Events at Mecosta County Libraries

Big Rapids Community Library

426 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids

The 2022 Summer Reading Program began on June 20. The BRCL offers a reading program for all ages and many events will take place throughout the summer. Visit our website at bigrapidslibrary.org for more information.

Great garden detective adventure. 3 p.m. on Wednesdays. Your garden sleuths will: plant and care for a community garden; growing, harvesting, preparing and tasting fruits and vegetables; developing a cookbook for the class; perform research to learn more about a fruit or vegetable; track their fruits and vegetables; and share what they learn. Registration is required for this program.

MiLibraryQuest: Treasure of the Deep. Teenagers are invited to explore shipwrecks, pirates and mythological monsters. Collect virtual clues and use them to solve an ocean-themed crossword puzzle. Start June 15 on https://milibraryquest.wixsite.com/quest1. Solve the puzzle and submit your entry form by July 31 to be entered to win a BRCL prize.

Next chapter. A junior book box. Choose a book box based on a favorite book series, genre or author and find something new! Just stop by the loan office and ask for one. Included in every box are two library books, a NEW book to keep, and fun goodies! New boxes will be available monthly and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Treasure hunt. Tails of the sea. 4-12 years old. The oceans are full of wonderful things, and some of them ended up in the library! Hidden on the first floor are 20 sea creatures; stop by the loan desk throughout June to grab an activity page for participation. Once all the marine creations have been found, submit your completed sheet to win a treat!

Stories in the park. 11 a.m. Wednesday. Join Mr. Howard at The Bandshell in Hemlock Park every Wednesday for stories, music and fun!

Teen book box. JUNE: Graphic/Manga. For students in grades 8-12 who have a BRCL library card. Each box contains one or more library books based on the month’s theme, a NEW book for your collection, and fun loot to keep. At the first floor office, fill out a Teen Book Box form. All boxes are available on a first come, first served basis.

Movies in the park: Twilight every other Friday (July 8, 22 and August 5, 19) at Anna Howard Shaw Memorial Park. Bring your own seat. Screenings are permitted by the weather. For more information, visit www.bigrapidslibrary.org or call the library.

Honey bee waves: 11 a.m. Thursday, July 14 at Anna Howard Shaw Memorial Park. Learn how bees collect nectar from flowers and turn it into honey; the three types of bees in a hive and their respective roles; and why honey bees are attracted to salt water. Taste honey from a real hive and make a hand-rolled beeswax candle to take home. The event is weather permitting.

Call the library for up-to-date information at 231-796-5234.

Walton Erickson Public Library

4808 Northland Drive, Morley, 231-856-4298

Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Program: June 14-July 26.

• Kick-Off (K-6): 10:00-11:30 a.m. June 14 at the Morley Community Center
• Week 2 (K-3): What would you see in the sea? 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on June 21 at the library
• Week 3 (PreK to Third Grade): In Search of a Story. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on June 28 at the library
• Week 4 (PreK to Third Grade): Wish a Starfish. 10-11:30 a.m. July 12 at the Library
• Week 5 (PreK to Year 3): Searching for a Seahorse at the Ok Coral. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. July 19 the library
• Week 6 (PreK to Third Grade): Eight Ways to Kiss an Octopus. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 26 at the library

Reading club for students in grades 3 to 6: Registration begins the week of June 14 and ends July 26. Kickoff is 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on June 14 at the Morley Community Center. Participants will read and record books at their reading level or higher. Those who complete the required number of books at the end of the program will have their names entered into a raffle at the end. We are also working on hands-on/craft activities for this age group with more information to follow.

These programs were made possible with funding from the Library of Michigan LSTA grant. For more information, contact the Walton Erickson Public Library at 231-856-4298.

Morton Township Library

110 S. James St., Mecosta, 231-972-8315

Preschool story time (5 years and under): 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays or Thursdays, from June 14 to July 28. Stories, songs, nursery rhymes, crafts, snacks and fun. (Tuesday and Thursday sessions have the same schedule, so please choose a day to attend.)

Summer Reading Program Events (KP-5th grade): 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, from June 15 to July 27

• June 15: Richard Paul, ventriloquist
• June 22: Surfer Magic Show from Surfer Joel’s page
• June 29: Under the Sea — Interactive musical concert
• July 6: Repco Wildlife Encounters — Live Animals
• July 13: Rockin’ and Reading with Leonardo
• July 20: Bill’s Baffling Magic
• July 27: Summer Reading Celebration with the Balloon Guy

Summer Reading Program Events (Grades 6 to 12): 1:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 23 to July 21; and from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 28

• June 23: Cameron Zvara, comedian magician and animator
• June 30: Jerry Decaire, Marvel comics illustrator
• July 7: tie-dye creations
• July 14: John Ball Traveling Zoo — Live Animals
• July 21: family quarrel
• July 28: After Hours Party (5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.)

When Hollywood went to war (Adults): 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12. Al and David Eicher will present the stories of nearly 90 celebrities who served in the US military during World War II.

Barryton Public Library

198 North Ave, Barryton. (989) 382-5288

Summer Reading Program: 1 p.m. on Wednesdays in July. Stories, crafts, snacks, prizes and fun.

Genealogy group meeting: 5 p.m. Friday, July 8. The purpose of this meeting is to bring together all those interested in being part of the genealogy group and to organize future meetings. Let the library know if you can attend. 989-382-5288.

Tamarack District Library

832 Lincoln Ave S, Lakeview. (989) 352-6274

Summer Reading Launch Party: 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7. Stop by and join our reading program and stay for our “Save Our Oceans” live animal program by Dynamic School Assemblies. This is a free event and open to the public. If you have any questions, please call 989-352-6274.

Animal Magic with Mark Rosenthal: 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28. A unique blend of exotic animals, life sciences and magic. Call 989-352-6274 to reserve a place in this program.

For more information, visit tamaracklibrary.org or call 989-352-6274

LIST OF LIBRARIES

• Big Rapids Community Library, 426 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids, 231-796-5234

• Morton Township Library 110 S. James Street, Mecosta, 231-972-8315

• Walton Erickson Public Library, 4808 Northland Drive, Morley, 231-856-4298

• Wheatland Township Library, 207 Michigan Ave, Remus, 989-967-8271

• Barryton Public Library, Barryton Branch, 198 Northern Avenue, Barryton, 989-382-5288

• Barryton Public Library, Chippewa Branch, 19171 Fourth St., Chippewa Lake, 231-867-2014

• Reed City Area District Library, 829 S. Chestnut St., Reed City, 231-832-2131

• Evart Public Library, 104 N. Main St., Evart, 231-734-5542

• LeRoy Community Library, 104 W. Gilbert St., Leroy, 231-768-4493

• M. Alice Chapin Memorial Library, 120 E. Main St., Marion, 231-743-2421

• Tustin Community Library, 310 S. Neilson Street, Tustin, 231-829-3012

• Pathfinder Community Library, 812 Michigan Ave, Baldwin, 231-745-4010

• Chase Township Public Library, 8400 E. North St., Chase, 231-832-9511

• Luther Area Library, 115 State St., Luther, 231-797-8006

• Tamarack District Library, 832 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview, 989-352-6274

Area Book Clubs

• Novel Tea Book Club: 3:00 pm third Thursday of each month at Artworks, 106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. 231-796-2420.

• Reed City Readers’ Book Club: 6:00 pm on the third Thursday of each month at the Reed City Area District Library, 829 S. Chestnut St., Reed City. 231-832-2131.

• Page Turners Book Club: 1 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at Morton Township Library 110 S. James St., Mecosta, 231-972-8315.

• Coffee Break Book Connection: second Tuesday of each month at the Walton Erickson Public Library, 4808 Northland Drive, Morley, 231-856-4298.

• Words & Wine Book Club: 6:30 pm the first Wednesday of the month, from June to September, at Young Farms, 8396 70th Ave in Mecosta. Contact: 231-972-8315, email info@mtplibrary.org