Summer Reading 2023
Summer Reading 2023
Registration begins June 6th
Are you already participating in one of our other Reading Programs?
Follow these directions to link the accounts.
How to participate:
- Register, Read and Record the books you read or are read to you.
- Find missions in your Summer Reading account for more points. New missions open weekly beginning June 6th.
- Reading earns you points that you can use to buy virtual raffle tickets for prizes.
- Along with points for raffle tickets you will also earn small incentive prizes. Watch your Summer Reading account for notification.
Important Dates:
- Register, Participate, & Earn Points: June 6th - July 22nd
- Achieve badges through points: June 6th - July 22nd
- Pick up badge prizes: starting June 13th (as supplies last - Pre-readers and Kids)
- Use your points on raffles: June 6th - July 29th
- Raffles begin: Aug 2nd (Pre-readers and Kids)
- Winners announced the first week of August
How do I earn points and get badges?
Pre-Readers
- Listen to someone as they read you a book – 20 points
- Read a book or have a book read to you - 20 poiints
- Play a summer reading game – 20 points
- Complete activities in the Pre-Readers Missions- 20 points per activity
- Come to library programs – 100 points
- Complete a June or July Treasure Hunt - 100 points
- Earn points many ways, but get badges by reading
How do I use points and win prizes?
Pre-Readers
Use points to purchase raffle tickets for prizes
Kids
- Read – 1 point for every minute
- Play a summer reading game – 20 points
- Complete activities in the Kids Missions- 20 points per activity
- Come to library programs – 100 points
- Complete a June or July Treasure Hunt - 100 points
- Earn points many ways, but get badges by reading
How do I use points and win prizes?
Kids
Use point to purchase raffle tickets for prizes
Thank you to our 2023 Summer Reading Sponsors and Program Providers
- Sponsor List
- Please visit our sponsors and thank them for their generous support!
Program Schedule:
Adventures in Story Time
Story Time and Craft Activity
Tuesdays and Wednesdays (6/6 - 7/27) 10:00 am
Story Tower
- Enjoy stories, songs, and a craft designed around a theme
- Designed for 2-6 year olds.
Classic Books and Babies
Stories and Rhymes
Thursdays 3:15pm
(6/8-7/27)
Story Tower
- Enjoy stories, rhymes, and finger plays intended to foster a love of reading at an early age and build important early literacy skills.
- Designed for 0-2 year olds and their grownup.
Musical Books and Babies
Stories and Rhymes
Saturdays 10:15 am
(6/10-7/29)
Story Tower
- Enjoy stories, hands-on musical play and fun intended to foster a love of reading at an early age and build important early literacy skills.
- Designed for 0-2 year olds and their grownup.
Art Explorers:
Art Club for Tweens
Thursdays 3pm
(6/8-7/6)
For kids ages 9-12
Craft Corner
- Unleash your inner-artist by exploring fun art concepts.
- No registration required!
Tween & Teen Beadwork Series
Thursdays 3pm
(7/13 - 8/3)
For kids ages 9-16
Craft Corner
- Tween Art Explorers and Tech Lab Teens are joining forces to offer a weekly beading workshop.
- Participants will create a pair of earrings by the end of the series. Beaders of all experience levels are welcome.
- Registration is required - sign up here!
Take and Make Kids Kit -
Squish Painting Butterflies
Available June 6th
For kids ages 6-12
- Each kit includes supplies for a craft or activity designed to engage your child’s imagination and creativity.
- Each kit will include all the supplies needed for a child 6-12
- Kits are available on a first come, first serve basis, no registration is required.
- May be picked up at the Children's Desk.
Take and Make Kids Kit -
Kindness Rocks
Available July 1st
For kids ages 6-12
- Each kit includes supplies for a craft or activity designed to engage your child’s imagination and creativity.
- Each kit will include all the supplies needed for a child 6-12
- Kits are available on a first come, first serve basis, no registration is required.
- May be picked up at the Children's Desk.
Treasure Hunt
June 6th - June 30th
July 1st - July 23rd
- Earn extra points in your Summer Reading account
- Pick up a treasure hunt at the Children's Desk
- Find all the images in the Children's area
- Return hunt to the Children's desk for a special code!
Beyond Story Time
Thursdays (6/15-7/20 excluding 7/13)
10 am
Community Room
These fun weekly programs for kids 2-6 are educational and presented by community partners:
- June 15th - Japanese Fairy Tales
- June 22nd - Josiah Hugs and the Young Thunder Ramblers Drum Group
- June 29th - Greater Heights Dannce
- July 6th - Officer Best and K9
- July 20th - Ms. Molar with Shawnell - Dental Care
Junior Adventures
Wednesdays (6/14-7/19)
3pm
Community Room* (unless otherwise noted)
Registration required
These weekly programs are STEAM based for kids 6-12 and presented by community partners:
- June 14th - Tina & Daughters Iris Garden Tour (register here)
- June 21st - Pyrography with Rilie (register here)
- June 28th - Japanese Origami (register here)
- July 5th - Building Billings with Western Heritage Center (register here)
- July 12th - Balloon Animals 101 (register here)
- July 19th - Graphic Novel Development (register here)
Big Truck Petting Zoo
Saturday, June 10th
10 am - Noon
Billings Public Library Parking Lot
- Come investigate emergency, construction, and city vehicles.
- Touch and view heavy equipment up close and learn about the trucks from their operators!
Community Helper Bingo
Tuesday, July 11th
3pm
Community Room
- We'll be playing as many games as we can along with multiple variations, and we'll hand out prizes to the winners.
- Children of all ages welcome – no registration required!
Story Trail Ribbon-Cutting
Tuesday, June 13th
4:30 pm
Josephine Crossing Amphitheater - Front Street & Lost Creek Road
- First "Story Trail" in Montana
- The Story Trail is a wonderful way for adults and their young children or grandchildren to combine literacy skills and healthy exercise as they walk to each of the 20 reading stations while enjoying beautiful scenery year-round.
- This celebration will include treats and special craft based on the story featured on the trail. Bring your walking shoes, your reading glasses, and enjoy a story!
- Thanks to the generosity of the Billings Public Library Foundation and McCall Homes!
Walk on the Wild Side with ZooMontana
Saturday, July 15th
10 am
Community Room
- Join ZooMontana and a cast of animals for a fun presentation. No registration required!
Special Author Visit - Kari Walter
Tuesday, July 18th
3pm
Story Tower
- In Kari’s new picture book "Low to the Ground Leroy" see the world through Leroy's beautiful, brown English bulldog eyes. What can you do if you are low to the ground?
- If you are like Leroy – just about anything! But can you guess what Low to the Ground Leroy does like a pro? Come hear the story and find out!