Summer Reading

June 1 -  August 1, 2020

Start imagining your story now, because Summer Reading at Mesa County Libraries begins June 1, 2020. The Summer Reading program will be entirely online this year using BeanStack. Be sure to check this page often for updates on registration, entertainment, activities, and more!

Register Now for Summer Reading!

Need help or info?  Call our Summer Reading line at 970-683-2416.

2020 Summer Reading Entertainment Schedule

June (all events held online - please check the event calendar for specific links and registration, if required)

Laura Doherty - Imagine Your Story Through Song with Laura Doherty 

  • Laura performs her highly imaginative songs telling stories of a purple dragonette visiting from the moon, a courageous caterpillar crawling to New York City, and 27 pasta shapes coming to life! The audience will be twirling like spaghetti in a spoon!
  • June 2, 10:00-10:45am

Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta, Katherine Dines - Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Music with Katherine Dines

  • Families are invited to enjoy Katherine Dines' delightful children's music during her live stream performance.
  • June 4, 2:00-2:45pm

Sarahndipity - Pantomiming with Sarahndipity

  • Based on her children's book "Animals Get Funky," Sarahndipity will teach kids some pantomiming skills, or the ancient form of dramatic entertainment through gestures.
  • June 18, 2:00-2:30pm

Sam Malcolm - Teen Juggling Performance and Workshop with Sam Malcolm

  • Watch Sam Malcolm's amazing juggling feats, and following his performance learn how to juggle yourself!
  • June 18, 4:00-4:45pm

Drum Safari, Kids Program with Brandon & Teryn Draper - DRUMS, Dragons, and Unicorns: FIRE UP Your Imagination! with Drum Safari

  • Families will be captivated watching Drum Safari's video featuring drumming, puppets, and a whole lot of fantastical fun!
  • June 23, 10:00-10:45am

Drum Safari, Teen Program with Brandon Draper - Live-Looping Production for Teens

  • A rare musical experience you’ll NEVER forget! Brandon creates “loops” using a collection of exotic instruments (including didgeridoo from Australia, kanjira from India, assorted drums, bass, guitar, voice, and laptop).
  • June 25, 4:00-4:45pm, Zoom registration required.

July (all events held online - please check the event calendar for specific links and registration, if required)

Sarahndipity - Story Time with Local Author Sarahndipity

  • Celebrate emotions with local children's author Sarahndipity as she hosts an interactive story time featuring her new book "Animals Get Emotional." The story time will feature puppets and a whole lot of fun!
  • July 7, 10:00-10:30am

Sarahndipity - Dance Grooves with Sarahndipity

  • Kids will learn various dance concepts and styles while enjoying the groovy sounds of "Animals Get Funky," an album created by local musicians to support vibrant health and expression.
  • July 9, 2:00 -2:30pm

The Blue Zucchinni, Jeff Liddle - Magic Shows with The Blue Zucchinni

  • The Blue Zucchinni (aka Jeff Liddle) will be performing some virtual magic shows for you this summer! Jeff Liddle is a retired elementary school teacher who has been performing magic for kids in the Grand Valley and across the state for nearly 40 years.
  • July 16, 2:00pm, Part 1
  • July 23, 2:00pm, Part 2

Kids and Teens Take and Make Craft Kits

Take and Make Kits are available to pick up through curbside or inside our locations during June and July. The kits are tied to instructional videos that will post on our social media during online programming slots, and then be archived on MCL's YouTube channel. The kits will also come with printed instructions and are designed to be available for patrons to pick up in two-week increments, or while supplies last.

Kids Craft Kit Schedule:

  • Coyote Trickster Stories - June 5 to June 12
  • DIY Yarn People - June 19 to July 3
  • Balloon Rockets - July 1 to July 15
  • In-It-To-Win-It Games - June 24 to August 7

Teens Craft Kit Schedule:

  • Shrinky Dinks - June 5 to 18
  • Paracord Bracelets - June 19 to July 2
  • Hot Sauce Challenge - July 3 to 16
  • Tissue Paper Painting - July 17 to 31

Scavenger Hunt

Join us on an epic Summer Reading scavenger hunt! You can choose to do only the hunt for your age group, or get the whole family involved and complete the scavenger hunt for each age level. Click here to download your own Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt or visit any library staff desk for a printed version! Have fun and get creative with it. We'd love to see what you find – post pictures on social media using the hashtag #mclscavengerhunt!

 

Summer Reading FAQs

Why is Summer Reading so important for kids?

  • Reading just two to three hours a week during the summer combats summer learning loss. Students who do not read during the summer months can lose up to two months of reading skills. Plus, reading is FUN and fun is good for kids.

When does Summer Reading start/end?

  • Summer Reading begins June 1 and ends August 1. The longer you wait to register, the less opportunity you will have to unlock badges and earn prizes.

Do I need a library card to participate in Summer Reading?

  • You do not need a library card to sign up for Summer Reading. However, you will need a library card to check out library materials and use electronic resources, so we encourage you to get a library card so you can access all of the resources the library has to offer.

Is there a fee to participate in Summer Reading?

  • No. Summer Reading is available to you at no charge.

Will the library be hosting entertainers this year?

  • We will not be hosting in-person programming at our library locations this summer. However, special online entertainment and activities are scheduled throughout the summer on Mesa County Libraries’ social media channels. Visit our online Event Calendar to  learn more and to find specific links and registration information (if required).

Is Summer Reading for adults too?

  • Yes! Summer Reading is for all ages! Sign up to start earning points for reading and completing other activities.

How does Summer Reading work?

  • This summer you will track your reading and activities online, earning points along the way. No paper log is required! Participating online lets you see the points you’ve earned, collect virtual badges for your accomplishments, and automatically enter prize drawings as you reach milestones throughout the summer!

Is there a list of books that I have to read?

  • You are completely free to read whatever you want!  Participants can count newspapers, magazines, comics, blog posts, audiobooks, etc. 

How do I sign up for Summer Reading?

  • Visit mesacountylibraries.beanstack.org and select “Register and Individual or Family” to get started. Follow the prompts to create your account. You can also sign up using the BeanStack Tracker App. See this guide for further instructions or call our Summer Reading phone line at 970-683-2416 for assistance.

What is BeanStack?

  • BeanStack is our web-based Summer Reading program management software. It allows you to track your reading and activities, write and read book reviews from your peers, earn online badges, and automatically be entered into drawings for which you are eligible.

What is an individual account vs a family account?

  • An individual account would be for a reader who is only registering themselves for the program. If you are registering multiple people in your household, and would like to manage all of those accounts using one login, then you can create a family account. This is ideal for parents and other caregivers who are logging reading and activities for children

I’m a daycare provider/preschool teacher/day camp counselor/summer school teacher. Do I need to register each child individually?

  • If you are caring for five or more children and the children in your class/group are approximately the same age, you can register your entire class/group at the same time. From the BeanStack sign-in page, select “Register a Class or Group,” and follow the instructions from there. Once you register, you can give each reader an individual name by going to your Profile Settings. Registering as a class/group will allow you to log reading and activities for all members of your class/group at the same time.

If I created a BeanStack account in the past, can I use that account this year?

  • All BeanStack accounts created prior to 2020 have been deleted. You will need to create a new account if you have not already done so this year. You are welcome to reuse the username and password from your previous account if you desire.

What if I forgot my password?

  • If you provide an email upon creating your account,  you can select “Recover Password” from the BeanStack sign-in page. You will be prompted to enter your username or your email address and a link will be emailed to reset your password. If you did not provide an email address upon sign-up, you can call the MCL Summer Reading line at 970-683-2416 and library staff will assist you in resetting your password.

Coming Soon!