Active Summer @ the Library

It's the first official week of summer vacation! School is out and we're all ready to play, especially here at the library...

Tomorrow starts our Tuesday afternoon activities for kids entering grades 1-6. At 2 p.m., come on by to join Habitat for Humanity and poet Sheryl Noethe in creating poems about home. We'll have activity programs for kids every Tuesday June 15 through July 27. See our Family Reading Program page for details.

Later this week, we're offering the first of our series of family movies. They're at 2 p.m. every Thursday June 17-July 29.

Not to be left out, teens entering grades 7-12 can take part in Make Waves Wednesdays starting next week - June 23 we're hearing all about river kayaking with 10,000 Waves. And there are a lot more programs, including a Lock-in Overnight Party, planned for teens this summer.

And, of course, we have reading logs for all ages - track the time you spend reading this summer and earn prizes! Catch the Reading Wave!

Catch the Reading Bug!

It's that time of year again, that glorious time when you can earn ice cream and Carousel tokens, just for partaking in one of your favorite pasttimes--reading! Missoula Public Library's summer reading program started June 1. Readers of all ages can earn prizes from Dairy Queen, The Good Food Store, Del's Place, the Missoula Public Library, and A Carousel for Missoula just for keeping track of how much you read this summer. Reading folders can be picked up at the Children's Desk.

Our Summer Activity Programs begin June 17th. Every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm, students who have completed kindergarten and older can enjoy such activitites as making sock puppets, riding ponies, seeing Raptors of the Rockies, and more! Some activities require free tickets the day of the program.

Thursday Afternoon at the Movies begins June 19th. Every Thursday afternoon at 2pm we will be showing a family friendly movie (rated G or PG) open to everyone.

For more information about these programs, visit http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/kids/family.htm or call the library: (406)721-BOOK.

Dragon Tales

On Tuesday, we had our kickoff Summer Activity Program. With the help of Mary Wachtel, kids were allowed to make a sock puppet, then present their own puppet show. We had a great turnout and lots of fun. As you can see, the puppets were all very creative and unique, as were the puppet shows.

Thursday, we showed Bridge to Terabithia and around 100 people showed up!

Our next program is Raptors of the Rockies on Tuesday, June 26th at 2pm. Presented by Kate Davis, this program allows participants to see live eagles, owls and other rescued raptors up close and in person. Because of space limitations, this program requires an admission ticket, which can be picked up for free the day of the program at the Children's Desk.

The Thursday movie is Brother Bear 2, which is also starting at 2pm.

School's out for summer...

Now what to do with the kids?

Missoula Public Library is an excellent place to keep kids of all ages entertained, no matter the weather. Here's a rundown of regularly scheduled weekly events for kids at the library this summer:

Mondays

• Family Storytime 7pm

Tuesdays

• Tiny Tales 10:30am (storytime for ages 0-3)
  
• Summer Activity Program 2pm* (a variety of programs for those who have completed Kindergarten and older)

Thursdays

• Tiny Tales 10:30am (storytime for ages 0-3)
• Afternoon at the Movies 2pm (open to the whole family)
  

Fridays

• Tiny Tales 10:30am (storytime for ages 0-3)
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am (storytime for ages 3-6)
  

Saturdays

• Family Storytime 11am

There are also special programs occurring throughout the summer, so stay tuned!

For more information about any of these programs, please call the Children's Desk at 721-BOOK, or visit http://missoulapubliclibrary.org/kids/family.htm

*Some programs require tickets, available free the day of the program. Call the Children's Desk for more information.

Family Reading Program starts June 1st

It's almost that time of year again, when reading, ice cream, and birds of prey go hand-in-hand. What am I talking about, you ask? The Missoula Public Library's Family Reading Program, of course!

Starting June 1st, you can pick up a folder from the library and earn cool prizes from Dairy Queen, The Good Food Store, Missoula Public Library, and A Carousel for Missoula. This exciting reading program is for readers of all ages, so make sure you pick up your folder and get rewarded for reading this summer!

Also happening in the library this summer is our Summer Activity Program. These programs for school-aged children (completed kindergarten) and older happen every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm. Some of these programs require an admission ticket due to space restrictions. These tickets are FREE and can be picked up at the library the day of the program!

And just when you thought that was it, there's one more thing! Every Thursday afternoon at 2pm we'll show a kid-friendly movie. Call the library at 721-BOOK for movie titles.

As always, these events are free and we look forward to seeing you this summer!