Dinosaurs Roam Grand Ledge this Summer!
Our Summer Reading Program (SRP) combines fun activities and entertaining events to support and increase reading skills–and learning– all summer long!
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 dino/geology themed instant prizes for each completed kids reading log!
What are you waiting for? Dig in!
Get ready to read!
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 the Palace Project, Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla, and BookFlix. Need help? Have questions? Content FAQ.
Earn Fun Prizes!
Instant Prizes – Turn in each completed Reading Log to instantly win prizes like dinosaur rubber ducks, dinosaur gliders, finger lights, plus ice cream, cookies, french fries, 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 ReadSquared logs digitally.
What are my digital options?
You can use the app ReadSquared! 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 if you’d like to save some ink!
0 - K
1st - 6th
7th - 12th
Adults
Upcoming Events
For a complete list of our Summer Programming, including ongoing monthly and future events not listed here visit our Events Calendar!
Grand Ledge Community Food & Personal Supplies Drive
July 1 – July 31
Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation, so we’re helping to gather food and personal supplies for those of our community in need. Items of particular need are on this list*. Please bring all donations to the Grand Ledger Area District Library. Donations will be delivered to the GL SDA Food Bank, and will be distributed thru the Food Bank and GLEAP.
Dinosaur Painting
Wednesday July 1 | 2pm – 3pm
Use colorful paints to turn a plain wooden dinosaur shape into a magnificent creation. Wearing clothes that can get messy is recommended.
T-Rex Counted Cross Stitch
Monday July 6 | 6pm – 7pm | Teens
Calling all dino-lovers and crafty creators! Join us for this beginner friendly counted cross stitch program where you will learn the basics and begin a T-Rex project.
Dino-rama Dioramas
Tuesday July 7 | 3pm – 4pm
Use plastic dinosaurs, trees, rocks, paint, and other materials to create a dinosaur scene in a box.
Adult Bingo
Wednesday July 8 | 2:30pm – 4pm
Spend a relaxing afternoon playing Bingo and winning fun prizes. Everything is provided including light refreshments.
Secrets of the Salamanders
Thursday July 9 | 6pm – 7pm
What can salamanders tell us about the health of our forests and wetlands? Alexa Warwick, Ph.D. will introduce us to the fascinating world of salamander research, explaining how scientists study these secretive amphibians and what they reveal about the environment. Perfect for nature lovers, students, and anyone curious about the hidden wildlife around us.
Fall/Winter Sports Equipment Swap
Saturday July 11 | 10am – 4pm
Ready for a new sports season to begin? Join us for our Fall/Winter Sports Equipment Swap! This community event is the perfect way to pass along gently used gear and pick up something new for your
family. No equipment to swap? You’re still invited to stop by and see what’s available and take anything you can use.
S’more Stories Storytime
Monday July 13 | 6pm – 7pm
We’ll read stories about dinosaurs, sing songs, and, of course, make s’mores. Come join us outside at the library for s’more summertime fun!
Experience “Chinese Restaurant” Cooking with Ming [Reg. Req.]
Tuesday July 14 | 2pm – 3pm
Step into a Chinese Restaurant kitchen right here at GLADL as we celebrate the Great Michigan Read “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” by Michigan Author Curtis Chin. Experience a taste of Curtis Chin’s growing up experience! Chinese Chef Ming will bring all the equipment and supplies to the library, share the culture and traditions of Chinese cooking, and teach participant to prepare, cook — and enjoy– their own delicious egg rolls. Registration required due to supplies.
Minecraft Mania
Tuesday July 14 | 6pm – 8pm
Come out and join us for an evening of fun and friendly competition. We’ll have our Minecraft server set up and the laptops ready to go. No experience needed — all levels of players/builders welcome.
Speed Lego Building Competition [Reg. Req.]
Wednesday July 15 | 2pm – 3pm | Ages 7 – 10
Think you are a super speedy block builder? Grab some friends and test your skill as a team to speed build a Lego set! All teams will build the same provided set in a timed competition. The first team to finish will win a small prize. Teams will consist of 2 to 4 kids between the ages of 7 and 10, based on the official recommended ages for the selected Lego set. Registration opens June 24 and closes when full.
Dino-Fun with Alex Thomas & Friends Puppets
Thursday July 16 | 1pm – 2pm | Wacousta Branch
This interactive puppet show roars to life as adorable baby dinosaur puppets crack out of their eggs during the live performance. Through fun storytelling, audience participation, and plenty of dino-mite moments, you’ll explore different dinosaur species, ancient ecosystems, and the exciting world of paleontology. It’s an egg-cellent blend of education and entertainment that’s perfect for young dinosaur enthusiasts!
This project is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
Baby Stories & Play
Saturday July 18 | 10:30am – 11:30am | Ages 0 – 2
We’ll read a story, sing and rhyme together, do a finger play, and have fun while learning and playing. We’ll end with time for caregivers to socialize and babies to play and interact with each other. Best for babies and toddlers age 2 & younger.
Raptors & Velociraptors– Are Birds Dinosaur Descendants?
Monday July 20 | 1pm – 2pm | Willow Ridge Elm.
Are Birds Dinosaur Descendants? The Howell Nature Center will offer an engaging, family-friendly presentation and some answers to those questions during this live animal encounter. Live Michigan birds of prey that may include hawks or owls are shown and discussed to educate attendees on their unique characteristics, habitats, and diets.
This project is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
Switch Gaming: Player’s Choice
Wednesday July 22 | 2pm – 4pm
Join us for an afternoon of fun and friendly Switch gaming! We’ll decide on which game to play from a few library-provided choices. Feel free to bring your Switch to play between your turns on the library’s Switch on the big screen. All skill levels welcome!
Red Cross Babysitting Workshop [Registration Req.]
Thursday July 23 | 10am – 3pm | Teens 12+
Learn emergency procedures, discipline techniques, diapering, age-appropriate activities, rescue breathing, the Heimlich maneuver, and basic first aid skills needed while babysitting. Upon workshop completion, students receive an American Red Cross babysitting course certificate. Registration required, class size limited.
Red Cross Adult & Pediatric CPR w/AED Training [Registration Req.]
Thursday July 23 | 3:15pm – 5:30pm | Teens & Adults
Learn adult and pediatric CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED), emergency procedures like rescue breathing, and the Heimlich maneuver, and first aid. Upon workshop completion, students receive a course completion card in Adult and Pediatric CPR with AED and first aid. Class is blended learning online part is sent after registration for class. Registration required, class size limited.
Hittin’ the Bricks: A Historical Visit to Grand Ledge Face Brick Co.
Thursday July 23 | 6pm – 8pm | Lincoln Brick Park
Join us for a trip back to the heyday of brick and clay product manufacturing here in Grand Ledge. We’ll learn a bit of the history of clay products production, the companies involved and take a hike to the ruins of the former Grand Ledge Face Brick Company– now Lincoln Brick Park.
Tummy Time Art
Saturday July 25 | 10:30am – 11:30am | Ages 0 – 2
Babies can be artists too! Bring your little one and make some mess-free art. Babies will paint by doing what babies do – tummy time!
Switch Gaming for Teens
Monday July 27 | 6pm – 8pm | Teens
Teens, join us for a night of fun and friendly Switch gaming! We’ll decide on which game to play from a few library-provided choices. Feel free to bring your Switch to play between your turns on the library’s Switch on the big screen. All skill levels welcome!
SRP Dino-Finale Carnival
Wednesday August 5 | 5pm – 6:30pm | Fitzgerald Park
Enjoy a fun night of Dinosaur and foam fun, carnival games, prizes, treats and hot dogs! Each reading log you complete earns you more carnival tickets to spend! Many non-ticketed activities for all to play too like Eaton County Parks Game trailer. Everyone welcome, dress to get messy!
Dinosaur Perler Beads
Monday August 10 | 6pm – 7pm
Join us for a crafting program to explore and create with colorful Perler Beads! We’ll have some dinosaur peg boards and templates available or choose from many other shapes. Use string or magnets to turn your creations into decorations.
Fill Your Summer with Fun!
Grand Ledge Community Food & Personal Supplies Drive
July 1 – July 31
Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation, so we’re helping to gather food and personal supplies for those of our community in need. Items of particular need are on this list*. Please bring all donations to the Grand Ledger Area District Library. Donations will be delivered to the GL SDA Food Bank, and will be distributed thru the Food Bank and GLEAP.
Color a Dinosaur “Scale”
July 1 – July 31
What color were dinosaurs? Yellow? Green? Orange? Purple? Stripes? Polka-dots? Color a CD into a dinosaur scale– We’ll connect them to “build” a colorful dinosaur along the Library railing this summer!
Downtown Dino Quest
June 15 – July 18
The dinosaurs have stomped into downtown and we need your help to find them! Join the library and our downtown businesses for a roaring good scavenger hunt. Visit the participating businesses, find the dinosaurs, collect a card-collect them all and return to the library for a dinorific prize and a chance to win our grand prize.
MiLibraryQuest
July 1 – July 31
In a world where dinosaurs and humans are enemies, a mysterious force will try to bring them together. MiLibraryQuest Summer 2026 will be held from July 1 through July 31. Teens who participate will be entered in a drawing to win a prize from their library! Get started at mi.gov/MiLibraryQuest.
Code Club
Every Wednesday | 6pm – 7pm
Coding and computer science are a new kind of digital literacy, and libraries all over the U.S. are stepping up to help everyone build 21st century skills. Your kids can learn important tech skills and have fun along the way. Code Club will meet every Wednesday starting Sept. 18th from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Shipman Room. Best for kids in 3rd grade and up. No coding expertise necessary & Drop-ins Welcome! No Pre-Registration required.
Start coding today — join us at the Library for Code Club on Wednesdays at 6pm!
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
Every Tuesday | 11am
Meet at GLADL Tuesdays at 11 am and follow the little red wagon to the Trinity Episcopal Church playground for a family storytime filled with stories, songs, activities and a snack! An outdoor, sunshiney, playdate summer story-time for children (and their caregivers) too! Open to children of all ages. Families may bring chairs, a picnic blanket, and a lunch or snack. Rain location: 1931 Room – Stories to be told rain or shine!
Wacousta Picnic Playdate
Thursday June 18 – August 13 | 11am – 12pm | Wacousta Branch
Meet at our NEW Wacousta branch location (in the old elementary school, near the playground) to enjoy fun and stories at an outdoor family storytime filled with different themed activities: music, bubbles, water play—and time for play with your Storytime friends too! Families may bring chairs, a picnic blanket, and a lunch or snack. Stories to be told rain or shine!
Volunteering at GLADL this Summer
The Grand Ledge Area District Library is in need of volunteers for the summer. We welcome anyone 14 or over who would like to help with programs, our carnival, or just sit at the library and prepare crafts.
To begin volunteering, please complete our Volunteer Information Form and Emergency Contact Form. You may also 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. Thanks to the Madison Public Library and ed.gov for contributed material.
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