Summer Reading Club

Welcome

Summer Reading Club 2023: Camp DCDL

May 30 – August 12

Hey there, campers! Welcome to the Summer Reading Club! At the Delaware County District Library, readers of all ages are invited to explore the fun of Summer Reading Club. Participants ages 0-17 are welcome to join the Youth Summer Reading Club, and those ages 18 and older can join the Adult Summer Reading Club.

This year’s theme is Camp DCDL! Read this summer and uncover great adventures through the wide world of reading. Join us for stories and programs with a special focus on the great outdoors and the creatures who live there. Explore all the fun of Camp DCDL — including tracking, prizes and special programs — by clicking through the tabs at the top of this page.

Partners

Youth Club

Kids ages 0-17 are encouraged to read 12 hours throughout the summer, collecting prizes once they reach 6- and 12-hour benchmarks.

Tracking

Pick up your reading log from your local library branch, from our summer “Check it Out” newsletter or download below. Whether you like books, magazines, comics, eBooks, audiobooks, or being read to by a family member or a friend, remember that it all counts toward your summer reading total!

No matter how you read, keep track of every 15 minutes. You can log it on your DCDL Summer Reading tracking sheet, or simply write it down on a piece of paper. You may be on summer break, but reading 15 minutes a day will keep your reading skills sharp and make going back to school easier.

If you need reading suggestions, try these lists for different ages!

Babies & Toddlers	Beginning Readers	4th Grade
Preschool	1st Grade	5th Grade
Kindergarten	2nd Grade	6th Grade
	3rd Grade

Prizes

Prizes may be picked up from May 30 – August 19. Summer Reading Club and bonus prizes vary and will be limited as supplies are available.

6-Hour Prize: Be prepared for every camping adventure with a cool keyring flashlight! Attach it to your backpack or keep it in a pocket. You can choose your favorite color from those shown at the right.
12-Hour Prize: A book of your choice to keep from the Library and the Friends of the Delaware County District Library.

*Limit one six-hour and 12-hour prize per reader, please.

Summer Letterbox Adventure: Our friends at Preservation Parks will continue their park system scavenger hunt. Register at their link, collect your prize at any DCDL location.

Adult Club

Adults are encouraged to read books or attend library programs. Any combination of four books read or programs attended will earn participants an entry into our prize drawing. Enter as many times as you like — the more you read or attend, the better your chances to win!

Tracking

Pick up your bookmark reading log from your local library branch, inside our summer “Check it Out” newsletter or click the button below to download and print a copy yourself.

Track the books you read or programs you attend. Any combination of four books or programs will earn participants an entry into this summer’s grand prize drawing!

There’s no limit on entries, so keep reading and attending library programs all summer long!

Prize Drawing

Adults finishing their reading/program challenge will earn an entry into our prize drawing. Any combination of four books read or programs attended will earn an entry; complete as many bookmarks as you like! Winners will have a set of two DCDL camping mugs mailed to their home.

Programs/Schedule

We have lots of special programming for Summer Reading Club! Scroll through this week’s events below to find out what’s happening, or sign up now to get our weekly events bulletin delivered directly to your inbox!

Special Events

Join us for all the outdoor fun you can handle this summer! Sign your kids up now for an opportunity to learn how to play Loog guitar (perfect for campfire singalongs!), and be sure to visit us at Medieval Faire on June 17!

Learn to play the Loog Guitar!

Friday, June 2 @ 2 pm | Delaware Main Library

There’s nothing better than singing songs around a campfire, and there’s no better accompaniment than a guitar! Now, children ages 6-8 can learn to play on an instrument that’s just the right size for them.

The Loog Guitar is a simple 3-stringed instrument that encourages the exploration of music with hands-on experiences. Loog guitars are provided; pre-registration is required.

Another session will be offered on Thursday, July 20 at 5:45 pm.

Fantastic Fairy Tales Puppet Show

Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 11 AM – 3 PM | Liberty Branch Library

Flump, the royal court jester, has accidentally overheard a plot to turn the king into a mouse! Join Flump as he entertains the crowd until he can discover a way to stop Glistor’s sinister scheme.This interactive puppet show is great for all ages, but especially Kindergarten through 4th grade.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Madcap Puppets are nationally recognized for engaging and original children’s theatre productions, as well as in-school educational programs that include performances, workshops, and residencies.

Medieval Faire

Saturday, June 17, 2023, 11 AM – 3 PM | Ostrander Branch Library

Step into a world of history and fantasy at our annual Medieval Faire!

Horses, jousting games, traditional craftsmen, and a Medieval marketplace await you at this year’s Medieval Faire. New this year, celebrate Vikings with face painting and making your own Viking shield!

Enjoy crafts and games for all ages, as well as music throughout the event. Costumes are encouraged, so come in your best medieval garb and join the fun!

Explore the Great Outdoors at Alum Creek State Park

Thursday, July 13 @ 5:30 pm AND Thursday, August 10 @ 2 pm| Alum Creek State Park

Alum Creek is a wonderful park and campground, and it’s so close to home!

On July 13, meet a DCDL Librarian and an Alum State Park Naturalist at the campground amphitheater to learn more about pond life. Then things will get wet, maybe a even little slimy, as the kids explore a nearby pond. Come prepared with shoes and clothes you can get wet in!

Join us again at the amphitheater on August 10 to learn about and meet a snake, box turtle, and other Ohio reptiles. Families are invited to stay and explore Alum Creek State Park after the program.

Summer Letterbox Adventure

Are you ready to explore the parks this summer? Click to register for Preservation Parks’ annual Summer Letterbox Adventure, or pick up a booklet at the Library. Your guidebook will be full of clues that will take you on an exploration of 8 different parks around Delaware County. Prizes will be available from June 15 to September 12, while supplies last. Prize pickup is at any Delaware County District Library or Deer Haven Park.

Teen Volunteer Drop-In

Need volunteer hours? Stop by on Thursday, June 22 to help prep crafts and activities for the Summer Reading Club! This volunteer activity is for ages 12-17; please bring any necessary paperwork with you on the day of the event and our staff will be glad to help you complete it.

Get all the details and register now!

Booklists / Personalized Picks

Personalized Picks are returning on June 1 for Summer Reading Club! Fill out the form on that page and you’ll be on your way to your next great book.

Looking for book titles that go with our “Camp DCDL” theme? Check out the lists below for some suggestions from our staff!

Everything is better in a tent!

This year’s Summer Reading Club theme has us all feeling like happy campers! Here are some fun ways to appreciate the great outdoors, rain or shine (and to help you on your way to your summer reading prizes!).

Books about camping
Camp-themed e-books, audiobooks & more on Hoopla
Craft a luminaria candle shade with CreativeBug (be sure to log into CreativeBug through our Digital Resources page to access CreativeBug tutorials for free!)
Nature-themed films and shows on Kanopy

Mission Statement

The Delaware County District Library serves as the public information provider for our community, using traditional and innovative technology to encourage curiosity, free inquiry, and lifelong learning in a friendly environment.