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Text "color our world Summer Reading Program 2025" and colorful art supply, book, and flower graphics

This summer we're going to Color Our World and celebrate all the many ways in which art and creativity enriches our lives! Join us for a summer of challenges, programs, prizes, artistic fun, and of course reading!

yellow smiling sun peeking out from behind a cloud

 

Youth & Adult Summer Reading Challenge

This summer we're again participating in one points-based reading program for all ages!

  • Sign up on Beanstack or at the library starting June 1. Everyone who registers will get a free book!

  • Track your reading in minutes from June 6 through August 2 using Beanstack or a paper log (stop by the library to pick up a paper log).

  • Earn points for logging reading, writing reviews, attending library events, and completing activities (list of activities is available on Beanstack). Each hour of reading and each activity completed is worth 1 point.

  • Points are redeemable for Reading Rewards starting June 13 (for adults too!). Redeem them each week or save them up for a bigger Reward!

  • Reading Rewards will max out at 200 and choice of Rewards is first come, first served.

  • Last day to log progress is August 2.

  • Last day to redeem Rewards will be August 16.

Awards for 1st , 2nd, and 3rd place will be presented in each age category:

0-4 years old,
5-8 years old,
9-12 years old
13-17 years old
18 years and older

There will also be a random drawing for youth ages 0-17 and for adults 18+.

The Awards Ceremony for youth 0-17 years old will be held Thursday, August 7 at 12:00pm on the Common Stage.

Reminder: Participants or their parent/guardian must have a library card in order to be eligible for prizes. Our Summer Reading Program is based on the honor system, so be sure to report your reading times honestly and accurately. Please check your reading log throughout the program and let us know if any entries need to be deleted. The Library reserves the right to reject an entry if there is reason to believe that a participant hasn't followed the guidelines of the program.

Get help with
Beanstack here.

Download the Beanstack
& Program Overview handout here.

Download a paper reading log for kids here.

Download a paper reading log for adults here.

Thank you to the Buchanan Masons for sponsoring our Youth Summer Reading prizes!

rainbow boarder made of colorful nesting half circles

Stop, Lunch, & Listen!

Thursdays, June 12–August 7 at Noon on the Common Stage (weather permitting)

June 12   |  Rainbow Circus

June 19   | Spray Day with the Buchanan Fire Department (Bring a towel instead of lunch!)

June 26   |  Science Heroes

July 3  |  *no event, Happy Independence Day!*

July 10  |  Mark's Ark Animals

July 17  |   Magic with Cameron Zvara

July 24  |  The Music Lady

July 31  | Big City Truck Day with Buchanan Public Services

August 7  | Summer Reading Carnival & Awards- Join us for prizes, bounce houses, free snow cones, & more!

Bring a picnic and enjoy the show!

Thank you to the City of Buchanan for partnering with us on these events!

We have lots of fun activities and events planned for this summer. Check out our Adult and Kids & Teens Programming pages or download our Summer Programming Guide for more details.

 

We are excited to host Cultural Arts Everywhere for a variety of programs for kids and teens this summer! 

Here is a sneak peek at the upcoming classes:

  • Creative Writing: June 18, 2025

  • Sing Sing Sing: June 24-26, 2025

  • Smart Phone Film Making: July 29-31, 2025

More details will soon be posted  on our programming page. All classes are free, however, registration is required. Call the library at 269-695-3681 to register starting June 1.

Cultural Arts Everywhere is also hosting  programs for adults at the Buchanan Area Senior Center this summer. Check CAE's website for more info!

 

Crayon border with text "More Creative Fun!"

Check out these fun creative resources from MeL, Storyline Online, Unite for Literacy, and more! (You may be prompted to enter your library card number or driver's license to access MeL if your browser can't determine your Michigan location)

Check out these eBooks:

Unite For Literacy Free Books Online, a collection of eBooks presented by Unite for Literacy. Scroll down for books about art and creativity in the Create and Play categories.

woman reading a book to a boy, a girl and a butterfly

Checkout these resources from Michigan eLibrary (MeL):

World Book Kids
Click on the Activities button and check out the Craft Room, Doodle and Design, or Paper Patterns, or use the Search box to look for articles with keywords like "Art" or "Artists."

 eBook K-8 Collection
Search for keywords such as "Art" or "Artists" for fun eBooks to read, or check out the following:

Artists: My First Artists by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Discovering Great Artists by MaryAnn F Kohl & Kim Solga

 boy reading on a beanbag chair with rainbows and diamond shapes behind him

 MiLibraryQuest 2025 Logo- A framed map of Michigan with a magnifying glass and an icon of a person jumping from the frame

MiLibraryQuest Summer 2025

Paintings have been stolen from museums across Michigan! The subjects of the paintings have come to life to leave you some clues to where they’ve been taken and who might have done it. Can you catch the thief? Teens are invited to participate in MiLibraryQuest from June 16 through July 31, 2025.

graphic of a farmer on a tractor and a gentleman with a walker walking with a girl, with the text "Visit"! underlined by a paintbrush

Roti Roti Art Center of Buchanan's galleries and gift shop are open to the public for free during regular hours. They also offer classes. Visit their website for hours and class information/fees.

Fernwood Botanical Garden Use your library card to checkout a pass to Fernwood and explore 105 acres of nature's artwork. Visit their website for hours. Reserve your pass in the library's catalog or ask at the library's Front Desk.

Krazl Art Center in St. Joseph, MI offers free access to their galleries year-round. They also have classes and lectures. Visit their website for hours and class information/fees.

Michigan Activity Pass Use your library card to “check-out” free or discounted passes to hundreds of cultural destinations, museums, and parks, including  a free day pass to any of Michigan's State Parks! Visit their website for more information.