Summer with the Library starts June 1 with animal guests, prizes

Contact: Rachel Cook

Gainesville, Fla. – Take a walk on the wild side with the Alachua County Library District’s Summer with the Library Tails and Tales program June 1- Aug. 1 with virtual events and prizes for children and adults.

Everyone from toddlers to seniors can register at www.aclib.us/summer or any library branch. Summer with the Library participants earn badges for logging their time reading and complete activities. Earn more badges for more chances to win a prize raffle for a Samsung Galaxy tablet courtesy of PDQ Restaurant. Participants can also receive a Summer with the Library tote bag of goodies at any library branch, while supplies last.

While most programs are online this summer, you can visit any library location to browse and check out books, movies, and more. Chat with your local librarian for help selecting the perfect summer reads for your whole family.

“Summer library programs promote literacy development and can help counter summer slide - a loss of reading and other skills that often occurs during the summer break,” said Youth Services Senior Library Manager Susan Wright. “Our summer programs and resources for all ages enhance lifelong learning and provide free summer fun to everyone in the community.”

Tune in on Facebook or Zoom at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5 for Summer Reader Palooza to celebrate the start of Summer with the Library. We will travel across the Library District to learn about summer plans at each branch and meet animal friends from Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. Plus, librarians will give away free pizza vouchers throughout the event to engaged viewers. Registration is not required.

Join us online at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays in June and July for Animal Tales with creatures of all kinds. Get to know animals from Alachua County Animal Services, Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, the Florida Museum of Natural History, and the Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation. Librarians will introduce animal guests and share stories and games. Watch on Facebook or Zoom, registration is not required.

Adults can enjoy a midday break with virtual Adult Summer Camp weekdays noon-1 p.m. June 7-July 23. Join community partners and librarians for a variety of programs, including an introduction to mushroom identification, art classes, and chats with local nonprofits. Registration is not required for these Zoom sessions.

“I am so excited the library could offer Adult Summer Camp in a virtual edition. We hope that this easy online format will allow more people to participate,” said Adult Services Senior Library Manager Jasmine Tran.

Teens can take on a new challenge with the Battle of the Books annual trivia competition. Registration is open through May 28 for teens ages 13-18. The first 65 teens to register will receive copies of this year’s three titles – Look Both Ways” by Jason Reynolds, “When Stars Are Scattered” by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, and On the Come Up” by Angie Thomas, thanks to our sponsor RTI Surgical. Teens will compete in a virtual trivia contest on July 24.

Thank you to our sponsors, Friends of the Library, PDQ Restaurant, and RTI Surgical, for supporting Summer with the Library programs.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Rachel Cook at 352-334-3909 or rcook@aclib.us.

If a person with a disability needs an accommodation in order to participate in this event he or she is entitled, at no cost to him or her, to the provision of certain assistance.  Please contact the Alachua County Library District at 352-334-3910 at least three (3) days prior to the event.  TTY users please call 711 (Florida Relay Service).  

By Rachel on September 17, 2021