Big summer plans at library

The 2023 summer reading program will begin on Thursday, June 1, and go through Friday, August 18, at the Cloquet Public Library.

This year’s theme is “Find Your Voice!” Our voices have power. We use our voices to share stories, express ourselves, and spark change. Our voices include not only the sounds we make, but the words we write, the art we create, the movements we perform, and the actions we take each day to impact our world.

Morgan Reardon, our new children’s librarian, has been working hard since last winter to plan, coordinate, implement and promote a number of fun and enriching programs. Children from infants to age 12 can register for the Kids Summer Reading program with Beanstack online software through the library website or with a paper log at the library. Upon registration, all children will receive a free Duluth Huskies Baseball game ticket for the July 16 game at Wade Stadium in Duluth. Children can log their reading minutes and enjoy some activity challenges to earn prizes and tickets. Prizes range from a coupon for free ice cream or a mini pizza kit, to a free book of your choice or a pass for local activities.

Here are some of the events that Morgan highly recommends. All library events are free and open to everyone.

-Duluth Huskies Knock Summer Reading Out of the Park! 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. June 12: Join us for this amazing event where players from the Duluth Huskies baseball team will be reading stories, signing autographs and answering questions. Each child who attends will leave with a free book.

-Brodini comedy magic show 10-11 a.m. June 15: Once again, the great magician Brodini will be visiting the library to entertain with magic and laughs.

-Let’s Send Letters! with the Cloquet Post Office 10:30-11:30 a.m. July 19: Have your kids ever wondered how the mail works? At this event, the Cloquet Post Office will walk you through the journey letters go on after they are sent. Kids will get the opportunity to write and send letters themselves.

-Pop-up storytime at Sweet Land Farm (for kids, infants through age 5, and caregivers/siblings) 10:30 a.m. July 25: Join Miss Morgan for storytime at the lovely Sweet Land Farm in Cloquet. After storytime, families will be able to explore the farm and pick blueberries.

-Ojibwe storytime with Allie Tibbetts 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9: Local Fond du Lac author Allie Tibbetts will be joining us at the library to read her new book, “Zaagi and Misaabekwe,” a picture book featuring the Ojibwe story of giants.

Teens and tweens

Youth services librarian Justin Dinger is planning a fun summer for tweens and teens. Programs include the following:

-Family game night 5-7 p.m. June 15

-Family movie night 5-7 p.m. June 22

-NASA space camp 1-4 p.m. July 17-21: The theme of the camp is “NASA Sound Off Engineering Design Challenge.” The camp is open to students in grades 5-9. Stay tuned for more details. RSVP at 218-879-1531.

Grownups

-Adults can pick up a summer reading challenge bingo sheet at the library or print it out through our website. Enjoy reading and the activities to complete the sheet. You will earn a ticket for each row you complete, and you can earn up to five tickets. The ticket can be entered for a drawing for a chance to win a gift card from local businesses: Premier Theatres, Cloquet Natural Foods, Bearaboo Coffee, Zenith Bookstore and more.

-Guided bird walk with Amy Simso Dean 5:30-7 pm June 8 at Veterans Park. We will meet at Veterans Park, then take a walk in and out of the park. Binoculars are available to use during the walk. All ages are welcome.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the library this summer!

Writer Keiko Satomi is the adult services librarian at the Cloquet Public Library. Email her at [email protected] or call the library at 218-879-1531.