<Online Registration> is available beginning May 23, or you may register in person at the Children's Services information desk beginning June 1. Program packets will be available on June 1. The program runs through July 27, and all participants must have a current Louisville Library card.

Note: if your child attends Monarch K-8 and will be entering grades 1-4 in the Fall, please sign up to participate in a groundbreaking pilot program done in conjunction with Boulder Valley School District. We will be using anonymous reading test scores to see if being part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program halts or reverses “Summer Slide,” the tendency of young readers to lose skills with lack of reading practice over the summer break.

If you have questions or want to register for one of the scheduled events listed below, stop by the Children's Services Desk, call 303-335-4821, or send an email to the <children's librarians>.

"Dig Into Reading" is the theme for this year's
Summer Reading Program (SRP) for children. This year we are offering two programs. A child may be registered in only one program at a time.

Program #1: This is the traditional program we have always offered, open to children from age 2 to those entering the sixth grade. Kids can dig into cool activities like learning about archeology with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science or learning about dinosaurs with the WOW! Children's Museum. They can meet Jeannie Mobley, author of Katerina's Wish or learn about Australia with the 'Down Under Animals & Art Club'. There's something new every Wednesday night from 5–6pm!

• TUESDAYS, June 4, 11, 18, & 25 :: 10–11am :: (ages 7-11; pre-register)
  Down Under Animals & Art Club
  Note: Pre-registration is required and is for the entire 4-week session.
  Our own Jeanne Reinhardt will teach you about Australia's unique animals while having fun with arts and crafts!
   
• WED, June 5 :: 5–5:45pm :: From Tombs to Treasures :: (ages 8-11; pre-register)
  Use the investigative thinking processes of an archeologist with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Uncover the customs, culture, and everyday life of ancient Egypt. Conduct a mock excavation to explore the methods used in archeological dig sites.
   
• WED, June 12 :: 5–6pm :: A Day in the Life of a Prairie Dog :: (ages 5-11)
  The short grass prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems. This interactive puppet show and game takes you through a day in the life of a prairie dog colony. Did you know that prairie dogs have a complex burrow system that includes many rooms and escape tunnels? Dig into reading with environmental educator, Maureen Lawry.
   
• FRI, June 14 :: 11am–12pm :: Preschoool Playground :: (ages 0-6)
  Kick off your Early Literacy Summer Program! Enjoy fun playful activities that are designed to get your little one ready to start kindergarten with the early literacy skills they need. Creative play, music and song, talking, writing, drawing, reading and abc’s are just some of the fun things we’ll do together.
   
• WED, June 19 :: 5–6pm :: Dino-Girl Magic Show :: (all ages)
  Come dig into magic with a kooky cave-woman magician and her prehistoric puppy dog. Ann’s show is tons of fun for the whole family!
   
• THUR, June 20 :: 6:30–7pm :: Pajama Story Time :: (all ages)
  Come cuddle up with your little one and enjoy our special evening pajama story time. Come dressed in your PJ’s, listen to bedtime stories with Miss Kristen, and have a
  mid-night snack, too! This program is part of our Early Literacy Summer Program so ask about how to sign-up.

Romping, Stomping Dinosaurs (pre-register) Learn about different types of dinosaurs and the characteristics that make each one special. See and touch fossils; compare them to each other and to modern animals. Make a dinosaur of your own to take home. Two Sessions FRI, June 21 :: 11:00am (ages 4-5, not yet in Kindergarten) WED, June 26 :: 5:00pm (ages 5-7, grades K-2)

• THUR, June 27 :: 6:30pm :: Little Critters :: (ages 3-6)
  Join us for a puppet show about the wildlife that is unique to Eldorado Canyon State Park. Finish up outside with a 'predator and prey' game and a story.
   
• FRI, June 28 3 :: 11am–12pm :: Toddler Drive-in Movie Matinée :: (ages 2-4)
  Bring your toddler or preschooler to the library for a matinee movie. We will make cars out of cardboard boxes, engage in some creative play and watch a short film from our new cars. Snacks will be served.
   
• WED, July 3 :: 5–6pm :: Family Movie Night (families & children of all ages)
  Come cool off at the Library and watch To the Arctic, the new IMAX documentary about polar bears. Popcorn will be served!
   
• WED, July 10 :: 5–6pm :: The Green Scene :: (all ages)
  All ages will delight in a hilarious, swashbuckling adventure "Trash to Treasure" with recycling pirates, Captain Underwear and Long John Slipper.
   
• FRI, July 12 :: 11am–12pm :: Junior Archeologists :: (ages 6-12; pre-register)
  Playing the role of archeologists, children 'excavate' prehistoric artifacts buried in sand to learn about ancient cliff dwellings. Touch some real pottery shards discovered at Mesa Verde and see real archeological tools. Children must be comfortable working in small groups.
   
• WED, July 17 :: 5–6pm :: Junior Miners :: (ages 6-12; pre-register)
  Experience the booms and busts of mining in Colorado, from the Spanish explorers to the present. Handle some real mining artifacts like carbide head lamps, mining tools, tintype photographs, payments in script, and try panning for “gold” and minerals yourself. Bridget Bacon from the Louisville Historical Museum will join us to speak briefly about Louisville’s mining past. Children must be comfortable working in small groups.
   
• FRI, July 19 :: 10:15–11:30am :: Eurythmics Movement & Music Class
  (ages 4-6; pre-register)
  Eurythmics trains the body in rhythm, dynamics, articulation, phrasing and form. Join Emma Shubin of Dana V. Music for a fun, interactive class that will develop your child’s musical skills.
   
• WED, July 24 :: 5–7pm :: (ages 8-14)
  Meet the Author, Jeannie Mobley (5-6pm)
  Katerina's Wish Book Sale and Signing (6-7pm)
  
  Katerina's Wish author Jeannie Mobley will visit us to talk about Colorado’s mining past and her acclaimed novel. Katerina has a dream. Her family came to America to buy their own farm. But a year later, Papa is still working in the dangerous coal mine. Each day, the farm seems farther away. With warmth and gentle humor, the author tells the story of a girl whose determination is as inspiring as her dreams.
   
• FRI, July 26 :: 12–2pm :: End of Summer Party (for all SRP participants)
  Let’s party! This year we would like to recognize all of our summer readers’ reading achievements by throwing them a party. Invitations will be given to all children who check-in in the library any time between Thursday, July 11 and Thursday, July 25.
  
  The party will be held outside in the Community Park Shelter at 955 Bella Vista Drive. Drop by anytime from 12:00–2:00, and stay as long as you like to play games and meet our mascot, Mr. Miner. Refreshments and games will be available.

Prizes have been generously donated by these local merchants:

Assorted Goods Louisville Farmer's Market Martino's Pizzeria Old Chicago Panera Bread Sweet Cow The LoCo Yo And: Denver Museum of Nature and Science Elitch Gardens Heritage Square Lakeside Amusement Park Louisville Library Foundation Louisville Recreation Center