Summer Reading 2025
All ages are invited to participate in Clinton Public Library's Summer Reading program! Win prizes, attend awesome events, and read! This year's theme is LEVEL UP AT YOUR LIBRARY. Whether you’re playing with STEM concepts or gamifying your reading logs, learning to play chess or how to code video games, Level Up at Your Library reminds us that libraries are not just a space for knowledge, they are a space for fun!
Quick Links
FOR ADULTS! (18+)
Clinton Reading Challenge
May 26 - September 1, 2025
Click HERE or on the image above to get started!
FOR KIDS & TEENS! (Ages 0-17)
LEVEL UP AT YOUR LIBRARY!
June 1 - August 2, 2025
Congratulations! You Made It!
Completed logs are due to the Library by Wednesday, August 6. Be sure to enter all your tickets into the prize drawings of your choice!
If you read on 5 of the 7 days of each week (try to shoot for 20 minutes!), you earn a small prize and a ticket to place in the drawing for a big prize. You can also get one ticket for each event attended (10 max). Track your total minutes read for the chance to win a special grand prize for reading the most!
Questions?
Please ask youth library staff member in person or email childrens@clintonpubliclibrary.us.
READING DRAGONS!
Reading Dragons are collectible playable cards featuring mythical creatures like dragons, unicorns, griffins and more. Track the time you spend reading in 30 minute increments to earn cards, then play with your friends! This program appeals to kids who enjoy Pokémon, virtual pets, trading card games, and mythical creatures.
How It Works
- Visit the library to earn a reading tracker, three starter cards, and a how-to-play card.
- Mark off one box on your tracker for every 30 minutes you read.
- When you complete a row of four boxes, you can return to the library to pick out a dragon family to collect. You will get four matching cards featuring different ages in that dragon family: egg, baby, teen, and adult.
- Work at your own pace to earn all of the cards! If you don't complete the reading tracker by the end of July, you can keep on reading until you earn all the rewards.
How to Play
To play, you and a friend each choose one card secretly, keeping it hidden so your friend can't see what you chose. Then count to 3 and both of you flip over your cards to see who wins.
Fire beats Leaf. Leaf beats Water. Water beats Fire. If you have the same color, you tie.
YEAR-ROUND YOUTH EVENTS!
For a full calendar view, visit our Programs & Events page.
If you have privacy concerns or are not comfortable with photos being taken of you or your child at an event, please let a staff member know.
Color Guide: Kids (0-3) | PreK | Kids K-6 | Teen | Family
All-Ages Chess Club
Where Every Move Matters!
1st & 3rd Saturdays | 2:00PM - 3:00PM (may go longer) | Youth Dept
Welcome to the All-Ages Chess Club, a vibrant community where chess enthusiasts of all skill levels come together to share their passion for the game! Players of all ages—children, teens, adults, and seniors—can connect over the chessboard. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned grandmaster, our club provides a friendly and inclusive environment for everyone.
Creative Explorers
Wednesdays at 3:00PM | Youth Dept
Join us for an afternoon of play and learning! The Creative Explorers (formerly Afternoon Adventures) program offers a space for children to create, explore, and discover. Through fun and interactive programs, we aim to provide patrons of all abilities and stages of learning with the opportunity to learn about the world around them in a hands-on way.
Caregivers are encouraged to stay in the building and participate with their children. Children under the age of 8 are not to be left alone in the building without a caretaker at least 14 years of age.
Note: Due to special programs, Creative Explorers will not be held June 25, July 23, & Aug 6.
LEGO Club
2nd & 4th Saturdays | 2:00PM - 3:00PM | Youth Dept
Join us on 2nd and 4th Saturdays in an all-ages LEGO club. Show off your building skills, learn some tricks of the trade, complete a mini build challenge, or enjoy some open building time with buckets of bricks.
Storytime
Wednesdays & 1st/3rd Saturdays at 10:30AM | Youth Dept
Storytime is offered continually, with breaks occurring in late December and August. Join us for fun, stories, songs, puppet shows, and a craft to take home!
Note: Storytime will be held at Riverview Pool on June 18, July 16, & Aug 13.
Vibe Out
Fridays | 3:30PM - 5:00PM | 2nd Floor (unless noted)
Teens, join us on Fridays for anime, crafts, and snacks!
- August 8 - Planner Decorating
- August 15 - LEGO Building
Vibe Out will return on September 19th! Fall activities will be posted on the regular programs & events page.
Wiggle Time
Tuesdays at 10:30AM | Youth Dept
We will have songs, toys, and bubbles for you and your baby or toddler to interact! This is a great chance for kids and caregivers to socialize with each other and their peers. This program is suited for ages 0-3.
SPECIAL YOUTH EVENTS!
Summer Reading events are held in addition to regularly occurring events and special programs.
For a full calendar view, visit our Programs & Events page.
If you have privacy concerns or are not comfortable with photos being taken of you or your child at an event, please let a staff member know.
Color Guide: PreK | Kids K-6 | Teen | Family | Online
Anime Club!
Mondays, June 23 - August 11 | 5:30PM - 6:45PM | 2nd Floor
Join us for Anime Club! Each week on Monday, we'll be watching a couple episodes from different genres, and enjoying some delicious Japanese snacks and drinks.
- August 11 - Action and Adventure
Pool Storytime
Wednesday, August 13 | 11:00AM - 12:30PM | Riverview Pool
Come chill with us in the wading pool and splash pad for storytime, songs, and swimming! Registration is not required this year!
Park Night
Wed, August 13 | 5:30PM - 7:30PM | Clinton Park (301 S 4th St)
Theme: Back to School
Join us for an evening of outdoor fun! Enjoy yard games, sports activities, music, and more for free. This family-friendly event is organized by the City of Clinton’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Clinton Public Library. Park Nights will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at different parks in Clinton this summer.
Big Summer Blowout!
Friday, August 15 | 6:30PM - 8:30PM | Riverview Park
Yoo-hoo! Join us in celebrating the end of summer with a Glo Party! Music, glow sticks, foam cannons, and the Rivals Hot Shot Wagon! All ages are welcome.
Storytime w/ McCarty’s Corner Farm!
Saturday, August 23 | 10:00AM - 12:00PM | Clinton Park (301 S 4th St)
This program was originally scheduled for July 26th, and was rescheduled to August 23rd due to inclement weather.
Join us for a Storytime in Clinton Park with McCarty’s Corner Farm and some of their alpacas and goats. Listen to some stories, make a craft, and feed the animals!
Park Movie Night
Friday, August 29 | Gates open at 7pm / Movie starts at dusk | Jurgensen Soccer Complex (1891 Harrison Dr)
Join Parks & Rec and the Clinton Public Library at Jurgensen Soccer Complex for a movie night! The movie (title TBD) will start at dusk. Before we watch the movie, come early starting at 7pm to play fun yard games. Don't forget your lawn chairs and blankets for a cozy movie experience. Concessions will be available for purchase. Entry is $10 per car.
OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS!
Youth Event Champion | Donation range: $200+
First Gateway Credit Union
Wagner Pharmacy
Wa Tan Ye
Beckwith Commercial Roofing
Clausen Companies
Sterling Federal Bank
Rotary
Book Wizard | Donation range: $100+
Thalia Clement
Aegis
Citizens First Bank
Clinton National Bank
Clinton Printing
Kadavy Orthodontics