The Mercer Public Library has a full schedule of events and reading challenges for Summer 2023!
Summer Programs
Join us for weekly programs for kids of all ages on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. from June 15 to August 10.
- June 15: Bears for Kids with the Discovery Center
- June 22: Fascinating Folk Instruments with Vincent Schueren, Spoons for the People
- June 29: Galaxy Tie Dye
- July 6: Galaxy Folds: space origami
- July 13: Sun, Moon, and Stars with the Northwoods Explorers of Space and Astronomy
- July 20: Solar Science and Sun Viewing
- July 27: All About Owls with the Discovery Center
- August 3: Rap, Rock and Read with Miss Nina
- August 10: Imagining the Solar System
We’ll also host monthly double features for kids this summer! Join us for movies, popcorn, and crafts.
- June 12: All Together Now, featuring “The Fox and the Hound” and “Lilo and Stitch”
- July 10: Bravery, featuring “An American Tail” and “The Iron Giant”
- August 14: Magic, featuring “The Pagemaster” and “The Sword in the Stone”
2023 Summer Reading Challenge
Mercer Public Library invites all ages to join our 2023 Summer Reading Challenge. The 2023 Summer Reading theme, “All Together Now,” challenges us to think about kindness, friendship, community, and togetherness. Reach your reading goals and you could win some fantastic prizes!
Kids challenge: Ages 0-12
- Record the number of minutes you spend reading this summer. Your challenge: read 600 minutes (about 10 minutes a day) before August 14.
- You’ll earn digital badges and a prize drawing entry for every hour you complete.
- Grand prize drawing held on August 14, 2023. Prizes include a Solar Science Backpack and gift cards.
Teen and adult challenge: Ages 13 – adult
- Your challenge: read 10 books between June 12 and August 14.
- Earn digital badges and a prize drawing entry for each book you read.
- Grand prize drawing held on August 14, 2023. Prizes include an Amazon Kindle eReader and gift cards.
Use Beanstack to record your reading
We’re using Beanstack, an online reading challenge platform, to support our reading program this summer.
- To use the Beanstack website, visit mercerpubliclibrary.beanstack.org
- To track your reading using your mobile device, download the free Beanstack Tracker app for your smartphone or tablet. (iOS | Android)
- When asked, “How will you participate in Beanstack?” select At my library, school, or bookstore and search for Mercer Public Library
- Create a Beanstack account or sign in to your existing account. You can register as an individual or as a family, so parents/grandparents can help their kids with tracking their reading.
- Sign up for our Summer 2023 All Together Now challenge.
Prefer to record your reading offline?
That’s OK! Just stop by the library to pick up a reading log or download one here:
Need ideas on what to read?
Check out these summer literary program reading lists from the 2023 CSLP “All Together Now” program:
The fine print
Anyone can register and complete challenges online. We encourage all participants to have a valid Mercer Public Library card, but it’s not required. All prizes and rewards must be picked up by the reader in person at the library. Prizes will not be shipped and will not given to friends or family members to deliver to the reader. There will be no exceptions to this policy except in cases of extreme extenuating circumstances.