Summer Reading Experience kicks off at Flathead County libraries
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 2 weeks, 6 days AGO
Summer Reading Experience at Flathead County Library kicks off June 16-18 with a Play Expo in Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Bigfork.
Sponsored by Flathead Library Foundation, Summer Reading Experience is a free program that encourages youth to enjoy books and discover new adventures all summer long.
This year’s programs are all about learning through exploration, with an emphasis on STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities.
Children and teens can pick up a game board at any Flathead County Library location, that features Bingo cards with reading challenges and hands-on activities, as well as a list of summer programming at the library.
The library is holding drop-in events as a sneak preview of Flathead County Library's summer activities at Depot Park in Kalispell on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; at the Columbia Falls Library on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and at the Bigfork Library on June 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those attending can grab a take-home game board. Events are for infants through children entering fifth grade.
New this year is a collaborative art project for teens that will take place in the Teen Zone at the Kalispell Library. Starting June 15, teens entering grades sixth through 12 are invited to help design and decorate a human‑sized coral reef made entirely from craft materials. Teens can drop in anytime during regular operating hours June 15-30, and add a piece, create a creature, or build their own coral formation.
In addition, the following teen workshops will launch in July: Buttered Noodles, Mini Brands at Home, Glowing Coral Reef Pasta, and Robotic Jellyfish Lamp. Workshops will be available at all Flathead County Library locations in Kalispell, Bigfork, and Columbia Falls, with the exception of Jellyfish Lamp workshop, which will take place only at the Kalispell library. Space is limited. Seats are available first come, first serve. Online registration is required for the Jellyfish Lamp Workshop at: bit.ly/Jellyfish-Lamp-Workshop.
For details about Flathead County Library’s summer workshops for children and teens, call 758-5822 or visit flatheadcountylibrary.org/programs/summer-experience. Summer Reading Experience concludes Aug. 15.