Color Our World: 2025 Summer Reading Program

Color Our World, the 2025 Summer Reading Program, will run June 7-August 17. Albany County Public Library will partner with Smile Doctors to offer a summer reading incentive program for all ages. Participants can stop by the library on or after June 7 to sign up for the free program.

The Summer Reading Program is for all ages. ACPL and Smile Doctors will provide a reading challenge, where children, teens, and adults can reach goals over the summer. Participants will use a reading log to track their progress.

How It Works:

  • For kids up through sixth grade, you can cross off an icon on the reading log for every 30 minutes of reading or listening.
  • For teens and adults, an icon can be crossed off for every 60 minutes of reading or listening.
  • After 10 icons, participants can bring their reading log to the library for a small prize.
  • When you reach 20 icons, you will receive a free book.
  • For each icon crossed off, you can fill out a raffle ticket for a big prize, provided by Smile Doctors. A full reading log equals 30 raffle tickets!
  • There is no limit on the number of reading logs for participants, but the free book is available on the first reading log only.

Even babies can join in the fun! Babies will receive a Summer Reading kit to use for the full summer. This contains a board book, scarf, shaker egg, and a calendar of early literacy activities.

The Summer Reading Program is especially important for school-aged youth, as they often experience a lapse in learning, commonly referred to as the “summer slide.” Summer Reading Programs help motivate children and teens to keep reading, learning, and exploring while they are out of school. The Summer Reading Program also encourages a love of reading and interest in the library and books.

Make sure to check ACPL’s event calendar and watch social media for program locations. Due to construction, many programs will take place at Washington Park this year, instead of at ACPL. Locations are noted on the events below.

With this year’s art theme for Summer Reading, ACPL recommends wearing clothing that can be worn near paint and other art supplies.

The Summer Reading Program will start with a fun kick off on June 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington Park, Shelter #1. Bring the whole family for button and magnet making, games, art, and activities. Smile Doctors will be on hand to show off the raffle prizes. The event will also include balloon artist, Cecilia Villar, and face painter, Allison Wagg.

Summer Reading programming will run June 7 to August 16. Participants can enjoy the reading challenge through August 17. Raffle winners will be notified the week of August 18. More information and a full schedule are available on the ACPL website and on social media.

FREE SUMMER READING PROGRAM EVENTS

Summer Reading Program Kick Off: June 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington Park, Shelter #1

Come to the park, have some fun, and sign up for Summer Reading! Enjoy art, games, face painting, balloon animals, and more!

 

Book Babies: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at ACPL 

Books, rhymes, and songs for ages birth to 2. Sessions will start June 10.

 

Stories @ the Park: Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in Washington Park

Stories @ the Park is geared toward families and pre-school-aged children. Sessions will start June 12.

 

Toddler Storytime: Fridays at 10:30 a.m. at ACPL

For ages 3-5 and their families. Sessions will start June 13.

 

Kids Lego Club: Saturdays at 1 p.m. at ACPL

For kids in grades K-6th. Build and create with Lego!

 

Storywalks®: Located around the exterior of the Laramie branch of the public library.

Come walk and read a new story every month.

 

YAK!: Thursdays at 4 p.m. at ACPL

For grades 4th-6th. Join us every week for crafts, games, art, activities, and more.

 

Preschool Playtime: Saturdays at 10 a.m. at ACPL

Preschool-aged activities to support development for children ages 3-5.

 

Read with a Ranger: June 17, July 22, & August 5 at 2 p.m. at Washington Park, Shelter #1

Stories, activities, and snacks with our friends at Wyoming State Parks.

 

Teen 360 Board Games: June 10, June 24, July 1, July 29, & August 5 at 2 p.m. at ACPL

For grades 7th-12th.

 

Seed Planting with 4H Extension: Tuesday, June 10 at 2 p.m. at Washington Park, Otto Dahl Shelter

A fun seed planting class for kids to kick off your summer fun.

 

Mad About Hula Hoops: Friday, June 13 at 3 p.m. at Washington Park, Shelter #2

Join us for a fun hula hoop fitness program for kids!

 

Touch a Truck with ALBY, the Bookmobile: Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Laramie Recreation Center

Stop by to see ALBY and to get a free book!

 

Art in the Park with the UW Art Museum: June 24 at 2 p.m. at Washington Park, Shelter #1

This free kids event will includes activities such as: cyanotypes, watercolor painting, and suncatchers.

 

Spray Bottle Art: July 8 at 2 p.m. in Washington Park, Otto Dahl Shelter

Kids can grab a spray bottle and have fun making art.

 

Rocky Mountain Puppets: July 21 at 2 p.m. at Washington Park, Bandshell

Meghan Casey presents Prism Break, a fun kids event with puppets.

 

Process Art with Local Artist Tara Pappas

July 24 at 1 p.m. in Washington Park, Shelter #1

Join us to design, decorate, and fly your own kite!

July 29 at 1 p.m. in Washington Park, Shelter #1

Join us for beaded bubble wands! Create your own wand and colorful bubble container.

 

The Magic Bookcase: July 31 at 2 p.m. in Washington Park, Bandshell

This free kids magic show will feature Wyoming magician Byron Grey.

 

Summer Reading Bash: Foam Party

Sunday, August 17 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Smile Doctors parking lot (2710 Grand Ave.)

Ann Lincoln is back with a hilarious, fun, and awesome foam party! Bring the kiddos for some fun in the sun, with lots of foam. Kids will get wet, so we recommend wearing a swimsuit and bringing a towel. Don’t forget to wear shoes and sunscreen. This event is sponsored by the ACPL Foundation and Smile Doctors.

 

Bookmobile Stops

Kiwanis Park: Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Undine Park: Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Out of Town Visits on Thursdays (check online for locations)

Washington Park: Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.