Summer Reading
Summer Reading is almost here – and it’s jam-packed with fun activities and giveaways throughout June and July!
Summer Reading Kickoff
Summer Reading kicks off Saturday, June 5 with registration opening at 9 am for our Cold Spring, Carrico/Fort Thomas and Newport Branches while Alexandria opens at 11 am.
Register at the library and you may go home with cool giveaways, while supplies last. Children will receive a backpack; teens will get a reusable water bottle complete with a built-in straw; and adults will score a flashlight pen.
Grab-and-go treat bags filled with snacks will also be available at noon at all branches.
Come out or tune in to the library’s YouTube channel for a variety of kick-off activities, including:
- Eating Gross Food Face-Off @ Cold Spring, 11 am. Register to attend in-person.
- Low Mess Finger Painting @ Newport, 1 pm. Register to attend in-person.
- Arrowhead Reptile Rescue @ Carrico/Fort Thomas, 3 pm. Register to attend in-person.
Facebook Event
Summer Reading
SUMMER READING STARTS SATURDAY, JUNE 5!
Crawl, slither, soar or dive into the library’s Summer Reading program. With the theme Wild About Books, this year is all about animals and habitats they call home.
There’s something for everyone in the family – from dreaming up a fantasy zoo to drive-in movies featuring everyone’s favorite hedgehog Sonic to creating animal shadow puppets and learning how to keep our oceans clean.
Track your reading with the Beanstack app or a paper log for the chance to win awesome prizes big and small. Register online or at your favorite branch, where you can pick up a log.
Register on Beanstack
Do you prefer online tracking over paper logs? Beanstack is a website and app that allows you to track your reading and earn Summer Reading prizes. You can register as an individual, family or classroom. Visit our Beanstack page to create your account and learn more.
Pre-registration is open!
Register on Beanstack
Read & Win
Children (Newborn – Age 11)
How to Participate:
Receive a small prize and one entry for the grand prize for every 4 hours read across formats; books, audiobooks, comics, being read to and reading by yourself all count toward the goal.
The grand prize is a six-month subscription to KiwiCo (STEAM & science kits for kids). One grand prize will be given away per branch and one through Beanstack.
You can track and submit hours online through Beanstack or via paper reading logs at our branches.
Teens & Tweens (Ages 11 – 19)
How to Participate:
Read five hours to enter weekly drawings to score prizes. Read 30 hours to win a book and one entry for the grand prize – a Nintendo Switch Lite.
You can track and submit hours online through Beanstack or via paper reading logs at our branches.
There will be four winners each week for the weekly prize packs. There will be two winners for the midsummer prize and grand prize.
- Weekly Prize Themes
- June 6 – 12: Art
- June 13 -19: Anime
- June 20 – 26: Board and Card Games
- June 27 – July 3:Nerf Toys
- July 4 – 10: Funko Pop!
- July 11 – 17: #Trending and Music
- July 18 – 24: Self Care
- July 25 – 31: D&D and RPG Games
- Midsummer Prize
- Raycon Wireless Earbuds
- Grand Prize
- Nintendo Switch Lite
Adults
At the Library:
Receive an entry for weekly gift card drawings at each branch every time you check out. It’s that easy!
Online:
Four reading prompts per week will be posted on the Beanstack app. Finish one to earn an entry for the grand prize – a $100 Kroger gift card.
Programs
Start planning your summer at the library by browsing our upcoming programs below!
Creator Competition for Families
Monday, February 24, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Make Your Own Popping Boba
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Monday, February 24, 2025, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Free Tax Preparation from AARP Tax-Aide
Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Newport Branch
Talking Tech Troubles: Email Basics
Registration Required
Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
The Rise and Fall of Howard Johnson's
Registration Required
Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Pokémon Party
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Creator Competition for Teens
Registration Required
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
'Dungeons & Dragons' Inspired Crafts
Registration Required
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Creator Competition for Adults
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Take & Make: Oscars Party!
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Friday, February 28, 2025, All Day
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Puppy Tales
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Friday, February 28, 2025, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Alexandria Branch
Legends at the Library: Mini Mayhem
Registration Required
Friday, February 28, 2025, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Cancelled - After-Hours Adult Game Night
Friday, February 28, 2025, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Alexandria Branch
Teen Sun Printing
Registration Required
Monday, March 3, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
The Art of Beekeeping
Registration Required
Monday, March 3, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Online Tools for Contacting Lawmakers
Registration Required
Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
UV Resin Jewelry
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Alexandria Branch
Newport Book Club: 'The Cuban Heiress' by Chanel Cleeton
Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Mardi Gras Party
Registration Required
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Magical Kitties Save the Day!
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
DIY Capelets
Registration Required
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Craft This Book: 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie'
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Newport Branch
Cold Spring Stargazers Club: Haile Planetarium Visit
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Must Read Romance: Western Romance—Lawmen & Outlaws
Registration Required
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Dungeons & Dragons
Registration Required
Friday, March 7, 2025, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Baby Hoopsters
Registration Required
Saturday, March 8, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Puppy Tales
Registration Required
Saturday, March 8, 2025, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Homeschool Hangout: Geology Rocks
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Rough Draft Collab Writer's Club
Registration Required
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Coffee & Conversation: 'Emma' by Jane Austen
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Virtual Author Talk with Dan Heath: the Power of Reset and How to Change What's Not Working
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 2:00 pm
Digital
Manga to Anime Club: 'Delicious in Dungeon' by Ryoko Kui
Registration Required
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Cup of Crime: 'Finlay Donovan Is Killing It' by Elle Cosimano
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, March 13, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
St. Patrick's Day Party
Registration Required
Thursday, March 13, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Rice Crispy Cacti
Registration Required
Thursday, March 13, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Dungeons & Dragons for Teens
Registration Required
Friday, March 14, 2025, 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Family Roblox Club
Registration Required
Saturday, March 15, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Books and Brunch Book Club: 'All the Colors of the Dark' by Chris Whitaker
Saturday, March 15, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Cozy Crafting: DIY Leprechaun Gnomes
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Monday, March 17, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
STEAM Month: Kaleidoscope Science
Registration Required
Monday, March 17, 2025, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Tuesday Book Club: 'This is Your Mind on Plants' by Michael Pollan
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Cold Spring Branch
Talking Tech Troubles: Smart Homes
Registration Required
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Cam's Kids Book Club: 'The Rock in My Throat' by Kao Kalia Yang
Registration Required
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
City Barbeque Food for Thought Series: A Swedish Nightingale and the Feejee Mermaid—The Life and Legacy of P.T. Barnum
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Challenging Reads Book Club: 'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Oobleck
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Homeschool Book to Movie Club: 'City of Ember' by Jeanne DuPrau
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Earth Art Projects
Registration Required
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Roll for Initiative: DIY Dice (Part One)
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Flower Magnets (Repeat Program)
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Virtual Author Talk with Clara Bingham: How Women's Liberation Transformed America
Friday, March 21, 2025, 2:00 pm
Digital
Do You Believe in Bigfoot?
Registration Required
Friday, March 21, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Newport Branch
Monday Night Movie: The Tiger's Apprentice
Monday, March 24, 2025, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Perler Bead Pokémon
Registration Required
Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Bristlebots
Registration Required
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - Friday, March 28, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
3D Pen Creations
Registration Required
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Virtual Author Talk with Jennifer Weiner: Dreams We Chase
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 7:00 pm
Digital
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Roll for Initiative: DIY Dice (Part Two)
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Homeschool Hive: Engineer It!
Friday, March 28, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Cozy Crafting: DIY Birdhouses
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Newport Book Club: 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman
Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Virtual Author Talk: Wordsmith and Wonder with Jodi Picoult
Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 7:00 pm
Digital
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, April 3, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Minecraft Movie Release Party
Registration Required
Thursday, April 3, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Stargazers Club: Cincinnati Observatory Star Party
Registration Required
Thursday, April 3, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:45 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Must Read Romance: Contemporary Romance—Billionaires
Registration Required
Thursday, April 3, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Dungeons & Dragons
Registration Required
Friday, April 4, 2025, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Homeschool Hangout: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Registration Required
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Virtual Author Talk: 'The Stories, Science, and History of Trees' with Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 2:00 pm
Digital
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Coffee & Conversation: 'Sidle Creek' by Jolene McIlwain
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Manga to Anime Club: 'Fairy Tail' by Hiro Mashima
Registration Required
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Teen Painted Planters
Registration Required
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Cup of Crime: 'Happiness Falls' by Angie Kim
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, April 10, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Needle Felt Dryer Balls (Repeat Program)
Thursday, April 10, 2025, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Signature Series Sneak Peek: Mary Kay Andrews
Attendance FULL/Waitlist Available
Registration Required
Registration Required
Friday, April 11, 2025, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Tween Book Club: Secret Places
Registration Required
Friday, April 11, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Newport Branch
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch is Curbside Only Starting at 5 pm Due to Signature Series Event
Friday, April 11, 2025, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Signature Series: Mary Kay Andrews
Registration Required
Friday, April 11, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Play, Explore, Build at Chief Sayers Park
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
All Locations
Puppy Tales
Registration Required
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Tuesday Book Club: 'Weyward' by Emilia Hart
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Cold Spring Branch
Talking Tech Troubles: Online Genealogy Resources
Registration Required
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Cam's Kids Book Club: 'Disgusting Critters: A Creepy Crawly Collection' by Elise Gravel
Registration Required
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Rough Draft Collab Writer's Club
Registration Required
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
The History of the Kentucky Derby in 10 Objects
Registration Required
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Challenging Reads Book Club: 'Allegedly' by Tiffany D. Jackson
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Newport Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Paint and Plant
Registration Required
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Ballet and Books!
Registration Required
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Baby Wigglers
Registration Required
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Homeschool Book to Movie Club: 'The Wind in the Willows' by Kenneth Grahame
Registration Required
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Construction Junction
Registration Required
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Cozy Coasters
Registration Required
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Books and Brunch Book Club: 'Black Cake' by Charmaine Wilkerson
Saturday, April 19, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Alexandria Branch
Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt for Adults
Registration Required
Saturday, April 19, 2025, 9:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Newport Branch
Monday Night Movie: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Monday, April 21, 2025, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Trees and What They Do for Us with Boone County Arboretum
Registration Required
Monday, April 21, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Cincinnati Museum Center presents: One World, Many Cultures
Registration Required
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Newport Branch
City Barbeque Food for Thought Series: The Devil's Queen—the Power & Personality of Catherine de'Medici
Registration Required
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Cold Spring Branch
Cozy Time for Babies
Registration Required
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch