Dormont Library’s Summer Reading Program will be held from June 17 through August 19. This year’s theme is “All Together Now”, a celebration of kindness, unity, and friendship.
Join us on Saturday, June 17 at 11 AM for our Kick-Off Party and learn to square dance! All ages are invited to this demonstration of the classic American dance.
Then, sign up for the Reading Challenge or some of our special programs!
Reading Challenge
Preregistration is now available, although books cannot be logged for the challenge until Saturday, June 17. Registration is free and easy.
Challenges are now separated by region; If you have used the Beanstack app to participate in reading challenges in 2020 through 2022, you will need to create a new account to participate in Dormont Public Library’s challenge.
If you are registering using a browser, please choose “no” when you’re asked if you’ve used Beanstack before and create a new account. In the mobile app, visit Settings, tap “Add Account”, and search for “Carnegie South” to find our challenge.
Reading Challenges (Birth-12th Grade)
To participate, read a book and use Beanstack to log it. You can read any book in any format: fiction, nonfiction, manga, graphic novels, audiobooks, ebooks, and so on. Very young children can participate by having a parent or a trusted adult read a book to them and then log it.
Books logged for the challenge should be checked out from Dormont Public Library, but this isn’t a requirement.
We recommend that kids and young adults read books for the challenge which are appropriate for their reading ability.
Prizes
A small prize is awarded for every book read from 1 through 10 books during the challenge.
For reading 5 books, a certificate of completion and a Millie’s ice cream coupon are awarded.
At 10 books read, and every 5 books after that (15, 20, 25, etc.) until 50 books, another prize can be claimed.
And we’ll award a special achievement certificate to any diligent reader who makes it to 50 books read during the challenge.
There are no milestone prizes after 50 books read.
Reading Challenges (Adults)
Note: In our materials leading up to the challenge, we announced that adult readers would need to read 5 books to complete the program this year. We have adjusted it to 3 books so that busier adults can participate as well.
To participate, read a book and use Beanstack to log it. You can read any book in any format: fiction, nonfiction, manga, graphic novels, audiobooks, ebooks, and so on.
Books logged for the challenge should be checked out from Dormont Public Library, but this isn’t a requirement.
Prizes
For reading 3 books, a milestone prize is awarded. For each additional 3 books up to 15 books read, another milestone prize can be claimed.
All prizes must be claimed in person at Dormont Public Library.
About Beanstack
You can use Beanstack through any web browser, or download the Beanstack Tracker app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. (Note: The Beanstack Tracker app offers in-app purchases, but these purchases are NOT necessary to participate in library sponsored challenges. Participating in library-sponsored programming is FREE OF CHARGE.)
No Internet or mobile device access? No problem. Call 412-531-8754 anytime that we’re open, and we can create a Beanstack account or update reading logs for you.
You may see a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh logo on the registration site and “carnegie” in the website address; we are grateful to CLP for their assistance in setting up the Beanstack app for all county libraries to use.
Summer Storytimes
Storytimes will be held weekly on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM and Thursdays at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. This summer, stories are about animals from all over the world!
June 20 & 22: Wolves
June 27 & 29: Frogs
July 6: Bees
July 11 & 13: Horses
July 18 & 20: Giraffes
July 25 & 27: Pigs
Aug. 1 & 9: Cats
Aug. 8 & 10: Monkeys
Aug. 15 & 17: Geese
Family Activity Days
An all-ages family storytime with an activity that everyone can do together. These will be on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month during Summer Reading.
June 24: All About Me: Quilting
July 8: Best Friends Tea Party (bring your favorite plushie!)
July 22: Rainforest Birds
August 12: Make an Egyptian Headdress
Art Around the World
We have two special community art classes lined up: one for kids in kindergarten through 3rd Grade and one for kids 3rd to 8th Grade.
For younger artists, join our exploration of art around the world on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 11:30 AM to 1 PM.
On June 24, learn to make a Chinese watercolor fan.
On July 8, string an African-inspired pasta necklace.
On July 22, build a sweet pyramid out of sugar.
On August 12, design and decorate a Viking shield!
Artists in 3rd to 8th Grade will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7 PM.
June 27’s project is a Japanese-style peacock fan.
July 11’s project is an African paper bead collar.
July 25 will have you building an Egyptian pyramid.
And on August 8, “forge” a Viking helmet!
Finding Your Creative Voice
Adults 18 and over are invited to express themselves on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 PM. Try your hand at one or all of these artistic endeavors:
June 28: Sculpey Bead Making
July 12: Linoleum Prints
July 26: Mosaic Coasters
August 9: Clay Pot Painting
We’ll provide the materials for each of these projects, as well as hands-on assistance if necessary.
Special Events
Saturday, July 29: Christmas? In July? Get festive with a holiday karaoke and a heritage cookie swap.
Saturday, August 19: Summer Reading Ending Party! Bring a T-shirt, and try some stencil painting. This is also the final day to log books for the Reading Challenge.
PDF Schedule & Full Events Calendar
Download or print a copy of the schedule here, or come to the library and pick up a copy!