Summer Reading is Fayette County Public Library's biggest season! It's always exciting to see and meet old and new friends during this time. Long-time library users are here, and new users visiting Fayetteville from many places around the world, get a chance to see why we are a big deal!
There are many benefits to readers in a summer reading program. A summer reading program:
We aim to make summer reading a joyful experience for all! Summer Reading is not just for children, but tweens, teens, and adults.... It's for everyone! This year's theme is "Adventure Begins at Your Library". There will be fun activities such as: Storytime, puppet shows, 1000 Books before kindergarten, chess, book clubs, reading challenges, scavenger hunts, live animal adventures, 3D Printing workshops, afternoon movies, adult crafting activities, and more! We encourage the entire community to register to be a part of Fayette County Public Library's Summer Reading Program.
The Summer Reading Kick-off is scheduled Monday, June 3rd, 3pm. Registration is through Beanstack and on-site. Beanstack is a digital platform that motivates reading https://fayettelibrary.beanstack.org. Participants will be able to track the number of books read and earn badges that will go toward fun-filled prizes.
Therefore, summer isn't a time to let your brain drain! Keep your mind active, stay busy, and we hope to meet you at the library this summer because "Adventures Begins at Your Library!
Michelle Bennett-Copeland, Fayette County Public Library Director
Storytime Together
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00
If you’re ready for a story, clap your hands! Join Ms. Charlotte, Ms. Katie, and Ms. Jess every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings in June* and July** at 10:00 for Storytime Together. We’ll sing songs, read books, do some bounces, and have a great time together! Stick around after storytime for playtime and socializing in the children's department and on the patio. The Tuesday and Wednesday storytimes are identical, so you choose which day (or both!) works best for you! The activities and songs we do during Storytime Together are geared towards children ages 0 - 5 and their parent or caregiver.
*The library will be closed on Wednesday, June 19.
**We will not have storytime on July 30th or 31st.
Monday Movies
Mondays are movie days at the library. From June 10th - July 22nd, join us in the children’s department every Monday at 10:00 for kid-friendly screenings of some of our favorite recent releases and old-school favs!
Toddler Build It!
Starting June 6th and continuing through July 18th, come to the library every Thursday* from 9:00 - 10:30 for Toddler Build It! During this open-play session, you and your toddler can build and create with Kinetic Sand, building blocks, and other play-based learning activities.
*The library will be closed on Thursday, July 4th.
Scavenger Hunts
Throughout the summer, we’ll have various themed scavenger hunts in the children’s department. Find all the clues, unravel the riddle, and claim a prize from the treasure box! If your child is too young to crack the riddle, they can still join in! Just help them spot as many hidden pictures as you can find together. Let the adventure begin!
Early Learners Summer Reading Challenge
Adventure begins at your Library Summer Reading Challenge! Summer is a great time for you to bond with your little one(s) and help them develop a love for reading. Our summer reading program runs June 3 – July 29. During this time, we encourage you to make frequent visits to the library and to read together! When you sign up for the summer reading program, you’ll be challenged to read 100 books with your child over the summer (and you will be rewarded with yummy prizes and fun craft projects along the way!) Once you and your child have read 100 books, you’ve completed the program! What do you do after you’ve reached your 100-book goal? Keep reading! Every additional 20 books will earn you another yummy prize!
Summer Reading Calendar for ages 6-12
Summer Take & Make Craft Kits
Your reading goal for the summer is 100 books. To help encourage you along the way, visit the library at each 20-book increment to receive a yummy snack prize. And as an added incentive, when you come in to get your snack, you can also grab a take and make craft kit. Each kit is filled with the supplies and instructions needed to make fun craft projects at home. There are 5 different-themed take and make craft kits that you can earn over the summer as you work toward your goal of reading 100 books. Crafting helps develop fine motor skills, boosts counting and pattern recognition, teaches shapes and colors, develops creativity, and builds confidence...with the added bonus of quality time together! Take & Make Craft kits are for children ages 0 - 5 who are participating in the Early Learner’s Summer Reading Challenge. Because our snacks and craft bags are an incentive to keep reading throughout the summer, only one yummy treat and craft kit can be redeemed per library visit.
Adventure begins...when you help others
Let’s come together to help others! We’ve partnered with three local non-profits that are doing amazing things in Fayette County: Bloom, Fayette Samaritans, and Royal Animal Refuge. All summer long the library will be a drop-off location for donations to these organizations. Our goal is to donate 100 items to each group by the end of summer reading (July 29). You can help us reach this goal by bringing an item or items from the donation lists when you visit us over the summer.
Summer Sticker Art
Can you discover the mystery image by the end of summer? Each time you check out an item, you’ll get a sticker and instructions on where to put it on the grid. If enough people check out books and participate, an image will begin to appear! Sticker pixel art uses multi-colored square stickers placed on a grid to create an image. It’s a fun, community-building activity for all ages!
*If you have a group/ school/ childcare center/ summer camp, and would like to participate with library events, please contact the library a minimum of two weeks in advance to reserve an activity. Unfortunately, we’re unable to accommodate large groups wi th our regular scheduled storytime/ craft programs. We hope to hear from you soon. For more information, please
contact: library@fayettecountyga.gov or 770-461-8841.
Monday, June 3, 3 p.m.
You won’t believe this comedic, sleight-of-hand magic show. Get ready to laugh out loud and gasp in wonder! Arrive early or stay late to get signed up for this year’s summer reading program.
Thursday, June 13th at 10:00am – 5 p.m.
Gear up for a wild animal extravaganza! Dive into the thrilling world of mammals, reptiles, and birds while meeting some real-life animal celebrities.
Thursday, July 11 at 3 p.m.
Travel to the Polynesian Islands without leaving the library! Staff off watching traditional dances from Tahiti and Hawaii, then join the fun with hula lessons and cultural activities!
Thursday July 25 at 10 a.m.
One-of-a-kind puppet show with animals and tightropes and cannons, oh my!
Let the adventure begin!
Monday, July 29 at 3 p.m.
Celebrate the end of a great summer with a hilarious and amazing magic show! Be sure to turn in your summer reading logs and pick up your final treats!
Mondays June 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22
Time: 10 a.m.
Mondays are movie days at the library! From June 10- July 22, join us in the children’s department every Monday at 10 a.m. for kid-friendly screenings of some of our favorite recent releases and old school favs!
Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June* and July*
Time: 10 a.m.
Join us as we sing songs, read books, do some bounces, and have a great time together! Stick around after storytime for playtime and socializing in the children’s department and on the patio. The both events are identical so choose one day or attend both!
* We will NOT have storytime on June 19, July 30, or July 31.
Wednesday, June 5
Time: 11 a.m.
This class will boost children’s self-confidence in any social situation by teaching them the proper form of strong handshake as well as the ABCs of meeting, greeting and saying goodbye.
* Registration required
Fridays
June 7*, 28**
July 12*, 19**
Time: 11 a.m.
* Ages 6-10
** Ages 11-15
Did you know that nutrition can also be delicious? Come learn how to make some simple, healthy recipes with local nutritionist Nora Pullen.
***Registration Required
Saturdays
June 8, July 13
Time: 10 a.m.
Come play chess at the library! A chess coach will be present to teach beginners how to play the game and to offer tips to improve your game to more advanced players.
Saturdays
June 22, July 20
Time: 2 p.m.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been crocheting for years, our crochet club is the perfect place to practice your craft!
* Registration is required if you don’t own a crochet hook
* We are unable to accommodate groups at our regularly scheduled programs. Group programs are scheduled as staffing and time allow. Please email us at library@fayettecountyga.gov for more information.
* Throughout the summer we’ll have various themed scavenger hunts in the children’s department! Find all the clues, unravel the riddle, and claim a prize from the treasure
For more information please email us or call 770-461-8841
1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month 11:00am-12:00pm (Luna)
2nd Saturday of the month 11:00am-12:00pm (Gracie)
Many children are motivated to read out loud when they have a canine reading partner. Especially when they’re as patient and kind as Luna and Gracie. Improves reading fluency, confidence, and stamina.
Please call the children’s desk to register. Spaces fill up quick for this popular program!
Contact/Info: Ms. Katie Rees, Children's Librarian, krees@fayettecountyga.gov, 770-305-5351 or
Ms. Charlotte Stargell, Children's Assistant, cstargell@fayettecountyga.gov, 770-305-5328,
or the Main Desk, 770-461-8841 for more information.
Follow Fayette County Public Library Facebook & Instagram pages!
Website: fayettecountyga.gov – Library
For more timely information about our programs, please follow "Fayette County Public Library" on Facebook and Instagram. There you will find announcements about upcoming programs and other important information about what's going on at the library!
Our library staff is always happy to help you find books and materials and make suggestions for your reading. Our PINES system allows you to place electronic holds for specific titles, and you can also call us at the library to assist you with this.
We also have a wonderful collection of electronic resources available for all ages. This includes our reading challenge program, Beanstack which allows you to keep a record of books read, time read, and more. Children 0-5 can take part of 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program through Beanstack. Children 5 and older can track their favorite reads on the Best Reading List Ever Challenge. In addition to these ongoing challenges, we also have seasonal ones as well
All About Beanstack Flyer (PDF)
Online Resources for Parents and Children (PDF)
1000 Books Before Kindergarten Flyer (PDF)
These lists, published annually, are great tools for finding new books for children of all ages.
Fayette County Administration
140 Stonewall Avenue West
Suite 100
Fayetteville, Georgia 30214