Roar, Soar, Read: Summer Reading 2023

Hold on to your books! Dinosaurs are roaring, soaring and reading all summer long at the library.
Summer Reading is back starting Saturday, June 3 at the Campbell County Public Library! With the tagline Roar, Soar, Read, this year’s theme is all about dinosaurs.
Every branch will be packed with fun activities and giveaways this June and July. To make the most of your summer reading experience, check out the guide below. You can also pick up an official Summer Reading brochure at any branch.
Read to Win
Patrons of all ages can track their reading for the chance to win prizes throughout the summer. Books, audiobooks, comics and graphic novels all count toward reading goals. Register at your favorite branch or online at www.cc-pl.org/beanstack. All ages can track their reading via Beanstack or paper logs.
Find your age group below for more information.
Adults
For every five hours read, receive an entry into a prize basket drawing, which will be drawn at the end of June and July. Prizes vary by branch. Books, audiobooks and digital materials all count toward the goal, including items read to others.
Prize Basket Themes
Cold Spring
June: Family Fun and Spa Getaway
July: Date Night and Backyard Barbecue
Carrico/Fort Thomas
June: Local Favorites and Arts & Crafts
July: Game Night and Coffee Lovers
Newport
June: Dog Lovers and 1980s/’90s Throwback
July: Adulting and Ren-Faire Starter Pack
Alexandria
June: Travel and Movie Night
July: Staycation and Sports Fan
Adult Checkout Challenge
Receive an entry for the midsummer and grand prize drawings—a $50 Target gift card and a $100 Kroger gift card, respectively—every time you check out items at any branch.
Each branch will give out its own prize baskets and sets of midsummer and grand prizes. Interested in vying for another branch’s prize basket? No problem! You can put your entries toward any basket no matter your home branch.
Alternative Summer Reading Challenge
For information about our Alternative Summer Reading Challenge, which is designed for individuals with disabilities/neurodiverse individuals who prefer small weekly prizes, please click here or call our ADA line at 859-781-6166 ex. 8.
Teens
Read five hours for an entry to win a prize pack, which will be drawn at the end of June and July. Read 30 hours to win a book and one entry for the midsummer and grand prizes.
Prize Packs
June: Book Lovers, Nerf, Anime and Dinosaurs
July: Gaming, #Trending, Movie Night and Art
Midsummer Prize: Dinosaur Squishmallows
Grand Prize: $150 Owl Crate gift card
Prize packs, as well as midsummer and grand prizes, will be awarded per branch.
Children
Receive a small prize and one entry for the grand prize for every 4 hours (Grades K-5) or 40 books (Cam’s Cubs) read. Books, audiobooks and comics read to you and read by yourself all count toward the goal.
Small Prizes
- Dino Blocks
- DIY Wood 3-D Dinosaurs
- Dinosaur Baseball Caps
- Barrel-O’-Mini Squeeze Dinosaurs
- Stuffed Pterodactyl Slap Bracelets
- Dinosaur Movable Erasers
- Stuffed Dinosaurs
Grand prize: Six-Month Kiwi-Co Subscription
The grand prize will be awarded per branch and age group (grades K-5 and cam’s cubs).
Summer Mornings at Local Parks
Have fun-filled mornings all summer long with the return of Tower Tuesdays and Jolly Thursdays! This duo of free weekly programs at local parks (Fort Thomas’s Tower Park and Alexandria’s A.J. Jolly Park) run through July. All events take place at 10 am. Check out the link below for a full schedule.
View Schedule
The Book Bus on Tour
The Book Bus is hitting the road this summer to bring fun and free events to parks across Campbell County! All events take place at 10 am on Wednesdays. Grab your calendar and check out the lineup below for the Book Bus’ first-ever summer tour.
Patrons of all ages can climb aboard the bus and pick out a free book to keep.
View Schedule
Summer Reading Brochure
Pick up a physical Summer Reading brochure at any branch or view the digital version. The brochure serves as a handy guide to making the most of your summer.
View Brochure
Community Partners
The library would like to thank 2023’s Summer Reading donors and sponsors: The Friends of the Campbell County Public Library, Dewey’s Pizza, CVS, Target, King’s Island, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Nature Center, Frisch’s, New Riff Distilling, Chipotle, Florence Y’Alls, FC Cincinnati, Southern Lanes, Play it Today Game, Trailhead Coffee, Reeser Bicycle, Falcon Theater and Black-n-Bluegrass.
Fun Programs
We have something for all ages and interests! Start planning your summer at the library by browsing our upcoming programs below.
Improve Reading Skills with a NKU Tutor on Mondays and Wednesdays in April
Cozy Crafting: DIY Birdhouses
Registration Required
Newport Book Club: 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman
Cozy Time for Babies
Virtual Author Talk: Wordsmith and Wonder with Jodi Picoult
Baby Wigglers
Minecraft Movie Release Party
Registration Required
Stargazers Club: Cincinnati Observatory Star Party
Registration Required
Must Read Romance: Contemporary Romance—Billionaires
Dungeons & Dragons
Pipe Cleaner Tree
Registration Required
Homeschool Hangout: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Virtual Author Talk: 'The Stories, Science, and History of Trees' with Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming
Zen Doodles
Registration Required
Cozy Time for Babies
Coffee & Conversation: 'Sidle Creek' by Jolene McIlwain
Manga to Anime Club: 'Fairy Tail' by Hiro Mashima
Teen Painted Planters
Cup of Crime: 'Happiness Falls' by Angie Kim
Baby Wigglers
Needle Felt Dryer Balls (Repeat Program)
Signature Series Sneak Peek: Mary Kay Andrews
Registration Required
Tween Book Club: Secret Places
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch is Curbside Only Starting at 5 pm Due to Signature Series Event
Signature Series: Mary Kay Andrews
Play, Explore, Build at Chief Sayers Park
Puppy Tales
Improve Reading Skills with a NKU Tutor on Mondays and Wednesdays in April
Tuesday Book Club: 'Weyward' by Emilia Hart
Talking Tech Troubles: Online Genealogy Resources
Cam's Kids Book Club: 'Disgusting Critters: A Creepy Crawly Collection' by Elise Gravel
Rough Draft Collab Writer's Club
The History of the Kentucky Derby in 10 Objects
Challenging Reads Book Club: 'Allegedly' by Tiffany D. Jackson
Cozy Time for Babies
Paint and Plant
Registration Required
Ballet and Books!
Baby Wigglers
Homeschool Book to Movie Club: 'The Wind in the Willows' by Kenneth Grahame
Construction Junction
Cozy Coasters
Books and Brunch Book Club: 'Black Cake' by Charmaine Wilkerson
Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt for Adults
Monday Night Movie: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Trees and What They Do for Us with Boone County Arboretum
Cincinnati Museum Center presents: One World, Many Cultures
City Barbeque Food for Thought Series: The Devil's Queen—the Power & Personality of Catherine de'Medici
Registration Required
Cozy Time for Babies
Baby Wigglers
Yarn Wrapped Planters
Virtual Author Talk: The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure and Suspense with Gregg Hurwitz
Homeschool Hive: Be your own boss! Session One
Emojis, GIFs, and More!
Dungeons & Dragons for Teens
Day of the Book/El Día de los Libros
The Cultural Center of India presents Spice Tales: Easy Recipes from India
Bi-Okoto West African Movement and Music Workshop
Spring Canvas Painting
Registration Required
Build a Terrarium
Registration Required
Senior Planet: Virtual Classes & Tech Help- Available 24/7
Improve Reading Skills with a NKU Tutor on Mondays and Wednesdays in April
Must Read Romance: Romantasy
Homeschool Hive: Be your own boss! Session Two
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch is Curbside Only Starting at 5 pm Due to Arts & Culture Event
Arts and Culture: Kentucky Symphony Orchestra—Floodwall Jazz Quartet
Improve Reading Skills with a NKU Tutor on Mondays and Wednesdays in May
Pressed Flower Lanterns
Registration Required
Newport Book Club: 'Cassandra in Reverse' by Holly Smale
Virtual Author Talk with Dr. David H. Rosmarin: How to Use Anxiety to Thrive
Gardening Tech at a Glance
Homeschool Hive: Be your own boss! Session Three
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch is Curbside Only Starting at 5 pm Due to Arts & Culture Event
Arts and Culture: Silver's Serenade—A CCJO Tribute to Horace Silver
Rough Draft Collab Writer's Club
Improve Reading Skills with a NKU Tutor on Mondays and Wednesdays in May
Coffee & Conversation: 'The Wager' by David Grann
Manga to Anime Club: 'Bleach' by Tite Kubo
Tween Game Night
Cup of Crime: 'The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp' by Leonie Swann
Virtual Author Talk with Liann Zhang: Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller
Homeschool Book to Movie Club: 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' by Roald Dahl
Recipe Boxes and Recipe Swap (Repeat Program)
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch is Curbside Only from 1-7 pm Reopening for Arts & Culture Event
Arts and Culture: Summermusik Brass Quintet
Books and Brunch Book Club: 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' by Shelby Van Pelt
Tuesday Book Club: 'Everything I Never Told You' by Celeste Ng
Talking Tech Troubles: Reading Apps & Resources
Cam's Kids Book Club: 'The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem' by Colleen Paeff
City Barbeque Food for Thought: Antique Showcase with Dr. Brian Hackett
Challenging Reads Book Club: 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle
Virtual Author Talk with Rachelle Bergstein: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us
Homeschool Hive: Be your own boss! Session Four
Colorful Squishies
Gardening for Small Spaces
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