpots and plant a small flower to take home at 2 p.m. June 12. Information will be presented about local plants and pollinators.

• Bee Prepared For Bees!, a program geared for children ages 6 to 11 with adult supervision, is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 13. Mrs. Karyl will explain bees and how not to be afraid. After the presentation, participants will plant their own bee-friendly flower to take home.

• Canasta will be played at 10 a.m. June 14 and 28. Canasta, a card game resembling Rummy, is usually played by two pairs of partners. The goal is to collect sets, or melds, of cards. Beginners are welcome.

• Third Thursday Book Club meets from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 15. Contact the branch for the current book.

• Everyone is invited to decorate a portion of the library sidewalk to celebrate the beginning of summer reading at 1 p.m. June 16. Refreshments will be provided. Participants are asked to sign up as a family or group.

• Mahjong will be played at 10 a.m. June 21. Beginners to advanced players are welcome.

• A program set for 6:30 p.m. June 29 invites adults to learn about the history of iced tea, sample flavors and take home recipes.

• Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. Join for a storytime filled with a blend of stories, rhymes and songs.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call the library at 810-392-2980 or visit stclaircountylibrary.org.

• D & D 101 is set for 12:15 p.m. June 10 and 24. The six-course program teaches how to play Dungeons and Dragons or any other tabletop RPG game. Every other week the group will learn about a different aspect of tabletop gaming for game masters and players. June 10: Playing an amazing character. June 24: Advanced tips for the table.

• Adult Crafting Corner – Painting With Chocolate is set for 6 p.m. June 12. Use black and white chocolate melts to trace a picture to take home.

• Geek Debate Club – You Ship It? is set for 6 p.m. June 14. This year's Summer Reading Theme is All Together Now. This summer, come together with fellow geeks to debate off-the-wall nerd topics for the months of June, July and August. First up, characters from nerd fandom will be randomly picked and paired together. Participants will be tasked with defending their pick as the perfect couple. Teens and adults are welcome. Registration is requested.

• Genealogy Circle meets at 6 p.m. June 15. Meet with fellow researchers and learn the ins and outs of researching family history. No experience is necessary.

• Former Times Herald reporter and editor Tom Walker will give a multi-media format presentation with photos and music on Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" at 6 p.m. June 15.

• The Black History 101 Mobile Museum will make a stop at the Don Dodge Auditorium, located at 200 Grand River Ave., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16. The museum's founder, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, will give a presentation at 1 p.m. The Black History 101 Mobile Museum is a national award-winning traveling exhibit that will showcase over 150 original artifacts reflecting the evolution of hip hop culture and its impact on American society, highlighting the contributions of Black artists and innovators in the genre.

• Friends of the St. Clair County Library – Port Huron/Main meets at 1 p.m. June 16.

• Timber Creek Petting Farm – Summer Reading Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. June 17. The event will take place on the west lawn of the branch.

• Famed Detroit-area poet M. L. Liebler will help kick off this year's summer reading theme of "All Together Now" with a free concert at 11 a.m. June 17 at the Don Dodge Auditorium. Lieber, a recipient of the Michigan Humanities Champion of the Year, will lead the multi-media show with the Beatles’ most popular songs being played along with discussing the group's influence.

• Rhythm and Rhyme takes place at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays in June. Introduce little ones to the sounds and rhythms of language through short poems, stories and music. Then stay for play.

• Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays in June. Visit the Children's Library for a story time filled with a happy blend of stories, rhymes and songs, followed by activity time with structured play to hone both fine and gross motor skills essential for learning.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call the library at 810-987-7323 or visit stclaircountylibrary.org.

• Friends of the St. Clair Library meets at 1 p.m. June 15. Join in projects to support the library.

• Marilyn Zweng Book Club meets at noon June 20 at the Voyager Restaurant, located at 525 S. Riverside Ave. in St. Clair to discuss "The Reading List" by Sara Nish-Adams.

• Cookbook Club meets at 6 p.m. June 20.

• Cooperative Play and Storytime is set for 10 a.m. June 22 and 29. Have fun while working together, listening, sharing and cooperating with play or crafts that teach taking turns or sharing supplies.

• Rhythm and Rhyme takes place at 10 a.m. on Mondays in June. Introduce little ones to the sounds and rhythms of language through short poems, stories and music. Then stay for play.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call the library at 810-329-3951 or visit stclaircountylibrary.org.

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