Your Summer Adventure Begins Now!
Our Summer Reading Program (SRP) combines fun activities and entertaining events to support and increase reading skills–and learning– all summer long. (Shhh–kids just think it’s fun!)
GLADL offers traditional paper and digital options to participate in SRP, plus great resources for beginning readers to adults. We have digital collections and book recommendations for all ages. We have storytimes, themed entertainers and educators, creative crafts and games – inside and outside too. And of course, we’ll have “Adventure” themed instant prizes for each completed kids reading log!
Upcoming Events
For a complete list of our Summer Programming visit our Events Calendar!
Grand Ledge Community Food Drive
July 1 – 31 | All Ages
Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation. Items of particular need are listed on our Event Calendar. Please bring all donations to GLADL. Donations will be delivered to the GL SDA Food Bank, and will be distributed thru the Food Bank and GLEAP.
Switch Gaming: Mario Kart
Wednesday July 3 | 2pm – 4pm | Ages 8+
Join us for an evening of fun and friendly Switch gaming! We’ll play Mario Kart today! Who’s the best driver around? Feel free to bring your Switch to play between your turns on the big screen. All skill levels welcome!
S’more Stories Storytime
Monday July 8 | 6pm – 7pm | All Ages
We’ll read stories about camping and the outdoors, sing songs, and, of course, make s’mores. We’ll meet at the library and head outside — come join us!
Dinosaur Adventures with Paleo Joe!
Tuesday July 9 | 2pm – 3pm | All Ages
Willow Ridge Elementary School Gym, 12840 Nixon Road Grand Ledge
Have a Dinosaur Adventure! Paleo Joe takes you on a trip back in time to learn about the victims and perpetrators, life and death of the prehistoric. Learn the techniques used in the investigation of how these creatures lived and died. See the evidence and discover the stories that are told through Dinosaur CSI.
Minecraft Mania!
Tuesday July 9 | 6pm – 8pm | Ages 8 – 12
We’ll have our Minecraft server set up and the laptops ready to go. No experience needed — all levels of players/builders welcome. Create your own story in the world of Minecraft!
Wacousta Picnic Playdate Family StoryTime
Thursday July 11, 18, 25 | 11am – 12noon | All Ages
Wacousta UMC 9180 Herbison Rd, Eagle, MI 48822
Meet at the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church’s playground and enjoy fun and stories at an outdoor family storytime filled with themed activities: music, bubbles, water play—and time for play with your Storytime friends too! Stories, songs, and literacy enhancing activities. Open to children of all ages. Families may bring chairs, a picnic lunch too. Note: Cancelled if rain or storms.
Medieval Longsword Adventure Workshop for Teens
Thursday July 11 | 6pm – 7:30pm | Ages 12+
See our Event Calendar for location
Join the Swordsmanship Museum and Academy as they lead a class exploring the historical swordsmanship fundamentals and techniques of the iconic Medieval longsword! These techniques have been recorded directly from German mercenaries, soldiers, and swordsmen, and now to you! Space is limited, while swords last.
Mysteries of the Moon for Kids
Monday July 15 | 6pm – 7pm | Ages 3+
Ever wonder why the moon changes shape and what it really looks like up there? We will read a story and do some science experiments to answer those questions. Concludes with a quick moon craft.
Marble Machines: STEAM Science [Registration Req.]
Wednesday July 17 | 2 Sessions; Ages 4 – 7, 12pm – 1pm & Ages 8 – 12, 2pm – 3pm
Use interesting everyday materials in new and interesting ways. Build an obstacle track that moves your marble from one place to another. Can you join your marble machine with someone else’s? Supplies in each session limited to 25 children.
Great Michigan Read: Cultural Foods of Firekeeper’s Daughter
Wednesday July 17 | 6pm – 7:30pm | Ages 16+
Traditional and non-traditional foods are part of the Anishinaabe culture of the book Firekeeper’s Daughter. We’ll explore the history of these foods– and prepare some as well! Firekeeper’s Daughter is the 2024 Great Michigan Read and our featured Summer Book! Pick up a copy at the Library, read and keep*, and take part in our book chat on August 6! *While supplies last.
Alligator Adventures
Monday July 22 | 2pm – 3pm | All Ages
Willow Ridge Elementary School Gym, 12840 Nixon Road Grand Ledge
See and meet alligators in-person! All alligators in this visit are accompanied by its handler during this live animal program by Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary! Kids and families learn all about the reptiles’ natural history, behavior and lifestyle– even the opportunity to meet them up close and hands-on!
…And more on our Events Calendar!
@grandledgelibrary Adventure Begins at GLADL this Summer! Start our Summer Reading Program today, ALL ages welcome! #library #librarytiktok #librarytok #gladl #grandledge #librarycrafts #summerreading #summerreadingprogram #library #adventurebeginsatyourlibrary ♬ Summer Vibes - GRLN
Get ready for your adventure!
What can I read?
Any reading counts for any GLADL SRP Reading Log! Kids still in class? They can count their school reading time! All ages can read graphic novels, manga, favorite series, and books you have at home — whatever you choose! Read or listen to a FREE digital, or audio book from Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla, ComicsPlus, and BookFlix. Need help? have questions? Content FAQ.
What are my digital options?
You can use the app Read Squared! Players create a fun character, and “level up” to earn options for their character as they complete their reading and earn prizes!
Easily log your activity using the READsquared app. The app is free for both Android and iOS mobile devices.
Get Your Printable Reading Logs Here!
(Logs are also available inside the library)
0 - K
1st - 6th
7th - 12th
Adults
Earn Fun Prizes!
Instant Prizes – Turn in each completed Reading Log to instantly win prizes like jump ropes, tie-dye spintops, punch balls, mini dominos, themed rubber duckies, plus ice cream, pizza and other treats!
Complete all Five Logs! Choose your own book to keep from our take home shelf.
Grand Prizes – Each Reading Log completed is also an entry for a chance to win the Grand Prize for each grade group. Grand Prize packages for all ages stuffed with goodies– gift cards, tote bags, games, and much, much more!!
Visit GLADL to pick up your prizes (courtesy of our local businesses and the Friends of the Library). Bring in your paper logs to turn in—GLADL will confirm your Read Squared logs digitally.
Outdoor Fun!
Sidewalk Action Game
6/1 – 8/30
Actions posted outside, and on a Game Card in the lobby. Claim a prize at the Desk each day you play!
Picnic Playdate: A Family Storytime
Tuesdays June 4 – August 27 | 11am – 12 noon | All Ages
Meet at GLADL Tuesdays at 11 am and follow the little red wagon to the Trinity Episcopal Church playground for a summery family storytime filled with stories, songs, activities and a snack!
Wacousta Picnic Playdate Family StoryTime
Thursday July 11, 18, 25 | 11am – 12noon | All Ages
Wacousta UMC 9180 Herbison Rd, Eagle, MI 48822
Meet at the playground for stories, songs, activities, and a snack. Bug spray recommended. Cancelled if rain or storms.
Storybook Stroll – Eaton County Parks & Downtown GL
Early June – Late August
Enjoy a fun summer stroll with the family! Read “Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris” in select downtown GL windows and “Run Wild by David Covell” at Lincoln Brick Park.
Thanks to our sponsors for great Instant Win & Grand Prizes!
Meijer
A & W
Edru Skate-A-Rama
Biggby Coffee
In Good Hands Massage Therapy
Culver’s
Peppino’s Pizza
Impression 5
Sun Theatre
Comets Nutrition
Clayworks
Dart Bank
GL Rotary
Lickity Split
Pizza Hut
Quality Dairy
Texas Roadhouse
McDonald’s
Flour Child Bakery
Brad’s Hair Studio
Ledge Craft Lane
Toad’s LLC
Deadtime Stories
Tap House Boutique
Jazzercise
Friends of the Library
Walmart
Taco Bell
Zap Zone Laser Tag
Potter Park Zoo
Pam’s Pantry
The Salvage Yard Antiques
Macdowell’s Flower and Gift Shop
David J. Harkema, DMD
Hi Salon
Corner Cone
Volunteering at GLADL this Summer
The Grand Ledge Area District Library is in need of volunteers for the summer. We welcome anyone 13 or over who would like to help with programs, our carnival, or just sit at the library and prepare crafts. You can find our volunteer form on our website and once it is filled out and returned to the library, we will send you our Sign Up Genius. We have day and evening times available and you pick what you would like to help with.
To begin volunteering, please print off our Volunteer Information Form and return it to the library or email it to admin@gladl.org
For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact us at outreach@gladl.org.
Why Is Summer Reading Important?
Sure, the GLADL Summer Reading Program is lots of fun—but it’s more than fun. Reading over the summer helps your imagination take flight, and is incredibly important for students and their academic achievement, from preschool to grade three and beyond:
- Children who don’t read over the summer experience summer learning loss, forgetting some of what they’ve learned during the school year. Worse, the effect is cumulative– children who lose reading skills over the summer may be up to two years behind their classmates by the end of 6th grade. Children actively participating in a library Summer Reading Program gain reading skills and increase literacy.
- The Summer Reading Program encourages kids to read whatever they want, to enjoy reading for recreation. Studies show children who read for fun often academically out-perform children who don’t.
- When families engage in summer reading together, they have meaningful conversations, share adventures and experiences while also making an impact on their child’s learning.
- The Summer Reading Program and all of its associated activities are FREE– safe, engaging, educational opportunities for all ages, all summer long!
For more about the importance of summer reading for our children, follow the link to an article from School Library Journal. For an impassioned statement about libraries, reading and daydreaming for adults by Neil Gaiman, read this article from The Guardian. Thanks to the Madison Public Library and ed.gov for contributed material.