This year’s Summer Reading Program will begin on Monday, June 18 at 11:00 am when the Library welcomes the popular singing duo Gemini as our musical guest. This year, Gemini has added violinist Emily to their group and changed their name to Gemily (Gemini + Emily). The Trio of Gemily, San and Laz Slomovits of Gemini, plus San’s daughter Emily, has been a long time in the making. San and Emily Slomovits have been playing music together since Emily was a young child. San and brother Laz, as the duo Gemini, have been a highly popular folk act throughout Michigan and the United States since 1973, and Emily began joining them on stage when she was just eight years old. Emily is an accomplished violinist and has also developed a lovely and unique singing style. Together, their music features a range of traditional and contemporary folk, jazz and classical music, Broadway show tunes, and more. Following the performance, head down to Farmers Market for some light refreshments and a fun game of kick ball in the park. Everyone is welcome.
Once again, the Library will be presenting Summer Reading Programs for all ages. This year’s theme, “Libraries Rock!” will focus on music and reading for educational fun and entertainment. Kids ages 12 and under may register for the Reading Club or the Read-To-Me Club if they are not yet reading on their own. Teens and Tweens may participate in the Teen Read program while adults may join their own reading group. All participants will receive weekly prizes or incentives to keep reading throughout the summer. Registration for all of the Summer Reading Programs begins on Monday, June 18 at 9:00 am or you may register anytime throughout the summer.
Drop-In Summer Story Times are held on Mondays and Thursdays at 11:00 am from June 21 through August 2. No registration is necessary for Summer Story Times. This program is geared for ages 6 and under but everyone is welcome to attend one or both sessions. Story Times include books, music, movement, flannel board stories and more to encourage the love of reading in young children. Daycare centers may attend Summer Story Times but are asked to arrive early.
Big Truck and Emergency Vehicle Day returns on Friday, June 29 from 10:00 am to Noon. An annual event at Dexter District Library, we will host a large variety of trucks and emergency vehicles for children and adults of all ages to experience, rain or shine. The parking lot will be closed during this event to allow freedom to browse, tour and talk to the owners and operators of the wonderful machines that make our lives easier and safer. Bring your camera, there will be plenty of photo opportunities with the vehicles and our special guest Pete the Cat.
Drummunity returns to the Library on Friday, July 6 at 11:00 am. Dexter resident, Lori Fithian, has been facilitating drum circles and leading workshops for many years. Her program has been a favorite at the Library. A Drummunity circle is a word Lori invented for the community-building that happens when people come together around a circle of drums. You won’t believe your ears when you hear the group playing together – on everything from hand drums, pickle buckets, salad bowls to muffin tins. Musical experience is not necessary. This is a high energy, interactive, fun and empowering event for all ages.
On Wednesday, July 11 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, the Library will host our yearly Ice Cream Social at Farmers Market for Dexter District Library cardholders. Show your Dexter District Library card and receive a free ice cream cone or cup from the Joe and Rosie Creamery. Head down to the lower level meeting room where we will have a variety of crafts available for teens and kids of all ages.
On Friday, June 13 at 11:00 am, A2 Magic with Jeff Wawezaszek presents “Read Like a Rock Star Greatest Hits Magic Show”. Reading goes platinum as Jeff combines fresh material with his top ten, solid gold, family-favorite magic routines. Lots of fun and audience participation for all ages.
PaleoJoe visits the Library on Friday, July 20 at 11:00 am. Dressing the part of a “Digger” he introduces animals, plants and creatures that have been extinct for millions of years. His high-energy program brings life to these creatures of long ago. Joseph Kchodl, creator of the popular Dinosaur Detective Club series of chapter books, really does dig up dinosaurs. He thrills the audience with tales of the prehistoric and brings dinosaurs to life with a T Rex tooth, a Velociraptor skull, dinosaur puppets and a variety of amazing fossils. PaleoJoe is a 45 minute program for ages 4 and up. Registration is not required.
Friday, July 27 will be a busy day at the Library. The Secretary of State Mobile Office will be in the Dexter District Library parking lot to serve area customers from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Customers may renew their driver’s license or register to vote, quickly and easily, right on the spot. Other services offered by the Mobile Office include instant titles, address changes, signing up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and much more. Residents can also ask questions about services. At 11:00 am, kids of all ages are invited to the Alex and Friends Puppet Show. Get ready for jokes, stories, silliness and even prizes with this audience participation puppet show. Stay after the show for refreshments and a Meet and Greet with these zany Muppet-style puppets. Registration is not required, everyone is welcome.
The Youth Department at Dexter District Library has once again planned a wide variety of fun, educational and creative programs to help kids of all ages fill their summer days including recently released movies, book clubs for all ages, live animal workshops, Makerspace, Lego Club, rock painting, DIY crafts, magic and manga drawing classes and much more. Visit our website for details at www.dexter.lib.mi.us as registration may be required to attend some of these events.
The Summer Reading Program Wrap-Up takes place on Friday, August 3 at 11:00 am when “The Music Lady” Bev Meyer presents The Music Lady Jukebox. Join us for a fun-filled hour of live music, singing, dancing and audience participation. Children of all ages are welcome. Following the program, Marc “The Balloon Meister” will be at Farmers Market making balloon animals for everyone. Refreshments will be served.
If you’ve met your summer reading goal, you can pick up a book bag full of snacks, school supplies and surprises beginning July 30. Don’t forget to enter the final prize drawing which will be held on Monday, August 13.
For more information stop by the Library and pick up all the Summer Reading Program fliers and calendars or visit our website at www.dexter.lib.mi.us
