Welcome to Summer Reading 2024!
Although we will be having in-person programming all summer, we will continue to track books/points online. Please visit martinpubliclibrary.readsquared.com to register and log your reading (this is the same as last summer). You may begin logging pages on Monday, June 3, 2024! You will be able to earn points and prizes for books read and we will also have weekly prize drawings! For printable calendars of all events, click here.
Registration begins May 28th and you may begin logging books on June 3rd! If you have any questions, please call 587-3148 or email Ms. Jenny at jclaiborne@martinpubliclibrary.org
Summer Reading Registration
You may register at any point during June and July for the Summer Reading Program! We will be using READsquared to log books and track goals this year FOR ALL AGES. Sign up is simple, click here to access READsquared. There is also a free app available for both Android and iOS mobile devices. If you do not have access to internet or these devices, you may register by calling Mrs. Jenny at the library at 731.587.3148. There will be two laptop stations in the children’s department to use for registering and logging books.
Scholastic Book Fair
Help us kick off our 2024 Summer Reading Program with the Scholastic Book Fair. The fair is open during regular hours, May 28-June 1. There will be books available for the whole family! Your name will be entered into a prize drawing for each purchase. All proceeds from the book fair will go directly toward the purchase of new children’s books for the library.
Summer Reading Kick-Off Party!
Join us on Monday, June 3rd at 3:00 PM for an afternoon of fun! West TN PBS will be here with Rocky T for photos and book giveaways! The TWRA bus will be here with information on how you can safely have some great adventures this summer! Don’t forget to log your reading so you can pick up your first prize(s) of the summer!
Discovery Park of America Animals!
Join us as we welcome some very special guests from Discovery Park of America on Monday, June 10th at 3:00 PM! Learn about some of the animals housed at DPA and what makes them special.
Tales of Adventure with Runaway Puppet Theater!
Puppet star, Manfred, will play the lead in three of the biggest adventure folktales and myths of all time! Manfred will flex his felt muscles as Hercules! He'll don green tights and a feathered cap to make mischief as Robin Hood! And he'll set sail on a puppet odyssey as Sinbad the Sailor!
Join in the adventure on Monday, June 17th at 3 PM!
Camping Party!
Bring the adventure of the outdoors to the indoors at our Camping Party on Monday, June 24th at 3:00 PM! Build a family reading fort, snack on “walking” s’mores, create a campfire, and more!
Mr. Bond’s Science Guys!
Join us on Monday, July 1st at 3 PM for a fun, interactive science experience with Mr. Bond’s Science Guys from Nashville, Tennessee. There will be opportunities for audience participation!
This program is proudly sponsored by Woodmen Life Chapter 291.
Neighborhood Block Party!
You don’t want to miss this! Come out and enjoy a morning of games, food, music, and old-fashioned block party fun! Saturday, July 6th beginning at 10:00 AM. Located at Virginia Weldon Park behind the Post Office.
Bounce houses sponsored by Woodmen Life Chapter 291.
Bicycle Rodeo!
Take an adventure on your bicycle at the Bicycle Rodeo on Monday, July 8th at 3 PM! Bring your bicycle and try out the obstacle course, which will be set up outside the library near the Splash Pad. Enter your name in the drawing and you may win a helmet!
Mush with Noggin, the Sled Dog!
Have you ever wondered…
What does it feel like to ride the runners behind a team of dogs, steering a loaded sled through mountainous terrain, crossing the vast Alaskan tundra, hugging the shoreline of the great Bering Sea? What does it take to care for a team of Alaskan huskies? Could my dog be a sled dog, too?
Musher, Karen Land, will answer these questions and more when she and Noggin, the Alaskan husky, visit Martin Public Library on Monday, July 15th at 3 PM.
Land is a writer, public speaker, and three-time participant in the 1000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race as well as many other sprint and endurance races in Alaska, Canada, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Maine. Since 2000, Land has traveled to nearly every state with her Iditarod dog sled, mushing gear, Arctic clothing, and beloved dogs, giving over a thousand school and public library presentations.
It’s time to show the world that have what it takes! Bring the whole family and answer random family-friendly trivia questions to WIN! Every team will walk away with a prize! All ages are welcome to participate. Doors will open on Monday, July 22nd at 5:30 PM and the game begins at 6:00 PM.
No pre-registration is required. You will register your team name when you arrive. Maximum of six players per team.
Daily Summer Activities
FREE LUNCH!!
We have partnered with Trudy’s Kids Cafe this summer to offer FREE LUNCH for children ages 0-18 beginning Monday, June 3rd. Stop by Monday - Friday at 11:30 AM to receive a lunch. Eat here or take it to go.
Toddler Time
Toddler Time is for children 0-3 years old and their caregivers. Enjoy age-appropriate stories, songs, bubbles, and more! Toddler Time meets every Tuesday at 10 AM in the Event Center.
Story Hour
Story Time is intended for children ages 3 - 5 years old. Enjoy age-appropriate stories, crafts, and a snack. Story Time meets each Tuesday at 10 AM in the Story Hour Room.
Family Movies
Each Tuesday of the summer beginning June 4th, we will be showing movies the whole family can enjoy! Join us in the Event Center at 2 PM. Pillows and blankets are encouraged for a more comfortable movie experience. You may bring snacks.
LEGO® Club
Summertime LEGO® Club will meet every Wednesday at noon through the months of June and July. We will have weekly themes if you need inspiration. Use your imagination to build something amazing!
The Obion River Regional Libraries will be partnering with Discovery Park of America again this fall for the LEGO® Competition. Monthly themes will be announced and you may begin building your entries during the summer.
Makerspace Summer Schedule
The Makerspace will be open Monday-Thursday and Saturday at 11 AM. Patrons may choose to work on the highlighted project or personal projects. Please ask for assistance before using any equipment within the Makerspace.
Children under 10 MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Grocery Bingo
Adults are welcome to attend Grocery Bingo the first and third Wednesday of each month from 11:00 AM till 12:00 PM. Free admission. Everyone walks away a WINNER!
Career Adventures for Teens
Teens are welcome to join us to learn about a few adventurous careers and what it takes to have one of your own! We will meet Thursdays at 2 PM.
Teen D & D Club
Dungeons and Dragons character building and campaigns just for TEENS. We will meet each Thursday through June and July from 4-6 PM. Registration is required to participate. Call 731-587-3148 to register.
Anime Club
Watch and discuss an episode of anime (to be voted on) and try some Japanese snacks. Anime will be appropriate for teens and new adults, younger patrons may attend with parent permission. We will meet each Wednesday at 2 PM.
Adventures in the Kitchen
Join us each Friday at 11:00 AM in the Demonstration Kitchen to go on a food adventure! We might make snacks, breads, homemade Playdoh, etc. All ages are welcome. Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Story Hour Saturdays!
Families are welcome to join us on most Saturdays at 10:00 AM for stories, crafts, and more. This story hour will follow the same program as the one held on the previous Tuesday.
PLEASE check the calendar for changes in this schedule.
Ukulele Classes for Kids!
Join Becca Steele, Dresden Middle School Band Director, to learn the art of the Ukulele! Classes will meet on Thursdays at 10:00 AM. We have ukuleles that will be utilized on a first come basis or bring your own and join the fun!
Storybook Stroll
Come to Discovery Park of America on Saturday, June 15th for the Storybook Stroll! Join us for games, prizes and take-and-make activities. Tickets are FREE and available for Summer Reading participants only. Come for the event and then stay the remainder of the day to enjoy all Discovery Park has to offer!
Puzzle Swap
We are hosting another puzzle swap! If you have puzzles laying around collecting dust and would like to swap them out for something else, bring them to the library beginning June 17th and receive a ticket to use at the Puzzle Swap on June 22nd!
Watercolor Class for Kids
We are hosting a Watercolor Class for Kids on June 26-28 at 10:00 AM with an exhibition scheduled for June 28 at 11:00 AM. This class is for rising 2nd-rising 3rd graders and will be taught by Teresa Collard. Registration is required as class size is very limited. Call 731-587-3148 to register your child.
Reader’s Theater for rising 3rd-5th graders!
We are excited to announce the return of Reader’s Theater! Reader’s Theater is a learning opportunity for young readers and involves the participants in self-expression, group cooperation, reading skills, language appreciation, and creativity. It is a simple introduction into drama and there are no costumes, special lighting, memorization, or previous experience required! Dr. Teresa Collard will be writing the scripts and directing. Rehearsals will be held on July 16 & 17 from 2-4 PM, and July 18 from 2-5 PM. The performance will be on July 18 at 5:30 PM. Space is limited to 12 participants. Call 731-587-3148 to register.