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a Universe of Stories

Summer Reading 2019: A Universe of Stories

Summer Reading 2019 has ended! Thanks for reading with us - see you in 2020!

June 1 - July 31

Sign up at your branch starting June 1! This year's theme is "A Universe of Stories," so all summer long we'll be hosting some out-of-this-world events and classes for kids, teens, and adults! These events are made possible by our awesome Friends of LCPL group.

Check Out the Calendar

And of course, we have some stellar prizes procided by the amazing LCPL Foundation. This year, every branch will have a drawing for a $50 gift card that you can enter along with our usual system-wide drawing for grand prizes! And of course, reading a certain number of pages will earn you other, smaller prizes along the way. Read on to learn more!

Skip to Children's Rules - Skip to Teen Rules - Skip to Adult Rules - Skip to the PRIZES!

(Looking for local school reading lists for this summer? Check here!)

Explore the universe through books!

Children's Summer Reading

Children can count their pages whether they're reading or being read to! They'll earn a prize or raffle ticket every 300 pages.

300 pages

• Railcats game ticket
• grand prize raffle ticket
• branch prize raffle ticket

600 pages

• LCPL book bag
• grand prize raffle ticket

900 pages

• free book
• grand prize raffle ticket

1200 pages

• LCPL water bottle
• grand prize raffle ticket

And for every 300 pages read after that, they'll get another grand prize raffle ticket.

Upcoming Events

Mother Goose on the Loose: Ages Birth - 23 months

Mon, Aug 26, 10:30am - 11:00am

Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Babies and toddlers, birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, will enjoy this program filled with rhymes, books,... more

Babies and toddlers, birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, will enjoy this program filled with rhymes, books, music, and movement designed to help early literacy skills.

Storytime: Ages 2-3

Mon, Aug 26, 10:30am - 11:15am

Highland - Children's Programming Room

Storytime for children 2 & 3 years of age, with a caregiver, featuring stories, fingerplays, music and a craft, that teach early... more

Storytime for children 2 & 3 years of age, with a caregiver, featuring stories, fingerplays, music and a craft, that teach early literacy skills.

Grease

Mon, Aug 26, 10:30am - 12:30pm

St. John - Large Meeting Room

Take yourself back to school with this month's Musical Monday presention: Grease! Rated PG. Runtime 110 minutes. Refreshments will be... more

Take yourself back to school with this month's Musical Monday presention: Grease! Rated PG. Runtime 110 minutes. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is required.

Mother Goose on the Loose: Ages Birth - 23 months

Mon, Aug 26, 11:00am - 11:30am

Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

This special storytime is designed for children ages 0-23 months and a caregiver. We will sing songs, read short stories, do lap... more

This special storytime is designed for children ages 0-23 months and a caregiver. We will sing songs, read short stories, do lap bounces, and play!

Coloring for Adults

Mon, Aug 26, 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room A

Adults are invited to de-stress and relax with pencils and coloring sheets provided by the library. Or bring your own!

Word Games: An Afternoon of Fun

Mon, Aug 26, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A

Play Scrabble or other word games with friends and meet new ones. All games--as well as coffee and tea--will be provided. Join the fun!

The Public

Mon, Aug 26, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Highland - Meeting Room A

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek... more

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

Mon, Aug 26, 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Li-yan and her family align their lives around the seasons and the farming of tea.

Canceled

Teen Treat - Walking Tacos

Mon, Aug 26, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Dyer-Schererville

Teens will learn how to make "walking tacos" (meat and vegan option) then enjoy eating them afterward.

The Public

Mon, Aug 26, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Highland - Meeting Room A

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek... more

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.

Calumet Astronomical Society - Capturing the Night Sky With the Basics

Mon, Aug 26, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Munster - Large Meeting Room

Join the Calumet Astronomical Society, Inc. at the Library for an evening of space, science, & astronomical excitement! All welcome! A... more

Join the Calumet Astronomical Society, Inc. at the Library for an evening of space, science, & astronomical excitement! All welcome! A short business meeting precedes our speaker.

Crochet @ Your Library

Mon, Aug 26, 7:00pm - 8:15pm

Cedar Lake - Public Tables

Bring yarn and a size H crochet hook or size 7 knitting needles and cotton yarn ... or bring along a project you're already working on!

Storytime: Ages 2-3

Tue, Aug 27, 10:00am - 10:45am

Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Storytime for children 2 & 3 years of age, with a caregiver, featuring stories, fingerplays, music and a craft, that teach early... more

Storytime for children 2 & 3 years of age, with a caregiver, featuring stories, fingerplays, music and a craft, that teach early literacy skills.

Storytime: Ages Birth - 6

Tue, Aug 27, 11:00am - 11:45am

Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Families are invited to join us for a 45-minute story time. We will read books, sing songs, and have fun activities!

Storytime: Ages 4-5

Tue, Aug 27, 11:15am - 12:15pm

Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Storytime featuring stories, fingerplays, music and a craft that teach pre-reading skills for kids 4-6.

One-On-One Tech Help: Computer Help

Tue, Aug 27, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

St. John - Small Study Room A

Receive individualized instruction in basic computer skills.

This event is full

Family Storytime

Tue, Aug 27, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Highland - Children's Programming Room

Stories, fingerplays, music, related activities and a craft are all included this this storytime for children and their family members.

Great Decisions - Discussion Group

Tue, Aug 27, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Munster - Large Meeting Room

Discuss world affairs with the Foreign Policy Association. See monthly topics: Note: Colleen Hickman will facilitate Aug. 13 Note:... more

Discuss world affairs with the Foreign Policy Association. See monthly topics: Note: Colleen Hickman will facilitate Aug. 13 Note: Richard Rupp will be here September 10 & Nov. 12.

CHESS and GO CLUBS

Tue, Aug 27, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Merrillville - Meeting Room A

Play a friendly game of Chess or Go.

LGBTQ Teens & Allies Time

Tue, Aug 27, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Merrillville - Meeting Room B

Together with PFLAGCP-NWI, we are hosting a social, support, education, & networking space for LGBTQ+ teens & their allies. Teens... more

Together with PFLAGCP-NWI, we are hosting a social, support, education, & networking space for LGBTQ+ teens & their allies. Teens (12-18) are welcome. Parents/guardians can meet concurrently.

Mother Goose on the Loose: Ages Birth - 23 months

Wed, Aug 28, 10:30am - 11:00am

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Children birth - 23 mos. old, accompanied by an adult caregiver, will enjoy this 30 min. lap-sit program. Songs, stories, finger plays... more

Children birth - 23 mos. old, accompanied by an adult caregiver, will enjoy this 30 min. lap-sit program. Songs, stories, finger plays and rhymes will encourage interaction and language development.

Storytime: Ages 4-6

Wed, Aug 28, 10:30am - 11:30am

Highland - Children's Programming Room

Storytime featuring stories, fingerplays, music and a craft that teach pre-reading skills for kids 4-6.

Off the Hook

Wed, Aug 28, 12:30pm - 2:00pm

St. John - Large Meeting Room

Bring your favorite yarn or thread project and enjoy some great company while you create! All crafters are welcome, no matter what craft... more

Bring your favorite yarn or thread project and enjoy some great company while you create! All crafters are welcome, no matter what craft you enjoy!

Travel Film: The Jungles & Rivers of Costa Rica

Wed, Aug 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Costa Rica receives up to 300 inches of rain annually, creating lush jungles and raging rivers. At the Rainmaker Nature Refuge, explore... more

Costa Rica receives up to 300 inches of rain annually, creating lush jungles and raging rivers. At the Rainmaker Nature Refuge, explore the jungle canopy from 350 feet in the air.

Teen Game Fest

Wed, Aug 28, 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A

Play Wii games, jam out on Guitar Hero or many other games!

Teen Game On

Wed, Aug 28, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Highland - Meeting Room A

Eat snacks while playing video and board games.

Preview Purdue Night

Wed, Aug 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Merrillville - Meeting Room A

Registration begins at 6:00 pm. Presentation is at 6:30 pm.

Pajama Storytime: Ages Birth - 6

Wed, Aug 28, 6:30pm - 7:15pm

Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Families are invited to join us for a 45-minute story time. We will read books, sing songs, and have fun activities! Kids can wear their... more

Families are invited to join us for a 45-minute story time. We will read books, sing songs, and have fun activities! Kids can wear their pajamas at this relaxed evening story time.

The Hamilton Affair - Between the Lines Book Club

Wed, Aug 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)

The Between the Lines Book Club reads "The Hamilton Affair " by Elizabeth Cobbs. Books for this discussion can be picked up at the... more

The Between the Lines Book Club reads "The Hamilton Affair " by Elizabeth Cobbs. Books for this discussion can be picked up at the circulation desk a month prior to the event.

See all events

Teen Summer Reading

Our summer reading program wouldn't be possible without our teen volunteers! Even if you're not volunteering this year, though, you can still read to earn prizes.

300 pages	• Railcats game ticket • grand prize raffle ticket • branch prize raffle ticket
600 pages	• LCPL book bag • grand prize raffle ticket
900 pages	• free book from our book sale • grand prize raffle ticket
1200 pages	• LCPL water bottle • grand prize raffle ticket

And for every 300 pages you read after that, you'll get another grand prize raffle ticket.

Adult Summer Reading

Why should kids have all the fun? Whether you're reading to others or reading for yourself, your pages count.

Books arranged as a cityscape against a solar system backdrop

300 pages	• grand prize raffle ticket • branch prize raffle ticket
600 pages	• grand prize raffle ticket
900 pages	• grand prize raffle ticket
1200 pages	• 3 free books from our book sale

And for every 300 pages you read after that, you'll get another grand prize raffle ticket.