Level Up at Your Library – 
Summer Reading at Northland Library!
June 1 through July 31
Ages 0-18
REGISTER HERE for Summer Reading – then stop in the library to pick up a paper game board to track your progress (or download one below)!
Roll the dice, score points, shuffle the deck, cross the finish line this summer at Northland!
Kids 0 to 18 can participate in our summer reading quest. Stop in and pick up your reading Game Board (or download them below). Read at your own pace and get raffle tickets for great prizes! In-library quests include weekly crafts, contests, and adventures. Plus, programs every week for all ages-please note some will require registration.
CLICK HERE for a printable LIST of current Summer Reading programs
CLICK HERE for a printable, color coded CALENDAR of Summer Reading programs – AVAILABLE MAY 20!
READING GAME BOARDS
If you are unable to stop in and pick up your reading Game Board you can download them here:
Summer Reading Game Board – Ages 0 to 5
Summer Reading Game Board – Ages 6 to 11
Summer Reading Game Board – Ages 12 to 18
END OF SUMMER READING EVENT!
Thursday, August 7 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Join us for a petting zoo, icy treats, crafts, and more!
Open to all summer reading program participants!
ALL AGES – Registration requirements as noted
SUMMER BOOKMARK CONTEST – All ages through adult!
June 1 through June 28
Children of all ages and adults may create an original design reflecting summertime reading then enter their artwork in Northland’s Summer Bookmark Contest. Pick up an entry form at the Children and Teen Services or Ask A Librarian desk or download one HERE.
Two winners will be chosen from each age category:
Ages 0 to 5, ages 6 to 9, ages 10 to 12, ages 13 to 17, ages 18+
Bring your entry to the Children and Teen Services desk or the Ask A Librarian desk by Saturday, June 28.
Winners will be announced on July 3. Each winner will receive 30 bookmarks printed with their winning design and a certificate. Winners may pick up their prize package from the Children and Teen Services desk beginning on July 22. All winning bookmarks will also be distributed at the Library.
READING DRAGONS MEETUP
Mondays, June 23, 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Come show off your cards and play against each other at the Dragon Reading meetup! You can also use this time to create your own dragons or find new books to read.
No registration is required for this program for all ages. Information about getting a special Reading Dragons T-shirt will be available in person during the program.
FAMILY STORYTIME
Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in the Learning Garden (*weather permitting*)
Take a summer story break in the garden with picture books, songs and more this summer. This program will be weather permitting.
No registration required.
June 25: Pride Storytime July 16: Space
July 2: Gnomes and Fairies July 23: Dragons
July 9: Mo Willems July 30: Elephants
CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS’ DAY
Friday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to Noon
Join Norbert the Northland Owl to meet local children’s book authors, hear them read their stories, and participate in crafts and activities that celebrate children’s literature.
No registration is required for this drop-in program.
BABY AND TODDLERS – Registration requirements as noted.
2025 MOTHER GOOSE TUMMY TIME
July 15, August 19 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Babies 3 to 12 months and a caregiver are invited to join us for a 20-minute storytime, followed by instruction from Taylor Shields, a physical therapist from Ivy Rehab, on how to encourage your baby in their current stage of development. Then enjoy some time to socialize!
July 15 – Registration begins June 15
August 19 – Registration begins July 15
LIBRARY TOTS – Thursdays, August 14, 21, 28; September 4, 11 at 10 a.m.
Library fun for children 12 months through 36 months. Toddlers will build pre-reading skills and enjoy special time with their grown-up. Register once to attend all five sessions.
August 14, 21, 28, September 4, 11 – Registration begins on August 1
PRESCHOOL AGES 3 TO 5 – Registration requirements as noted.
NATURE FRIENDS STORYTIME – Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
July 15; August 19
Children 3 to 5 years of age are invited for thirty minutes of nature-themed stories, songs, and library fun.
No registration is required but space is limited.
TEA REX TEA PARTY – TEA PARTY STORYTIME!
Wednesday, June 18 at 1 p.m. or Thursday, July 24 at 1 p.m.
Bring an appetite for fun (and your very best manners!) to the T Rex Tea Party at Northland Library. This 30-minute tea party is for children ages 3 to 5 and if they wish – their stuffy companion. Registration is required. Please advise of any food allergies/intolerances when registering.
June 18 – Registration begins June 1
July 24 – Registration begins July 1 (repeat of June 18)
PAJAMA STORYTIME
Wednesdays, June 25 and August 27 at 6:30 p.m.
For families with children in preschool through 3rd grade – stories, songs, and action rhymes to get the wiggles out, with a simple art activity to round out the evening. Pajamas optional, but welcome!
No registration is required.
HANDWRITING WORKSHOP (Ages 4 to 5)
August 5, 12, 19 (4 to 5 years) from 1 to 2 p.m.
Putting pen(cil) to paper is the first step step in making the connection to how writing relates to literacy. Therapists from Ivy Rehab will be here each week to lead children through guided exercises that build hand strength, phonetic awareness, and printing basics.
Registration is required once. Please only register your child for the age group that they belong. Each series is tailored to that specific age group. Each session will build on the session before it. Please plan on attending all three.
August 5, 12, 19 (Ages 4 to 5) – Registration begins July 15
TUTU WORKSHOP
Friday, August 8 at 11 a.m. or Monday, August 11 at 11 a.m.
Learn to make your own tutu at this workshop for children ages 5 to 10 with a caregiver. A $5 fee is due with registration at the Children and Teen Services desk. (No refunds for cancellations will be given after August 1.)
SCHOOL AGE
FEATURED
HANDWRITING WORKSHOP
Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. in Room 108
Putting pen(cil) to paper is the first step step in making the connection to how writing relates to literacy. Therapists from Ivy Rehab will be here each week to lead children through guided exercises that build hand strength, phonetic awareness, and printing basics.
Registration is required once for each series. Please only register your child for the age group that they belong. Each series is tailored to that specific age group. Each session will build on the session before it. Please plan on attending all three.
June 10, 17, 24 (Ages 8 to 9) – Registration begins May 15
July 8, 15, 22 (Ages 6 to 7) – Registration begins June 15
TIGER TEA TIME – TEA PARTY STORYTIME! (Ages 6 to 8)
Wednesday, June 18 at 2 p.m. or Thursday, July 24 at 2 p.m.
Bring an appetite for fun (and your very best manners!) to the Tiger Tea Party at Northland Library. This 30-minute tea party is for children ages 6 to 8 and if they wish – their stuffy companion. Registration is required. Please advise of any food allergies/intolerances when registering.
June 18 – Registration begins June 1
July 24 – Registration begins July 1 (repeat of June 18)
TEA DRAGON SOCIETY PARTY – TEA PARTY STORYTIME! (Ages 9 to 12)
Wednesday, June 18 at 3 p.m. or Thursday, July 24 at 3 p.m.
Bring an appetite for fun (and your very best manners!) to the Tea Dragon Society Party at Northland Library. This 30-minute tea party is for children ages 9 to 12 and if they wish – their stuffy companion. Registration is required. Please advise of any food allergies/intolerances when registering.
June 18 – CANCELLED
July 24 – Registration begins July 1 (repeat of June 18)
TAIL WAGGIN’ TUTORS: Read to a therapy dog
Fridays, July 11, 18, 25 from 11 a.m. to noon
Children in grades kindergarten and up will get 10 minutes to read to a therapy dog. Bring your own book or use one of ours. Please call the CATS desk at 412-366-8100 option 4 to register each available morning. The number of open slots will depend on the number of available dogs.
TUTU WORKSHOP
Friday, August 8 at 11 a.m. or Monday, August 11 at 11 a.m.
Learn to make your own tutu at this workshop for children ages 5 to 10 with a caregiver. Register beginning July 15. A $5 fee is due with registration at the Children and Teen Services desk. (No refunds for cancellations will be given after August 1.)
August 8 – Registration begins July 15
August 11 – Registration begins July 15
ONGOING
POKEMON CLUB – First Tuesday each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
July 1, August 5,
Gotta catch ’em all! Pokemon Trainers ages 10 to 16 can join us for an hour of Pokemon fun. We’ll have a different activity each month, and trainers are welcome to bring their own cards and games from home to show off and share.
No registration is required.
MIDDLE SCHOOL WRITING GROUP –Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
July 2, August 6
Are you a middle schooler who enjoys creative writing? Would you like to meet other students with similar interests? Whether you are already deep into an ongoing writing project or unsure where to start, join us once a month for writing games, group writing exercises, and interesting prompts. Bring your notebook or laptop: there will be plenty of unstructured time to start a new project or continue working on an old one, as well as opportunities to share your work, if you wish. Contact Kim Pierson at piersonk@northlandlibrary.org for more information.
No registration is required.
FIRST CHAPTER FRIDAYS
Fridays, June 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; August 1 at 1 p.m.
Looking for a new book? Join us as we read the first chapter together. If you like the book, you can take it home with you and read the rest of it on your own! This program is for ages 9 and up. First Chapter Fridays will be held in Room 108.
No registration is required.
ANIMAL CROSSING CLUB – Third Tuesday each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
June 17; July 15; August 19
Good afternoon, Mayor! Villagers ages 10 to 16 can join us as we collaboratively build Northland’s island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch. Villagers may bring their own Switches to show off their own islands, but no experience with the game is necessary to participate.
No registration is required.
PAJAMA STORYTIME
Wednesdays, June 25 and August 27 at 6:30 p.m.
For families with children in preschool through 3rd grade – stories, songs, and action rhymes to get the wiggles out, with a simple art activity to round out the evening. Pajamas optional, but welcome!
No registration is required.
IT’S TIME FOR SUMMER CRAFTING
Thursdays, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31
Join us on Thursdays anytime between 10 and 11 a.m. for creative Thursdays. This is a drop in program with 15 minute art activities for 7 to 12 year olds only. Each week there will be a different activity to challenge your creative juices. There is no registration for this activity but you may have to wait for your turn to create.
TAIL WAGGIN’ TUTORS: Read to a therapy dog
Fridays, July 11, 18, 25 from 11 a.m. to noon
Children in grades kindergarten and up will get 10 minutes to read to a therapy dog. Bring your own book or use one of ours. Please call the CATS desk at 412-366-8100 option 4 to register each available morning. The number of open slots will depend on the number of available dogs.
OLDER YOUTH
FEATURED
AFTER-HOURS AMONG US
Friday, June 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
There is an impostor among us, and they’re bringing down the ship! Can you sus out who’s sabotaging you and finish your tasks in time? join us for this after-hours program where we play a live-action version of the popular mystery game for ages 12 to 18. Registration required.
June 20 – Registration opens on June 1
AFTER-HOURS MURDER MYSTERY
Friday, July 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
THERE HAS BEEN A MURDER!!! Can you figure out who the culprit is before they strike again? Take on the persona of murder suspects for this after-hours mystery for ages 12 to 18. Registration required.
July 11 – Registration opens on June 15
AFTER-HOURS MARIO KART TOURNAMENT
Friday, August 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
3, 2, 1… GO! Racers, get ready to show off your skills in a bracket-style tournament. This program is for teens ages 12-18. Registration is required.
August 8 – Registration opens on July 1
TAYLOR SWIFT GLOW PARTY
Friday, August 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Crafts, songs, glow sticks, and more! Celebrate the end of summer reading and everyone’s favorite pop star at an after-hours party! This program is for ages 12 to 18. Registration required.
August 1 – Registration opens on July 15
ONGOING
POKEMON CLUB – First Tuesday each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
July 1, August 5,
Gotta catch ’em all! Pokemon Trainers ages 10 to 16 can join us for an hour of Pokemon fun. We’ll have a different activity each month, and trainers are welcome to bring their own cards and games from home to show off and share.
No registration is required.
TEEN TIME – First Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Not meeting in July; August 7
A new mystery activity every month for ages 12 to 18.
No registration is required.
‘TWEEN & TEEN CRAFTING CLUB
June 23, 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28 at 3:30 p.m.
Crafts for crafty, or not-so-crafty, 10 to 18-year-olds! Registration is required for each session.
June 23 – Painted flowerpot
June 30 – Mason Jar snow globes
July 7 – Felt coasters – Registration begins on June 15
July 14 – Painted tote bags – Registration begins on June 15
July 21 – Screen printed t-shirts (participants must bring their own plain t-shirt) – Registration begins on June 15
July 28 – Macramé rainbow wall art – Registration begins on June 15
NEXT CHAPTER BOOK CLUB • Second & fourth Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.
June 24; July 8, 22; August 12, 26
Open to both teens and adults, this book club offers meaningful opportunities for life-long learning, social connections, and community inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We’ll provide the books, and readers of any level are welcome to join us to read aloud and discuss the stories! Email akenheadl3@northlandlibrary.org for more information.
No registration is required.
ANIME CLUB – Second Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
July 10; August 14
An hour of anime and manga fun for ages 12 to 18 celebrating all things Japanese pop culture!
No registration is required.
ANIMAL CROSSING CLUB – Third Tuesday each month from 4 to 5 p.m.
June 17; July 15; August 19
Good afternoon, Mayor! Villagers ages 10 to 16 can join us as we collaboratively build Northland’s island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch. Villagers may bring their own Switches to show off their own islands, but no experience with the game is necessary to participate.
No registration is required.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ADVENTURES
Wednesday, June 18; Tuesday, June 24; Tuesday, July 8; Wednesday, July 16; Tuesday, July 22 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Calling all adventurers ages 12 to 18! Join us for a one-shot Dungeons & Dragons adventure. No experience is necessary!
These programs are for ages 12 to 18. Registration is required and players must register for each individual session. Players will receive an email with full adventure details no more than two business days after registration. Players MUST reply to that email no later than one week before the game or lose their space.
June 18 – Registration opens on June 1.
June 24 – Registration opens on June 1.
July 8 – Registration opens on June 15.
July 16 – Registration opens on June 15.
July 22 – Registration opens on July 1.
TEEN GAME ROOM – Third Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
June 19; July 17; August 21
An hour of gaming for ages 12 to 18!
No registration is required.
TEEN LIBRARY DISCORD SERVER
Want to hang out with your peers in a safe, online space? Our librarian-moderated Discord server is the place for you! We have spaces for you to chat with friends, participate in pop-up game nights, share your artwork and writing, and play Dungeons & Dragons! The full calendar of events is in the server, but most game nights occur on Friday.
Teens ages 13-18 can join the server by filling out the form HERE.
Please contact teen librarian Raeann at macneilr@northlandlibrary.org if you have questions!
The Teen Library Discord Server is brought to you by these participating libraries: Brentwood, Bridgeville, Cooper-Siegel, Northern Tier, Northland, and Robinson.
