Summer at the Woodland Public Library runs from June 1 to August 3 and features many great programs and events for the whole family. 

The Woodland Public Library will kick off its summer reading program this Saturday, June 8 from 10 AM – 12 PM on the front lawn of the library. The free Summer Reading Kickoff will feature Pixie Tribe with a bubble party at 10 AM, along with Rec2Go, costumed guests, and more! Families can register for our summer reading program, play lawn games with Rec2Go, and meet some costumed characters. All ages are welcome. 

This year’s summer reading program theme is Adventure Begins at the Woodland Public Library: Read, Make, Explore. 

• Read – read at least five books this summer, which will help kids prevent the “Summer Slide” (losing ground gained during the school year).
• Make – Make something at a library event, in Square One, at home, or out and about in your community.
• Explore – Embrace new experiences, adventures, and learning over the summer by exploring the library, Woodland, and beyond. 

Prizes and end-of-summer raffle entries will be available for everyone who completes the program of reading five books, making five things, and exploring five places. Earned prizes can be picked up starting June 17 and will be available until September 30. Grand prize winnings must be claimed by September 30. Details and registration are available on the library’s website www.cityofwoodland.gov/library or at the library. 

Stop by the library for a paper log or use our online app, Beanstack, through our website to track your activities and books. Participants can earn badges starting June 1. Kids ages 4-11 can choose to log minutes instead of books if they use Beanstack.

We offer programming for every age!

Summer Lunch at the Library

Starting Monday, June 10, kids 18 and under can enjoy free summer lunch at the library, courtesy of Woodland Joint Unified School District, Monday through Friday from 12:00-12:30 PM on the library lawn. 

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 California State Library to add more activities around lunchtime.” 

Lunches must be eaten on site, and families are encouraged to bring a blanket to enjoy lunch under the trees on the lawn. Kids who read on the front lawn will get a free popsicle. Lawn activities will be available 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 1:00 PM in the Leake Room, Lego Club from 1:00-2:00 PM on Wednesdays in the children's room, and Make and Explore Thursdays from 1:00-2:00 PM in Square One, our makerspace. We will have visits from the Bohart Museum of Entomology, Bubblemania, Vitality Martial Arts, a fun 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 to 7-12 year-old kids and space is limited.

Growing Readers and Veggie Eaters; Family Storytime

Each Saturday at 9:00 AM, the library partners with the Woodland Farmers Market to provide a weekly Growing Readers and Veggie Eaters program. This program will feature free biweekly kids’ farmers markets when children will be given free Market Bucks to purchase produce from their own kid-sized farmstand, alternating each week with guided hands-on food-related activities to explore local produce.

Family storytime is held on the front lawn at 10:00 AM during the Farmers Market. Storytimes resume on Tuesday, June 11 with four storytimes a week.

Stay and Play

Stay and Play, a program geared towards children ages 0-5 and their caregivers, is back beginning June 13 for a six-week session on Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 AM. Each front lawn 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 Programs

Teens are invited to Teen Hangouts every Wednesday in June and July from 2:30-4:00 PM in the Leake Room where they can make fun projects, play video games, and just hang out. Teen Hangouts start Wednesday, June 19. Teen Hangouts will feature many different activities, including a Nailed It! Baking Challenge and a Water Party. A complete schedule of activities can be found on the library’s website.  

If your teen is looking for volunteer hours over the summer, they are welcome to join the Teen Summer Volunteer Program. Orientation will be held on June 4 and then again on June 18 from 4:00-5:00 PM in the Leake Room. Teens will also be able to participate in a Community Service Crafternoon every Tuesday from 2:30-4 PM in Square One, where they can also earn volunteer hours. All items made during that time will be donated.

Teens can also join the library every Thursday for Game Night. From 2:30-4:00 PM in the Leake Room, teens can play on the Nintendo Switch, VR headsets, board games, and more!

The Teen Advisory Board will host its Annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Festival on Wednesday, June 12 from 2:30-4 PM in the Leake Room and the Courtyard where there will be free food, crafts, and activities to help spread love.

Square One

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

The library encourages everyone to start their Adventure with the Woodland Public Library by taking advantage of our amazing free events, programs, and offerings. Come spend your summer reading, making, and exploring!