WEEKLY EVENTS
run through the month of June
STORYTIME
Tuesdays @ 10:00AM
Geared to pre-K, all ages welcome. Themed stories and sometimes songs/snacks/activities, too!
PICNIC IN THE PARK
Wednesdays @ 11:30AM
All ages welcome. Bring a picnic lunch, something comfy to sit on, and enjoy a special themed outdoor program!
EXPLORE + CRAFT
Thursdays @ 1:30PM
Explore and learn with Sheri, our Children's Librarian. Then, get to make cool things with a corresponding craft! Designed for kids who have just completed 2nd Grade and up.
SPECIAL EVENTS

SUMMER READING KICK-OFF
Wednesday, May 31 @ 11:30 AM
Special kick-off "Fabulous Friends" program in the park featuring Storyteller Priscilla Howe, a native New Englander, from Lawrence, KS, where she lives with her cat, Pippin. A former children's librarian, Priscilla has been a full-time storyteller and puppeteer since 1993. She travels around the country and abroad, telling stories in schools, libraries, conferences, festivals and special events. She's always searching for new stories to tell, as well as for the best restaurant pie on earth.

SUMMER READING CELEBRATION
Wednesday, July 12 @ 5:30 PM - Library Park
Join Friends of the Mary Cotton Public Library to celebrate the end of Summer Reading with a fun event. Food vendors, games, drawings for ticket prizes and fun!
Printable Summer Event Schedule
Google Calendar
If you use Google, you can go to our Events Calendar, find the ones you want to attend, click "copy to my Google calendar" in the event details, and all your Summer Reading events will be added right to your own calendar!
READING GOALS
May 18 - August 11

GROUP A
0 - 2nd Grade
Goal: 25 books
Each additional 10 books earns a ticket for a prize drawing

GROUP B
3rd - 5th Grade
Goal: 15 books
Each additional 5 books earns a ticket for a prize drawing

GROUP C
6th - 12th Grade
Goal: 5 books
(120 pgs = 1 book)
Each additional 2 books (240 pgs) earns a ticket for a prize drawing
ABOUT READING GOALS
Read, record your books, reach a goal, claim your prize!
Everyone who reaches their goal receives a Pizza Hut gift certificate. After the goal is met, keep reading and earn tickets for prize drawings at the end of Summer Reading!
Ticket prize donors include: gift cards and items from Hiawatha Creamery, A&W, Sycamore Springs, Sabetha Greenhouse, The Traveling Art Teacher, JoyPop, Sabetha Health Mart & Downtown Coffee, an autographed KSU Hat and more!
Write them down! You'll get a themed reading log when you pick up your welcome packet at the library. These aren't required, though, so feel free to bring in any list to the library and the staff will count them up!
How to log books
Write them down! Our paper, age-group-specific reading logs are great because they help visualize progress towards each goal. Be sure to get one when you register in-person or you can always print one from here. These aren't required, though, so feel free to bring in any list to the library and the staff will count them up!
Bring that reading log or list in to the library and show a staff member you've reached your goal! They'll double check the total books and mark that level is completed on that child's registration sheet (we keep them all in a big binder). Then, choose a corresponding prize from the cabinet. Hooray!
How to earn a prize
Bring that reading log or list into the library and show a staff member you've reached your goal! They'll double check the total books and mark that the goal is completed in our binder. Then, you'll get your prize or ticket for a drawing prize! Hooray!

REGISTRATION
Opens Thursday, May 18, 2023
There are (2) ways to register:
(PS. If it's still summer, it's not too late to register.)