As summer approaches, parents are looking for ways to keep their children entertained and engaged with learning. Fortunately, local libraries in Colorado are stepping up to provide summer programs for children throughout the summer; two of these libraries being the Gilpin County Public Library and the Nederland Community Library.

The Gilpin library hosts Preschool Storytime at 10 a.m. every Wednesday for children ages 0-5. These storytimes provide stories, fingerplays, rhymes, and a themed craft following each story. Another upcoming event the library is hosting is the Elephant and Piggie Character visit. The storybook characters Elephant and Piggie will visit the library for a storytime and a craft to kick off their Summer Reading Program.

The Gilpin Library page shared this information with the public.

Get ready for nonstop action, adventure, and hands-on fun as the Gilpin County Public Library kicks off the 2023 Summer Reading Program with this year’s theme “All Together Now”. Readers of all ages from birth to adulthood can participate. The Summer Reading Program is a treasure trove of programs, activities, and special events. Magic shows, crafts, movies, up-close animal adventures, and musical performances--fill the summer with nonstop fun and enrichments.

Elephant & Piggie on June 7 at 10 a.m. Beloved storybook characters Elephant and Piggie join us for a very special storytime to kick off our Summer Reading Program. A short story will be followed by a craft and a visit from the famous pair. Parents should bring a camera to capture the moment.

Cool Science on June 14 at 10 a.m. Everyone loves to play with balloons, but did you know that you can also learn about science with balloons? Come play and learn while having lots of fun! Kids (ages 5 - 12)

Nature’s Educators: Talon Talk on July 12 at 3 p.m. Join Nature’s Educators to meet and learn about a hawk, falcon, owl, and vulture! Find out what these birds eat, where they live, special adaptations, and conservation efforts. Feel free to bring your camera and all the questions!

Musician Will Parker on July 19 at 10 a.m. Will Parker is an award-winning children’s songwriter and teaching artist who writes and performs music for “kids ages 1-100.” During Will’s whimsical and interactive shows, he plays guitar and harmonica and sings original songs that engage the audience in singing along, dancing, high-fiving, and imaginative play.

Puppet Tales on July 26 at 10 a.m. Magic Dave delights audience members with astonishing illusions, but he always needs the help of his puppet friends. Join us for a puppet and magic show that is geared toward kids ages 3 to 10.

Magician Doc Murdock: Summer Reading Grand Finale on August 2 at 10 a.m. Doc Murdock invites you to a magic show that is FUN for all ages! Adventures in illusion, ventriloquism, puzzlement, and comedy await. The show will be followed by ice cream and the Grand Prize drawings for our Summer Reading Program participants.

The Gilpin County Library is located at 15131 Highway 119, Black Hawk. They can be reached by phone at 303-582-5777 or email at gilpinlib@gilpincounty.org. Check out their website at https:// www.gilpinlibrary.org/ or their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GilpinCountyPublicLibrary.

The Nederland library hosts a lively Storytime for children ages 0-4 every Friday at 10 a.m. In addition, the Nederland Community Library is hosting a

Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Learning,” with a kickoff party on May 25 that is going to feature live music, a bounce house, an inflatable slide, food truck, shaved ice truck and fun sign-up prizes. This summer, the Nederland library is partnering with NASA and will be hosting an interactive Exoplanet Exhibit featuring hands-on touchscreen kiosks and booths from June through August.

The Nederland Library also shared this information: Check out some of the amazing summer programs here but check online for updates and additions throughout the summer!

Summer Reading Program Kick-Off on Thursday, May 25 at 4 p.m.

Discover Exoplanet Exhibit officially opens on Friday, June 2.

Backyard Astronomy on Wednesday, June 7 at 6 p.m. Learn astronomy that anyone can do in their backyard with their eyes, binoculars and telescopes. Registration required; Ages 10 to adult

Percussion Party on Friday, June 9 at 4 p.m. Workshop for grades K-5th with Kirk Kubicek. This fun workshop will feature a percussion show-n-tell and “petting zoo”, followed by fun rhythm games and a kid’s drum circle!

Stomp Rocket Party at Chipeta Park on Monday, June 19 at 5 p.m.. Join your library friends at the Park to test out our stomp rocket skills! Lemonade and laughs provided.

Backyard Astronomy: Basic Astrophotography on Wednesday, July 5 at 6 p.m.

“Explore our Solar System” on Monday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. Take a trip through our Solar System with Jessica Howes, STEM Lecturer at CU Boulder and learn about each of the planets that orbit our Sun. Afterwards, we’ll craft a planet! - for younger elementary

“The Physics of Rockets” on Tuesday, July 11 at 10:30 a.m. How do Newton’s three laws apply to rocket ships? Find out with Jessica Howes, and then join in for some fun (and explosive!) science experiments - for older elementary and up

Drop-in Galaxy Jars Craft on Friday, July 14 at 4 p.m. Learn about galaxies and nebulae; we’ll watch a short video and then make our own galaxy in a jar to take home!

Teen Super Mario Kart Tournament on Thursday, July 20 at 5 p.m.

“Mars Rover Experience” on Friday, July 28 at 3 p.m. with Kris Larsen. Learn all about the Mars Rover trip and hold a real Mars meteorite! Afterwards we’ll go to Mars by making a giant cardboard box rocket ship!

“Rocks from Outer Space” on Sunday, August 6 at 3 p.m. with Brian Hynek.

Last day to turn in your completed Summer Reading Program sheet to win a goody-bag and be entered into the Grand Prize Raffle is Sunday, August 13, 2023.

The Nederland Community Library is located at 200 Highway 72 North, Nederland. They can be reached by phone at 303-258-1101 or email at nederlandlibrary@nedlib.org. Check out their website at https://nederland.colibraries.org/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nederlandcommunitylibrary.