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 (2026 Logs available June 1)! 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!
Coming June 1! Logs will also be available inside the library.
0 - K
Grades 0-K Reading Log
1st - 6th
Grades 1-6 Reading Log
Upcoming Events
For a complete list of our Summer Programming, including ongoing monthly and future events not listed here visit our Events Calendar!
Unearth a Story — Illustrated History of the Soo Locks
Wednesday June 3 | 6pm – 8pm
The construction of the Soo Locks, connecting Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes, was a massive undertaking! Deep dive into the history of the Soo Locks with Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs. This presentation uses historic photos dating back to the 1860s to review the construction of the eight locks built on the St. Mary’s River and put them into the context of world and US events. This presentation also includes an update on the 9th navigation lock currently being built.
Wacousta Block Party
Saturday June 6 | 3pm – 7pm
Enjoy food, fun, music, and help raise funds for the Wacousta Co-op preschool scholarship fund. Stop by the GLADL booth to make some art, play some games, and enjoy a treat!
Unearth a Story- Summer Reading Kick-Off Party!
Monday June 8 | 11am – 1pm
Celebrate the start of Summer Reading at our Unearth a Story Kick-Off Party, featuring fantastic things to “unearth”! Explore dinosaurs, fossils, rocks, worms and more from under the earth! Meet local sidewalk chalk artist Ryan Holmes, creating Dinosaur Sidewalk Art for kids to color! Stop in to pick up an SRP starter kit with your reading log and surprises inside*, make a Dinosaur craft or two*, search for dinosaurs with our scavenger hunt, decorate a dinosaur scale, play our Sidewalk Action Game, and enjoy a tasty treat too! *While supplies last.
Explore Dinosaurs with Paleo Joe
Monday June 8 | 12pm – 1pm
Have a Dinosaur Adventure with a real paleontologist! 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.
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.
Rock Painting
Thursday June 11 | 6pm – 7pm
Decorate a small rock with colorful paint to display at home or in a garden space. You can paint a fun design, favorite character, or create a kindness rock with an inspirational or uplifting saying or design to hide around town for someone to find and brighten their day.
Red Cross Babysitting Workshop [Reg. Req.]
Saturday June 13 | 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.
Yankee Doodle Day Decorate a Bike Parade
Saturday June 13 | 10am – 11am | Families with Kids
Come Join the Parade! We’ll provide flags, garland, crepe paper, and more to “Yankee-Doodle” up your bike, wagon, scooter, or stroller– then ride with us in the parade! While supplies last. Helmets encouraged, adults walk with kids. Meet at Sawdon School Parking lot!
Yankee Doodle Days-Gone-By
Saturday June 13 | 12pm – 2pm
This summer festival has been part of Grand Ledge since 1982. So many years and so many memories, let’s share them! Come to the GLADL Digi-Lab to digitize your photos, videos, and audio recordings from past Yankee Doodle Days and donate a copy to our community archive.
Frog Walk
Saturday June 13 | 7:30pm – 9pm | Fox Park
Hop along with us for a Frog Walk at Fox Park! We’ll start by learning about different local frog species and the unique calls they make. Then we’ll take a guided nature hike through Fox Park to listen for frogs in their natural habitat and try to identify who’s calling. A fun, educational experience for nature lovers of all ages—bring your curiosity and your listening ears!
Air Dry Clay Diffusers
Monday June 15 | 2:30pm – 3:30pm | Teens
Just like archaeologists uncover objects that tell stories about the past, you’ll design a clay piece that reflects your own style and story. Once dry, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and enjoy the scent.
Switch Games: Super Smash Bros
Tuesday June 16 | 2pm – 4pm
Join us for an afternoon of fun and friendly Switch gaming! We’ll play Super Smash Bros today! Who’s the best player around? Feel free to bring your Switch to play between your turns on the library’s Switch on the big screen. All skill levels welcome!
Create Worm Motels [Reg. Req.]
Wednesday June 17 | 11am – 12pm | Ages 4 – 12 | Wacousta Branch
Who says worms can’t relax in a cozy motel? Get up close and explore a worm’s world by building a temporary worm habitat and learning about the needs of all living things.
Dinosaur Tales [Reg. Req.]
Wednesday June 17 | 2pm – 3pm | Ages 5 – 12
Let’s Unearth a Story as we explore some Dinosaur “Tales”. Kids will have a great time learning more about dinosaurs, the science of Paleontology, and trying their hand at a dinosaur dig! Finders-keepers!
Diggin’ for Dinos! Storytelling and Fossilized Fun!
Thursday June 18 | 11am – 12pm | Wacousta Branch
Penny Avery and Patty Rockafellow are the dynamic duo of summer reading fun! With a whirlwind of stories, tunes, and hands-on crafts, they’re ready to take your kids on a dino-mite adventure through time, featuring Mary Anning, the trailblazing lady of fossils. Children will create their own plaster dinosaur and a dazzling suncatcher to take home!
Create Your Own “Jurassic” World: (Toy) Dinosaur Photo Workshop [Reg. Req.]
Friday June 19 | 12pm – 1:30pm | Ages 4+ with Adult
Children (adults too!) love to use toys, models, and figures to create imaginary scenes. Award-winning video producer Kevin Epling hosts this fun experience in small scale photography. Kids and adults can bring their toys and models (3”-7” size works best!), and Kevin will have “sets’ in place for them to work with as they take photos!
Science Heroes: Digging It!
Monday June 22 | 2pm – 3pm | Willow Ridge Elm.
Unearth your curiosity as we dig into the incredible science that’s all around us! Watch as they harness the power of pressure and energy with their Toilet Tornado, help them experiment with physical vs. chemical changes with their Disappearing Polymer, and more! Tons of audience interaction and opportunities for your children to volunteer.
Nerf Battle Returns! [Reg. Req.]
Monday June 22 | 6pm – 7pm | Ages 6+ | Wacousta Branch*
Nerf Battles! Players will run, dodge, and dive as they try to out-wit and out-blast the competition during NERF Mobile Games! From ‘Capture the Flag’ to ‘Eliminator’ to ‘Zombies Vs. Humans,’ players will put their physical and mental skills to the test with several game styles perfect for colorful summer fun, indoors or out. Ages 6+, all equipment supplied. Meet at Jaycee Park, 525 River St. in Grand Ledge, near the Performance Shelter. *Visit our GLADL Facebook for any weather changes or updates.
Fill Your Summer with Fun!
Capital Area Humane Society Shelter Supplies Drive
June 1 – June 30
Help your furry friends this summer at the CAHS! Between June 1-30, we’re helping to gather food and supplies for the Capital Area Humane Society to help care for animals in need. Items of particular need are on our Events Calendar listing. Drop off donations at the Grand Ledge Area District Library for delivery to CAHS. Thank you for helping!
Color a Dinosaur “Scale”
June 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.
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. 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. Thanks to the Madison Public Library and ed.gov for contributed material.