Kids’ Summer Reading Program 2022
Sign up for the 2022 Summer Reading Program (June and July) with programs for children (grades 1-5), teens, and adults! Log your books, earn brag tag prizes, and join us for programs such as weekly take-home crafts, rock painting, a titanic workshop, book bingo, and shark talk with animal behavior experts over the next two months!
Too young to register for the summer reading program? No problem! We have organized a series of pre-school ocean-themed story times for our readers-in-training!
Sign Up
Register for up-to-date information on Summer Reading Program events, prizes, and gatherings.
Log Your Books on Beanstack
Beanstack is a website and app that serves as an interactive home for reading all challenges and events. It’s your one-stop-shop to not only register for this summer reading challenge, but to also track your reading habits and unlock badges! With our Beanstack instructions sheet, set up your account today.
Earn Prizes
Log at least 3 books and you will go home with our Summer Reading Program system-wide prize: a dry bag (see image below)! Visit any branch location to pick up your dry bag by September 30th.
Brag tags can be earned for any kind of reading progress. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Visit a book trail and share a photo on social media or with staff;
- read and log your books;
- read a book on a specific animal;
- tell library staff a cool ocean fact;
- or, just come into the library to pick up a weekly craft kit!
Attend a Summer Reading Program Event
If you haven’t picked one up at a library branch, be sure to download our Summer Reading Program calendar.
June 1st: Registration and reading begins
June 4th: Registration kick-off day
June 13th: Official start to the Summer Reading Program
July 30th: End of the Summer Reading Program
Squishmallow Weekly Challenge Draw: Shark
Date: Monday, July 25
Location: Facebook Live
This is our final drawing for a Squishmallow soft plush toy! Enter your information and reading progress each week on our online form for a chance to be entered.
You must be registered for the 2022 Summer Reading Program to participate. Only one submission per child allowed. Prizes must be picked up within two weeks of the drawing.
Drawings will be held every Monday on the Morgantown Public Library Facebook page. However, all library locations are closed for the Juneteenth holiday (June 20th) and Independence Day (July 4th) so we will hold our weekly drawing the following day on Tuesday, June 21st and July 5th, respectively.
Clay Sea Creature Take-Home Craft (Grades 1-5)
Dates: July 18 – July 24
Location: All branch locations
While supplies last, pick up a sea creature clay craft kit from any branch location!
4-H Friends (Grades K-5)
Date: Wednesday, July 20 (2:00pm)
Location: Arnettsville branch
Join WVU Monongalia County 4-H for a hands on activity and lesson in learning to stress less. Participants will learn a little bit about stress and make a mindfulness jar to help combat the stress that they feel. Every participant will be able to take home a mindfulness jar and some techniques on coping with daily stressors.
Pop-Up BOPARC Book Trail (Grades K-5)
Date: Thursday, July 21
Location: Jack Roberts Park
Details Coming Soon!
Stop Motion Sea Creature Workshop (CANCELED)
Date: Saturday, July 23 (10:00am & 1:00pm)
Location: Cheat branch
Join Charlotte for an hour-long stop motion video creation workshop! This workshop is recommended for children in grades 3-5, but all ages are welcome. Register for the 10:00am workshop or the 1:00pm workshop.
Shark Take-Home Craft (Grades 1-5)
Dates: July 25- August 1
Location: All branch locations
While supplies last, pick up a shark craft kit from any branch location!
Each week, we have planned a craft kit related to our “oceans of possibilities” theme. Registration is not required.
This program is part of the 2022 Summer Reading Program (https://www.mympls.org/srp2022/). You do not need to be registered for the Summer Reading Program to participate in this event. See less
Sharks with Dr. Sue Raylman (Ages 7-13)
Dates & Locations: Tuesday, July 26 at the Downtown branch (11:00am) | Saturday, July 30 at the Cheat branch (10:00am)
Stop by the Morgantown Public Library for a morning program all about sharks! WVU Senior Lecturer Dr. Susan Raylman will be on hand to teach us about shark biology, and we will be reading a shark story and making a shark craft. This event is recommended for grades K-5, but all are welcome!
Pirate Party (Ages 7-13)
Date: Wednesday, July 27 (2:00pm)
Location: Arnettsville Public Library
Celebrate the end of the Summer Reading Program at Arnettsville Public Library with a Pirate Party Argghhhhh! Dress up like a pirate, walk the plank, and play pirate games. Make your own treasure chest and enjoy pirate snacks while listening to pirate stories.
Closing Party (Ages 7-13)
Date: Thursday, July 28 (1:00pm – 3:00pm)
Location: Krepp’s Park at the Pavillion
Join the Morgantown Public Library System in celebrating our summer reading participants! Drop by Krepps Park anytime between 11am-4pm! We will have activity stations set up, and prize giveaways!
Elementary Story Time (Ages 7-13)
Date: Thursday, July 28 (10:30am-11:30am)
Location: Clay Battelle branch
Miss Molly will finish reading “Dolphins at Daybreak” by Mary Pope Osborne. For this week’s craft we will be cooking up ocean-themed snacks.
Pre-School Story Times
Downtown Branch Story Times (Ages 2-6)
Dates: June 21, 28 and July 19, 26 (6:30pm – 7:30pm)
Location: Downtown Branch
Appropriate for ages 2-6, join Ms. Cathy for our ocean-themed pre-school story times.
Cheat Branch Story Times (Ages 3-6)
Dates: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (10:30am – 11:30am)
Location: Cheat Branch
Join Ms. Abby at the Cheat Area Public Library for an ocean-themed story time and activity! Recommended ages 3-6, but all are welcome!
Clay-Battelle Story Times (Ages 2-6)
Dates: June 14, 21, 28 and July 5, 12, 19, 26 (10:30am – 11:30am)
Location: Clay-Battelle Branch
Join Ms. Molly every Tuesday for a story and a craft! Our story times in June and July will be ocean-themed and we’ll make things like a mini-aquariums, pirate patches, and sailboat snacks!
Past Programs
Plarn Take-Home Kit (Grades 1-5)
Dates: June 13 – June 19
Location: All branch locations
Plarn (PLastic + yARN) is a form of rope that is created from plastic bags that can be woven into household items, like bowls, cushions, or mats. This is our first take-home kit of the summer! In your kit, you’ll find plastic bags and instructions to begin creating sustainable fabric!
Pick a kit up at any branch location while supplies last. Registration is not required.
Special thanks to the Fairmont State Creative Sustainability Council on developing these take-home kits!
Registration Kick-off Day (Grades 1-5)
Dates: June 13 – June 19
Location: All branch locations
Squishmallow Weekly Challenge Draw: Crab
Date: Monday, June 13
Location: Facebook Live
Each week, we will be holding a drawing for a Squishmallow soft plush toy. Enter your information and reading progress each week on our online form for a chance to be entered.
You must be registered for the 2022 Summer Reading Program to participate. Only one submission per child allowed. Prizes must be picked up within two weeks of the drawing.
Drawings will be held every Monday on the Morgantown Public Library Facebook page. However, all library locations are closed for the Juneteenth holiday (June 20th) and Independence Day (July 4th) so we will hold our weekly drawing the following day on Tuesday, June 21st and July 5th, respectively.
Movie Monday (All ages)
Date: Monday, June 13 (2:00pm)
Location: Arnettsville branch
Kick off the Summer Reading Program with a free movie viewing for all ages. Enjoy “Sing 2” with free refreshments.
Oceans of Crafts (Grades K-5)
Date: Tuesday, June 14 (11:00am & 6:30pm)
Location: Downtown branch
Join all of your Summer Reading Program friends at the library to make a variety of sea creature crafts!
Elementary Story Time (Ages 7-13)
Date: Thursday, June 16 (10:30am-11:30am)
Location: Clay Battelle branch
Miss Molly will be reading the first half of “High Tide in Hawaii” by Mary Pope Osborne and helping your children create their own flower necklace leis and other Hawaiian attire.
Plarn Workshop (Grades 1-5)
Date: Saturday, June 18 (10:00am-11:30am)
Location: Cheat branch
Join the Cheat Area Public Library and the Fairmont State Creative Sustainability Council for a workshop on plarn! Plarn (PLastic + yARN) is a form of rope that is made out of plastic bags that can be woven into household items, like bowls, cushions, or mats.
Each week, we have planned a craft kit related to our “oceans of possibilities” theme. Pick a kit up at any branch location while supplies last. Registration is not required.
Special thanks to the Fairmont State Creative Sustainability Council on developing these take-home kits!
Jellyfish Take-Home Craft Kit (Grades 1-5)
Dates: June 20 – June 26
Location: All branch locations
While supplies last, pick up a jellyfish craft take home kit. We’ll provide a mishmash of materials for you to create your own jellyfish! Feel free to use supplies you find at home as well.
Each week, we have planned a craft kit related to our “oceans of possibilities” theme. Pick a kit up at any branch location while supplies last. Registration is not required.
Book Trail (Grades K-5)
Date: June 21 – June 30
Location: Krepp’s Park (1235 Parkview Dr, Morgantown, WV 26505)
Read “Somewhere in the Ocean” by Jennifer Ward as you enjoy Krepp’s Park. Simply follow the pop-up boards and to progress through the story. You can find the book trail leading to the dog park.
Squishmallow Weekly Challenge Draw: Axolotl
Location: Facebook Live
Each week, we will be holding a drawing for a Squishmallow soft plush toy. Enter your information and reading progress each week on our online form for a chance to be entered.
You must be registered for the 2022 Summer Reading Program to participate. Only one submission per child allowed. Prizes must be picked up within two weeks of the drawing.
Drawings will be held every Monday on the Morgantown Public Library Facebook page. However, all library locations are closed for the Juneteenth holiday (June 20th) and Independence Day (July 4th) so we will hold our weekly drawing the following day on Tuesday, June 21st and July 5th, respectively.
Rock Painting (Grades K-5)
Date: Tuesday, June 21 (11:00am)
Location: Downtown branch
Join all of your Summer Reading Program friends to paint rocks to look like sea creatures. We’ll have the supplies–bring your creativity!
Shark Talk with Dr. Sue Raylman (Grades 1-5)
Date: Wednesday, June 22 (2:00pm)
Location: Arnettsville branch
WVU Senior Lecturer Dr. Susan Raylman will teach us about shark biology! This event is recommended for grades K-5, but all are welcome!
Elementary Story Time (Ages 7-13)
day, June 23 (10:30am-11:30am)
Location: Clay Battelle branch
Miss Molly will finish reading “High Tide in Hawaii” by Mary Pope Osborne and participants will learn all about tsunamis and underwater volcanoes.
Squishmallow Weekly Challenge Draw: Clownfish
Location: Facebook Live
Each week, we will be holding a drawing for a Squishmallow soft plush toy. Enter your information and reading progress each week on our online form for a chance to be entered.
You must be registered for the 2022 Summer Reading Program to participate. Only one submission per child allowed. Prizes must be picked up within two weeks of the drawing.
Facebook page. However, all library locations are closed for the Juneteenth holiday (June 20th) and Independence Day (July 4th) so we will hold our weekly drawing the following day on Tuesday, June 21st and July 5th, respectively.
Cypher Take-Home Activity (Grades 1-5)
Dates: June 27 – July 3
Location: All branch locations
For this week’s take-home activity, pick up your own cypher kit! You will need to construct your own decoder and solve the secret message. Once you solve the code you can come to the library to pick up your prize: Swedish Fish snacks!
Each week, we have planned a craft kit related to our “oceans of possibilities” theme. Pick a kit up at any branch location while supplies last. Registration is not required.
Kids’ Cooking Class with Ms. Ruth (Grades K-5)
Date: Tuesday, June 28 (11:00am)
Location: Downtown branch
Ms. Ruth will lead a kid-friendly ocean-themed cooking class. Follow along and be sure to post pictures of your creations on our Facebook page!
Finley the Fish Story Time (Grades K-5)
ocation: Arnettsville branch
Stop by to see Finley the Fish! He will reappear at the library after having spent the winter away. Listen to a story about fish and make a craft.
Elementary Story Time (Ages 7-13)
Date: Thursday, June 30 (10:30am-11:30am)
Location: Clay Battelle branch
Miss Molly will read “Pirates Past Noon” by Mary Pope Osborne followed by an activity making pirate flags and eye patches.
Squishmallow Weekly Challenge Draw: Seal
Date: Tuesday, July 5
Location: Facebook Live
Each week, we will be holding a drawing for a Squishmallow soft plush toy. Enter your information and reading progress each week on our online form for a chance to be entered.
You must be registered for the 2022 Summer Reading Program to participate. Only one submission per child allowed. Prizes must be picked up within two weeks of the drawing.
Drawings will be held every Monday on the Morgantown Public Library Facebook page. However, all library locations are closed for the Juneteenth holiday (June 20th) and Independence Day (July 4th) so we will hold our weekly drawing the following day on Tuesday, June 21st and July 5th, respectively.
“Build Your Own Unsinkable Ship” STEM Take-Home Kit (Grades 1-5)
Dates: July 5 – July 10
Location: All branch locations
While supplies last, pick up a “build your own unsinkable ship” STEM take-home kit. Be sure to email your photos to corina.chang@mympls.org with pictures of your ships and tell us how much cargo they were able to carry!
Fun Day Friday (Grades 1-5)
Date: Friday, July 8 (2:00pm)
Location: Arnettsville branch
Meet us in the gym at the Arnettsville Public Library as we play all sort of fun games to celebrate our summer reading program. Play games like “Sharks & Minnows” and “Fish, Fish, Shark.” We will have bubbles out for you to play with as well as Chalk Art Fish to decorate our porch.
Elementary Story Time (Ages 7-13)
Date: Thursday, July 7 (10:30am-11:30am)
Location: Clay Battelle branch
Miss Molly will finish “Pirates Past Noon” by Mary Pope Osborne from the previous week. This week for our craft we will build and decorate our own pirate ships.
Book Trail (Grades K-5)
Date: July 1 – July 14
Location: WVU Core Arboretum
In collaboration with WVU’s Department of Biology we have set up a book trail in the Core Arboretum. Read through an entire story as you stroll through the arboretum, just follow the signs with the pages of the book.
Squishmallow Weekly Challenge Draw: Turtle
Date: Monday, July 11
Location: Facebook Live
Each week, we will be holding a drawing for a Squishmallow soft plush toy. Enter your information and reading progress each week on our online form for a chance to be entered.
You must be registered for the 2022 Summer Reading Program to participate. Only one submission per child allowed. Prizes must be picked up within two weeks of the drawing.
Titanic Workshop (Grades 1-5)
Dates & Locations: Saturday, July 9 at 10:00am (Cheat Branch) | Tuesday, July 12 at 11:00am (Downtown Branch)
Join Mike McClung from the Morgantown Public Library’s Aull Center for Local History and Genealogy to learn about the “unsinkable” ship, its connection to Morgantown, and a brief history on distress signals. Participants will also make morse code bracelets and keychains. This is recommended for grades 1-5, but all ages are welcome!
Turtle Take-Home Craft (Grades 1-5)
Dates: July 11- July 17
Location: All branch locations
While supplies last, pick up a turtle craft kit from any branch location!
Ogua: A West Virginian Cryptid History (Grades 4-5)
Date: Saturday, July 16 (10:00am-11:30am)
Location: Cheat branch
Join us at the Cheat Area Public Library for a workshop on the ogua–a turtle cryptid said to live in the Monongahela River! We’ll even have a discussion with a local cryptid expert. After, we will be making cryptid artwork. This gathering is recommended for children in grades 4-5, but all are welcome!
Under the Sea Book Bingo (Ages 5-12)
Dates & Locations: Wednesday, July 13 at the Arnettsville branch (2:00pm) | Tuesday, July 19 at the Downtown branch (11:00am)
Come by to play book bingo with us! Win prizes and go home with books you can keep. This event is best suited for kids between the ages of 5 and 12.
Elementary Story Time (Ages 7-13)
Date: Thursday, July 14 (10:30am-11:30am)
Location: Clay Battelle branch
Miss Molly will read “Dolphins at Daybreak” by Mary Pope Osborne. This week for our craft we will make mosaic dolphins.
Squishmallow Weekly Challenge Draw: Stingray
Each week, we will be holding a drawing for a Squishmallow soft plush toy. Enter your information and reading progress each week on our online form for a chance to be entered.
Only one submission per child allowed. Prizes must be picked up within two weeks of the drawing.