The 2021 Summer Library Program theme is: 

Tails and Tales 

We'll spend the summer learning about unique animals, and the animals that we already love that live in Montana and around the world through reading, creating, playing, singing, and more! 

The Library will not be offering in-person programming this summer.

 The Summer Library Program and Summer Reading Challenge will begin on June 1 and end July 31. 

Summer Library Program Flier

Register for the Summer Reading Challenge at https://lclibrary.beanstack.org/

We had to keep raising the Community Reading Goal this summer! We read over 1,000 books in just 10 days, 2,500 books in 24 days, and 5,000 books in 48 days! Between June 1 and July 31 we read 6,556 books. Hooray!!

Anyone between the ages of birth to 18 who reads 10 books (and logs it into their Beanstack account) will get to select a free book to keep. You will not be able to log books and reading time in Beanstack for the Summer Reading Challenge after July 31. Free book selections for babies, children, and teens who read 10 books during the Summer Reading Challenge will be available to pick up through August.

Summer Library Program Activity and Coloring Booklets will be available on June 1st. Pick one up at your library branch to find reading suggestions, activities and weekly riddles. You can also download a 2021 Summer Library Program Activity and Coloring Booklet. Just be sure to print it out in booklet format.

Eight Weeks of Craft Kits.

Every Tuesday, we put out 500 Craft Kits that go along with the Summer Library Program weekly theme. Don't worry if you missed out on a craft kit, the instructions and materials needed for the crafts can be found further down on this page. These craft kits are geared toward children 4 and up, but younger children will be able to make the crafts with grown-up helpers. 

Please note, we will not offering a Craft Kit during Week 5 due to the Fourth of July Holiday.

Play the Whose Tail? Animal of the Week game 

Every week we'll share a new set of clues about the Animal of the Week. Flex your research muscles to answer the clues. If you can correctly answer all 9 animals, you'll be able to select a Lewis & Clark Library Brag Tag. Visit your library branch to pick up a game sheet, or download a Whose Tail? Game Sheet.

Digging Into Dinosaurs with Museum of the Rockies

Do you DIG dinosaurs? Join Museum of the Rockies for a three-part series all about PALEONTOLOGY! In this virtual series, you will learn about Montana’s dinosaurs and geology, take a virtual guided tour of the Hall of Horns and Teeth, and ask questions to Museum of the Rockies paleontologists. Attend all three programs and receive a Junior Paleontologist certificate, signed by John R. Horner Curator of Paleontology Dr. John Scannella! 

Click the link for the dates and registration for the Digging Into Dinosaurs programs.

Pet Supply Drive

In honor of the Tails and Tales theme, we've partnered with the Lewis & Clark Humane Society and Bright Eyes Care and Rehab in Choteau to host a pet supply drive. Donations can be dropped at any of our library branches from June 1 through July 21. Please make sure that all donation items are from the accepted donation list.

 https://lchsmontana.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/

Contact the August Library Branch at (406)562-3348 for more information about the Bright Eyes Shelter and their supply needs. 

Week 1 (June 1 -  7) - Birds

Make a pair of fun binoculars to help you find real and imaginary birds. Download the Birding Binoculars Instructions.

Week 2 (June 8 - 14) - Reptiles

Use craft sticks, snap buttons, googly eyes and decorations to make a slithery snake. Download the Articulated Snake Instructions.

Week 3 (June 15 - 21) - Safari Animals

Practice your roar while you create a colorful lion puppet with a paper lunch bag, raffia, googly eyes and embellishments. Download the Lion Puppet Instructions.

Week 4 (June 22 - 28) - Rodeo and Farm Animals

Design and decorate a fancy show pony or a strong working horse with construction paper, craft sticks, yarn and embellishments. Download the Rodeo Horse Instructions.

Week 5 (June 29 - July 5) - Patriotic and Montana Animals 

We are not offering a Craft Kit for Week 5.

Week 6 (July 6 - 12) -  Snails and Mollusks

Using seashells, pipe stems, and googly eyes you can make a cute snail finger puppet, and then you get to use to glue to make snail trails with your snail finger puppet. Download the Snail Finger Puppet Instructions.

Week 7 (July 13 - 19) - Marsupials

Make a wearable Kangaroo Pouch and Ears with paper plates, paint, glue dots, and yarn. Download the Kangaroo Pouch Instructions.

Week 8 (July 20 - 26) - Arctic Animals

Create a winter wonderland for an arctic animal by making an Arctic Animal Snow Globe with a clear cup, animal figurine, epsom salt, glue, and pipe stems. Download the Arctic Animal Snow Globe Instructions.

Week 9 (July 27 - 31) - Pets

Make a magnet for your refrigerator of your favorite pet or invent a new type of pet with a clothespin, glue, crayons, pipe stems, and paper. Download the Pet Magnet Instructions.