Adventure Begins at your Library

Summer Reading Program

Summer Reading Fun! May 31 – July 26, 2025

Explore the Possibilities with our FREE Summer Reading Program!

Registration begins May 12th

Summertime is a fantastic time to visit the library!
Experience all the fun as MRL kicks off its annual Summer Reading Program “Color Our World” on Saturday, May 31st. You can register online or in person at MRL.

On May 31st, you can start tracking their reading and activities progress online at mrlinfo.beanstack.com from their digital device, as well as earn badges and prizes, play fun games, and learn valuable tips. The program is free and open to the public. It runs through Saturday, July 26th.

Fun summer adventures await you at Morrisson-Reeves Library!  Your adventures begin May 31st with a Lego Game Show!

Tracking you and your family’s reading progress is easy and quick with the online tracking system. If you wish to track your reading in person at the library, ask library staff to track things when you visit the library.

Looking for family fun throughout the summer? Various programs are offered for all ages, from pre-schoolers to teens to adults. A sampling of the programs provided are crafting for teens, storytimes, art programs, live music, author visits, reading clubs, and ballroom dance lessons. If you want to attend programs in person at the library, registration is required for some of our events. Links to registration and full program details can be found at mrlinfo.org/events.

The Summer Reading Program is proudly sponsored by the Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library.

Summer Reading Program Sponsored By:

Friends of MRL Logo

MRL Summer Programs

Preschool

COLOR OUR WORLD STORYTIME
TUESDAYS @ 10AM
JUNE 3, 10, 17, 24
JULY 1, 8, 15, 22
A weekly storytime featuring stories and crafts for 3-6 year olds. A different color will be featured each week.

COLOR OUR WORLD WITH MUSIC & MOVEMENT
THURSDAYS @ 10AM
JUNE 5, 12, 19, 26
JULY 3, 10, 17, 24

Come sing, dance, and move our bodies to different beats and music of many different cultures. We’ll also play some games where we move those amazing bodies of ours!

FIREFLY FRIDAYS
Fridays @ 10AM
JUNE 6, 13, 20, 27
JULY 11
Discover your new favorite books at Firefly Fridays! Join us on the MRL Courtyard Patio for a five-week outdoor series where children ages 5 and under can explore the 2025 Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award nominees. Each week, we’ll dive into a nominated book and provide a fun grab-and-go activity. Best of all, your little ones will get to vote for their favorite!

WIGGLE WORMS
FRIDAYS @ 10AM
JUNE 6, 13, 20, 27
JULY 11, 18, 25
Join us to grow your child’s love of books with reading, singing and playing in a gentle non-restrictive time.

Teens

STAINED GLASS FOIL ART
THURSDAY, JUNE 5 @ 3PM
Transform simple materials into stunning works of art at our Stained Glass Foil Art workshop! Teens ages 12-18 will use templates, foil, and vibrant markers to create their own stained glass lookalike pieces. Design your unique masterpiece and add a touch of artistic flair to your space.

STREET ART
THURSDAY, JUNE 12 @ 3PM
Explore the vibrant world of street art! Teens will delve into the cultural significance of this dynamic art form and learn essential techniques to create their own unique “tag.” Express yourself through this powerful and visually striking art form.

EMBELLISHED PHOTO PORTRAITS
THURSDAY, JUNE 19 @ 3PM
Blend photography and fiber arts in our Embellished Photo Portraits workshop! Teens will explore the techniques of artists Bisa Butler and Victoria Villasana, learning how to enhance a photograph of their choice using needle and thread. Discover how to transform a simple photo into a stunning, textured piece of art.

REIMAGINED BOOK COVERS
THURSDAY, JUNE 26 @ 2PM
Dive into the world of book design! Teens will reimagine and create new covers for their favorite books, exploring how visuals can transform a story’s impact.

SHARPIE TIE DYE
THURSDAY, JULY 3
Discover a new twist on tie dye! Teens will use Sharpies to create vibrant and unique designs on cotton fabric. Learn how to transform simple fabric into a colorful masterpiece with this fun and innovative technique.

CROCHET 101
THURSDAY, JULY 10 @ 3PM
Get hooked on crochet!
Our Crochet 101 for Teens workshop is the perfect place to learn the basics and explore your creativity. We’ll provide the supplies and guide you through the fundamental stitches, so you can start crafting your own unique creations.

IMPROV WORKSHOP
THURSDAY, JULY 24 @ 3PM
Teens will participate in improv activities led by an experienced theatre professional

Children

LEGO GAME SHOW
SATURDAY, MAY 31 @ 11AM
Get ready for a brick-tastic showdown! Join us for a LEGO Game Show hosted by C3Brix, a.k.a. Cody Wells, one of the nation’s most celebrated custom LEGO artists! This isn’t just building; it’s a high-energy competition filled with creative challenges and LEGO-fueled fun. Whether you’re a master builder or a casual fan, you’ll love the excitement and surprises in store.

PIECE OF THE ART PIE – COLOR WHEELS
TUESDAY, JUNE 3 @ 4PM
Unlock the secrets of color at Piece of the Art Pie – Color Wheels! Join us to discover how color wheels work, explore their uses, and witness the magic of color mixing. Learn how simple combinations can create a world of visual possibilities! While all are welcome, this event is especially tailored for budding artists aged 6-12.

HOMESCHOOL HANGOUT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 @ 10:30AM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 @ 10:30AM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 @ 10:30AM
Looking for a supportive and social environment for your homeschool family? Come to our Homeschool Hangout! Kids can collaborate on lessons and enjoy games, while parents connect and share valuable resources. It’s a great way to build friendships and find support within the homeschool community.

CUPCAKE CLUB
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 @ 5:30PM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9 @ 5:30PM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 @ 5:30PM
Sweeten your reading experience at Cupcake Club! Join us each month for a delightful book club designed for kids in grades K-2. We’ll read exciting stories, discuss our favorite parts, and best of all, enjoy delicious cupcakes while we chat! Pick up your book at the Youth Services Desk and get ready for a tasty adventure in reading.

SWEET READS
THURSDAYS @ 4PM
JUNE 5, 12, 19, 26
JULY 3, 10, 17, 24
Indulge in a delightful weekly storytime experience at Sweet Reads! Join us for engaging stories and a tasty treat to complement each session. It’s the perfect way to add a little sweetness to your week with fun stories and yummy bites.

STARRY NIGHT: IMPRESSIONISM ART
TUESDAY, JUNE 10 @ 4PM
Discover the beauty of Impressionism with van Gogh’s “Starry Night”! Kids will learn about the artist’s unique style and then use their own creativity to paint their own starry night. We’ll explore how van Gogh used brushstrokes and color to bring his vision to life.

COLOR CHANGING SLIME SUNCATCHER
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 @ 5:30PM
Get ready for a colorful and scientific crafting experience! Join us to create a unique suncatcher using thermochromic slime that changes color with the temperature. Watch as your slime transforms in the sunlight, creating an ever-changing piece of art to hang in your window.

MESSY FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, JUNE 14 @ 1PM
Get ready to get gloriously messy at Morrisson-Reeves Library’s Summer Messy Festival! Dive into a world of tactile fun where you can finger paint, squish and explore the fascinating goo of Ooblek, and discover even more wonderfully messy activities! And the best part is that you don’t have to clean any of it up! This family-friendly program is geared towards children, but anyone can participate as long as they are prepared to get a little messy.

ABSTRACT ART: THINKING OUTSIDE THE ART BOX
TUESDAY, JUNE 17 @ 4PM
Discover the pioneering abstract artist Hilma af Klint and her unique vision. We’ll delve into her innovative techniques and explore the beauty of abstract art. Get inspired by her work and create your own abstract artwork, expressing your own unique perspective.

POPCORN & PAPERBACKS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 @ 5:30PM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 @ 5:30PM
Love to read and talk about books? Then Popcorn & Paperbacks is for you! Join our book club for 2nd-4th graders, where we’ll explore awesome stories and share our thoughts while munching on yummy popcorn. It’s a great way to make friends and discover new favorite books.

A DOT OF ART: POINTILISM
TUESDAY, JUNE 24 @ 4PM
Learn about Pointillism, the art of painting with tiny dots. We’ll explore how artists use this technique and then you’ll create your own dotted artwork. It’s a hands-on experience that will bring out your inner artist.

GALAXY OF COLORS SENSORY BOTTLE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 @ 5:30PM
Create your own mini-galaxy in a bottle! Join us to craft a mesmerizing sensory bottle filled with swirling colors and cosmic patterns. Watch as your galaxy comes to life with beautiful, flowing movements. It’s a captivating and calming experience you can hold in your hands.

ROZ PUPPETS PRESENTS PERCY THE PURPLE COW
SATURDAY, JUNE 28 @ 11AM
Join us for this fun, original story about a happy little cow who turned purple because of her love of grape soda. Through some silly mishaps she finds fame just by being herself.

DE COLORES BILINGUAL SINGALONG
MONDAY, JUNE 30 @ 4PM
Visit MRL for a bilingual singalong party led by live musicians! AMIGOS and Every Child Can Read have partnered with MRL to offer this family-friendly music and language experience. Learn to sing fun songs in Spanish and English.

SPLATTER!
TUESDAY, JULY 1 @ 4PM
Unleash your inner artist and let loose with Splatter! Channel the spirit of Jackson Pollock and create art with wild abandon. We’ll explore his revolutionary splatter technique and give you the chance to make your own dynamic, abstract masterpiece.

SHARK TOOTH NECKLACE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 @ 5:30PM
Make a fin-tastic keepsake to commemorate Shark Week! Create your own shark tooth necklace and wear a piece of the ocean wherever you go. We’ll provide everything you need to craft a cool and unique necklace.

FLOWER POWER
TUESDAY, JULY 8 @ 4PM
Discover the power of flowers through art! Join us for Flower Power, where we’ll be inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s unique perspective. Learn how she captured the essence of flowers on canvas and create your own bold and beautiful floral paintings.

A STRING OF KNOWLEDGE: YARN
TUESDAY, JULY 15 @ 4PM
Unravel the secrets of yarn! Discover the fascinating journey from raw materials to finished creations. Witness the fascinating process of yarn making, learn how vibrant colors are achieved through dyeing, and see the endless possibilities of what yarn can become. It’s a hands-on exploration of a timeless craft.

ART THAT ROCKS: ROCK PAINTING
TUESDAY, JULY 22 @ 4PM
Time to paint on some rocks. Make a new friend to take home, a decoration for the garden, or a paper protector.

PHOTO COMIC CLUB
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 @ 5:30PM
Ever wanted to see your own stories come to life? Join our Photo Comic Club and dive into the exciting world of comic strips! We’ll provide supplies to help you craft your very own visual tales.

ART OF NATURE
TUESDAY, JULY 29 @ 4PM
You’ll explore the beauty of plants and discover how nature itself is a stunning work of art. We’ll use natural materials to craft unique creations, and learn how to see the artistic side of the world around us.

ART CARNIVAL
SATURDAY, JULY 26 @ 1PM
Step right up to the MRL Art Carnival and help celebrate the close of the Summer Reading Program! Create masterpieces at arts and crafts stations where participants of every age can unleash their creativity. Enjoy a fun, carnival atmosphere while engaging in hands-on activities, with projects ready to take home and display.