The Woodland Public Library will kick off its summer reading program on Saturday, June 7 at a free, family-friendly event from 10 AM – 12 PM on the front lawn featuring Pixie Tribe with a bubble party, costumed guests, and more! Attendees can register for our summer reading program, play lawn games, and meet some costumed characters. All ages are welcome. 

This year’s summer reading theme is Level Up at the Woodland Public Library: The Wizard’s Journey.

• Read – The goal is to have all participants read each week this summer, which will help kids prevent the “Summer Slide,” losing ground gained in school over the year.
• Attend – Attend and explore various library events or our Makerspace, Square One. Stop by on “Sticker Drop Saturdays” to get a new set of weekly tracking stickers, and exclusive Saturday fun. Bonus raffle tickets will be given out every Saturday during the summer.
• Earn Rewards – Lastly, earn rewards throughout the Wizard’s Journey with raffle tickets, free books, and other fun prizes! Go for The Gold by finishing the Journey and earning a GOLDEN ticket into the grand prize raffle. 

There is a program for every age, prizes, and end-of-summer raffle entries for everyone who completes the program. Earned prizes can be picked up starting June 23 and will be available until August 2. Grand prizes will be announced in mid-August and must be claimed by September 5. Details are available on our website www.cityofwoodland.gov/library or at the library. Stop by the front desk for a paper log to track your visits and reading activity. 

Read on for all of this summer’s programs and activities:

Free Summer Lunch

Starting on Monday, June 9, kids ages 18 and under can enjoy free summer lunch on the library lawn, courtesy of WJUSD, weekdays from 12 – 12:30 PM. Library Director Greta Galindo says, “This lunch partnership allows us to support children nutritionally as well as academically during summer when school services are not available. This year we are also benefitting from a Lunch at the Library grant through the State Library to add more activities around lunchtime.” Lunches must be eaten on site, and families are encouraged to bring a blanket to enjoy our lawn area. Kids who read on the front lawn will get a free popsicle. There will be lawn activities available as well, so families can entertain themselves after lunch and before other library programs. 

After-Lunch Programming

After-lunch programming for kids includes special events with a Tween Program on Mondays, performers on Tuesdays at 1 PM, Lego Club at 1 PM on Wednesdays, and Make and Explore Thursdays from 1 – 2 PM in the Leake Room. We will have visits from the Bohart Museum of Entomology, Vitality Martial Arts, a music show by Andy Z, and a presentation on bats on various Tuesdays. On Make and Explore Thursdays, kids can come and try out a boat building challenge, marble run, pizza box s’mores, and more. Activities are geared towards 7–12-year-olds and space is limited.

Farmers Market & “Veggie Eaters” Program

On Saturdays, the library partners with the Woodland Farmers Market to provide a weekly Growing Readers and Veggie Eaters program, various Saturdays at 9 AM. This program will feature free biweekly kids’ farmers markets, alternating each week with guided hands-on food related activities to explore local produce. Family storytime is held on the front lawn at the Farmer’s Market at 10 AM. Storytimes resume on Tuesday, June 10 with four storytimes a week.

Activities and the full scheduled lineup is available on the library’s website.

Stay & Play 

Stay and Play, a program geared towards children ages 0-5 and their caregivers, is coming back beginning June 12 for an eight-week session every Thursday on the front lawn from 9:30 – 10:30 AM. Each session will include snacks, an opportunity for caregivers in the community to connect, and emphasize the importance of play for little ones. Water play will be present.

Teen Activities

Teens are invited to Teen Hangouts on Wednesdays starting June 11 from 2:30 – 4 PM in the Leake Room where they can make fun projects, play video games, and hang out. There will be various themed activities including a Nailed It! Baking Challenge and a Dress to Impress Party. The complete schedule can be found on the library’s website.  

If teens are looking for volunteer hours over the summer, they are welcome to join the Teen Summer Volunteer Program. Orientation will be held on June 2, 5, and 16 from 4 – 5 PM in the Leake Room. 

Teen College Exploration Camp will run from June 23 - July 3 from 3 – 5 PM in the Teen Area. This engaging summer program aims to empower high school students with the tools and knowledge they need for their college journey. Through interactive workshops, students will explore college pathways, discover career interests, and receive guided support on writing standout UC PIQs (Personal Insight Questions). It’s the perfect opportunity to get ahead, get inspired, and get ready for the future, hosted by UC Davis Early Academic Outreach Program. 

Teens can also join Teen Craft Corner on Mondays from 2:30 – 4 PM in Square One, the Secret Society of Library Teens on Tuesdays from 2:30 – 4 PM in the (secret) Leake Room Courtyard, Teens in the Kitchen on Thursdays from 2:30 – 4 PM in the Leake Room, and Game Night every Friday from 2:30 – 4 PM in the Leake Room.

The Teen Advisory Board will host its Annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Festival on Wednesday, June 11 from 2:30 – 4 PM in the Leake Room and the Courtyard. The annual festival will feature free food, crafts, and activities to help spread love! 

Bookmobile

Our bookmobile will be out and about throughout the summer with its own set of programs and own Summer Reading Challenge, Reading Dragons! Be sure to catch the schedule at the library’s website. 

Square One Makerspace

Square One is open for anyone wanting to stretch their creativity or learn how to make something. Stop by and make a project or learn a new skill. More information is available on our website at www.cityofwoodland.gov/library.

The library encourages everyone to “Level Up” by taking advantage of our amazing free events, programs, and offerings. Come join us on the Wizard’s Journey!