Summer Reading 2023

Children’s Summer Reading

Birth – 12 years old

“Find Your Voice” with the Summer Reading Program! Beginning June 26, kids up to age 12 are invited to register to read (or be read to) at least 10 minutes a day to earn weekly prizes. Each week participants can learn about different people who have found their voices and express themselves in different ways. Fill out a speech bubble and put it on our door to show us how you found your “voice”, and search around Gates for our Frida Kahlo doll!

Save the Dates:

Wednesday, June 28 at 6:00PM – 7:30PM
Summer Reading Kickoff & Ice Cream Social
Celebrate the start of Summer Reading at our Kickoff Party and Ice Cream Social! We will have a story time about expressing yourself, with songs and games, and then we will make our own ice cream sundaes! You will have the opportunity to sig up for Summer Reading as well. Registration requested.

Thursday, July 6 at 6:30PM – 7:30PM
Super Amy & Checkers the Inventor
Join us for a variety show starring Super Amy! There will be magic, comedy, feats of strength, and amazing acrobatics! Registration is required.

Thursday, July 13 at 6:30PM – 7:30PM
Meet Phinneas the Shark
Join us to meet our mascot, Phinneas, and enjoy a shark-filled night with stories, activities and more! Registration is required.

Thursday, July 20 at 6:30PM – 7:30PM
The Wondermakers
The Wondermakers will bring their interactive storytelling to the Gates Library on July 20th! Hear and help tell folktales from England, Eastern Europe, and Italy! Registration is required.

Thursday, July 27 at 6:30PM – 7:30PM
Cris Johnson Magic Show
Magician Cris Johnson performs his Yes I Can magic show, complete with a magic “traveling hole” and other cool tricks, for us on July 27! Prepare to be amazed! Registration is required.

Thursday, August 3 at 6:30PM – 7:30PM
Sam Hunt’s Crunchy Zoo
Join us as Sam Hunt presents a variety of crawly, crunchy creatures.

Friday, August 4 at 7:30 PM
Outdoor Movie Night: Bad Guys
Save the date for this evening of outdoor family fun in Gates Public Library’s parking lot. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and bug spray. No registration.

Teen Summer Reading

9 – 18 years old

Do you have some extra time on your hands? Do you have required reading for school? Do you just love reading? Put that reading to work for you and earn chances to win some really cool prizes!

Register for the Teen Summer Reading Program and enter weekly raffles to win prizes! The more you read, the better your chances are to win a prize. (Note: Listening to audiobooks counts as reading too.)

Registration packets will be available beginning Monday, June 26 and goes until Saturday, August 5. Don’t miss out!

Fun prizes you could win:

Magnetic Bookmarks
Mini Playing Cards
Sun Visors
Fidget Pops
Collapsible Water Bottles
Mini Notebooks
Gel Pens
Super Soakers
Butter Slime

Save the Dates:

Saturday, July 8 at
10:00AM – 11:00AM

Glass Wafer Magnets

Bring along your own pictures or original artwork and then turn them into some beautiful magnets.

Saturday, July 22 at
10:00AM – 11:30AM

All Together Now, Tasty Treats

Let’s get together to put together some tasty treats celebrating our summer reading theme, “All Together Now.”

Saturday, August 5 at
10:30AM – 12:00PM

College Eats: Help! I’m starting college! What do I eat?!

Liz Bauld will show you how to make some tasty food without the use of a stove.

Saturday, August 12 at
10:00AM – 11:30AM

Summer Water Coloring for Teens

Participants will receive instruction on how to create their very own, summer-themed masterpiece.

Adult Summer Reading

18 years old and up

This year’s theme is “Find Your Voice.” You can choose whatever you want to read, whether they are books from the library or your own personal copies. You can also review Books on CD, MP3s, or e-books.

Important Dates:

Registration Begins: Monday, June 26
Reading Program Runs: Monday, June 26 – Saturday, August 5
End of Program Celebration: In-person celebration in the Mark Assini Meeting Room Monday, August 7 at 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Here’s How It Works:

You will receive a packet with review cards.
Read books (physical copy or e-book) or listen to audiobooks.
Write a review card for each book you read/listen to and drop your completed cards in the wooden box
The librarian will draw names each week and the winners will be notified by telephone or e-mail.
At the end of the program we will have our End-of-Summer-Reading celebration in the Meeting Room on Monday, August 7th at 6:00PM. You will be able to register through our program calendar on our website. During the program there will be a random selection from those in attendance for a chance to win a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card. Registration is required and limited to those who have registered for the Adult Summer Reading Program.