Baldwin Library to Kick Off Summer Reading Programs

School lets out at the end of the week but that doesn't mean it’s time to close those books.

The ’s summer reading program kicks off Friday with a special afternoon full of crafts, games, snacks, prizes and more.

From 1-5 p.m., kids and their parents are invited to stop by the library for activities, a special Read-to-Me session and a mini-book sale hosted by the Friends of the Library. Adults and teens are also invited to sign up for reading programs featuring books that cater to readers of all ages, as well as special programs throughout the summer.

"The main thing we're trying to encourage is keeping them plugged into reading throughout the summer," Baldwin's assistant library director Matt Church said. "There have been a lot of studies that say if you read four to five books during the summer, you'll hit the ground running when school resumes."

Patrons also can keep track of events and sign up for special programs on the Summer Reading Program’s website.

Adult Summer Reading Program

Who needs a summer vacation? Baldwin librarians have created book lists that will take you around the world, including books on Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the polar regions and Western Europe.

• Family History and Genealogy Research: 7 p.m. Thursday
• Michigan and the Civil War: 7 p.m. June 28
• Library Databases for Novel Destinations: 7 p.m. July 13
• Summer Reading International Spelling Bee: 6 p.m. July 28
• Dodworth Saxhorn Band: 2-4 p.m. Aug. 7
• Summer Reading Finale, Global Destinations: 7 p.m. Aug. 17

Teen Summer Reading Program

The teen program highlights the importance of teens in the United States and around the globe.

• Minute to Win It: 7 p.m. June 23
• Teen/Tween Tile Craft Party: 2 p.m. June 30
• Pizza and Pages Summer Book Club Discussions: 7 p.m. July 7 and Aug. 4
• RAWk’in Juices, How to Eat Well the Raw Way: 7 p.m. July 14
• GameFest for Teens: 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 21
• High School Book Club: 2-3 p.m. July 23
• Summer Reading International Spellling Bee: 6 p.m. July 28
• Summer Reading Finale, Global Destinations: 7 p.m. Aug. 11

Youth Summer Reading Program

Baldwin’s summer programs for youths include regularly scheduled story times and book clubs for all ages.

• Wow for Wednesdays: 10:30 a.m. June 22, July 6 and 20, Aug 3
• Drummunity! Rhythmic Fun for Everyone with Lori Fithian: 2 p.m. June 23
• A Little Bit of Italy with Josephine Gambini: 2 p.m. June 28
• Inclusive Summer Family Movies: 2 p.m. June 29, Aug. 9
• Teen/Tween Tile Craft Party: 2 p.m. June 30
• Joel’s One-derful World Comedy Show: 2 p.m. July 7
• BollyFit Kids with Anuja Rajendra: 11 a.m. July 12
• Spell Around the World: 2 p.m. July 13
• Bonjour! Vive la Madeline!: 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. July 14
• Art Smart Workshops: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. July 19 and Aug. 2
• Photo Editing Tween Computer Class: 3:30 p.m. July 20
• Tic-Tac-Go! Global Games: 2 p.m. July 21
• Family Summer Book Club: 7 p.m. July 25
• One World, Many Songs with Beverly Meyer the Music Lady: 7 p.m. July 26
• Tween Cuisine Around the World: 2 p.m. July 27
• Kilwin’s Around-the-World Chocolate Reading Treat: 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 4
• Stuffed Animal Sleepover: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8
• Starlab Planetarium Show, “One Sky, Many Stories”: 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Aug. 11
• Summer Reading Finale with Baffling Bill the Magician: 10:30 p.m. Aug. 15

Participation in the summer reading programs is reserved for cardholders from Birmingham, Beverly Hills and Bingham Farms, as well as students from Birmingham Public Schools with a home library. Registration is required for all events.