Readers of all ages are encouraged to participate in Stillwater Public Library’s summer reading program from May 31 through July 25. Registration is open online with Beanstack, the library’s online reading-challenge platform and app. Starting May 31, participants can read to earn rewards, attend free fun and educational programs and get a coupon for their official summer reading T-shirt. Due to ongoing construction on the library’s fire suppression system, summer reading events are taking place at the Stillwater Community Center and various other locations.

Every year, the summer reading program has a special theme. For 2025, participating readers will explore art and creativity related to the theme “Color Your World.” Children’s librarian Elizabeth Murray cannot wait to launch summer reading with the “Bright Readers Bash Kickoff” on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Stillwater Community Center.

“This year’s kickoff is inspired by all things color,” Murray said. “There will be color-themed rooms with related activities, including acting, sensory play, reading to therapy dogs, poetry, planting sunflower seeds and more. We are even expecting a visit from our summer reading mascot, Sparkles the Unicorn!”

In addition, teens (grades 6-12) will be having their very own kickoff playing Quidditch with OSU’s Cowboy Quidditch Team, also on May 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Strickland Park Baseball Fields, located at 313 N. Main. The game, which is inspired by Harry Potter, is a unique combination of elements from basketball, dodgeball and tag. 

Throughout the summer, participants who read, or are read to, and track their summer reading time will be eligible for the following prizes:

• Every 5 hours (300 minutes): All ages earn a small prize, including food coupons from local businesses, while supplies last. (Maximum of 10 coupons)
• At 10 hours (600 minutes): Kids earn a small prize and a free book. (Book pickup begins July 25.)
• At 15 hours (900 minutes): Teens earn a free book. (Book pickup begins July 25.)
• At 20 hours (1200 minutes): Adults earn a coupon for one free book from the Friends of the Library’s fall used book sale (while supplies last).
• Grand Prize Drawing (Every 5 hours/300 minutes): Earn an entry in the grand prize drawing for every 5 hours read. Grand prizes will be awarded at the end of summer reading in each age group -- kids, teens, and adults. 

Winners of the grand prize drawings this summer will get to pick from an assortment of prize options:

• Children – one winner can choose from an Open Gym Punch Pass to Youth Fitness Zone, a gift card to a local art shop, studio or class, a gift card to a local bookstore or a LEGO set (value not to exceed $75)
• Teens – one winner can choose from a laptop, video game system or a gift card to a local bookstore (value not to exceed $300)
• Adults – four grand prizes given away, three $75 gift cards to a local business and one set of four tickets to an OSU men’s basketball home game

Children’s programs will take place on Tuesdays, June 3-July 22, with performances at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. All Tuesday programs will be at the Stillwater Community Center in the Lowry Activity Center. Kids will enjoy a variety of performers featuring juggling, music, science, magic and more. The children’s summer line-up includes:

• June 3 – Prism Break Ventriloquist – Meghan Casey, an award-winning ventriloquist, will take viewers on an incredible journey through alternate dimensions.
• June 10 – Glow Circus – Jeremy Philo of Inspyral Circus brings color to life with his five-foot tall unicycle, juggling and more!
• June 17 – Jump Rope Master – Learn about the importance of working hard to achieve goals and how to set a Guinness World Record from jump rope master Peter Nestler. 
• June 24 – Paint the Sky with Juggling – Award-winning juggler Brian Wendling covers the library sky with the colors of his tossing, catching, spinning, bouncing, twirling, dizzying array of skills!
• July 1 – Color Our World with Songs from Monty Harper - Monty brings joy and color to all with his own unique musical extravaganza. Come ready to dance and sing along. 
• July 8 – Artsplosion Science Show – Mad Science blends the magic of science and visual art with eye-popping results! Learn about wearable technology, AI and more.
• July 15 – Color Your World with Wonder Magic Show – Magician Kevin Wade will demonstrate the power of color and its ability to transform our world.
• July 22 – Dancing Eagle – Watch Mike Pahsetopah perform spectacular Native American dances alongside traditional storytelling.  

Instead of weekly movies on Thursdays this year, the library will host drop-in field trips between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at various locations.

• June 5 – Field trip to Prairie Arts (1001 S. Duck)– Drop by to create colorful art projects! Be ready to be creative and maybe even get a little messy.
• June 12 – Field trip to Southern Woods Park (600 W. 12th) – Join other summer readers for a morning of fun at the park and splash pad.
• June 19 – The library closed for Juneteenth. No field trip.
• June 26 – Field trip to Couch Park (East 12th and Alcott Drive)– Check out the storywalk and playground.
• July 3 – Field trip to Fire Station #1 (1506 S. Main St.) – Meet local firefighters, see the fire truck and learn about fire safety.
• July 10 – Field trip to OSU Museum of Art (720 S. Husband) – Explore the exhibit, Fur, Fangs, Feathers, & Fins, and create colorful projects.
• July 17 – Field trip to the Botanic Garden @ OSU (3300 W. 6th) – Climb the treehouse, play in the children’s garden and meet the chickens. The Kind Rock Runner will also host rock painting.
• July 24 – Field trip to Stillwater History Museum (702 S. Duncan) – View the current history exhibit and engage with local history through hands-on activities.

Programs for teens in grades 6-12 will be held on Wednesdays, from June 5-July 23, at 2 p.m. Most programs will take place at the Community Center unless noted. The schedule includes:

• June 4 – Acting 101 – Teens will learn the basics of theatre production and play fun acting games with professors and professionals from OSU’s Theatre Department. Teens will also tour the theatre at the Stillwater Community Center! 
• June 11 – Sugar Cookie and Cupcake Decorating Challenge – Compete to create the most colorful, artistic and tasty treats.
• June 18 – Fiber Lasers with Tulsa Fab Lab – Learn basic CAD skills and laser-specific software to design a project, bring it to life and bring it home.
• June 25 – Camp Half-Blood – Go on a Greek Quest based on the Percy Jackson series! Teens will participate in fun mini-stations to earn beads dedicated to different Greek Gods.
• July 2 – Live Action Minecraft @ Stillwater Armory (315 E. 9th Ave.) – Play Minecraft-themed party games including Creeper Ball, Dig for Diamonds and more!
• July 9 – Bob Ross Painting – Teens of all skill levels will learn to paint like Bob Ross, led by certified Bob Ross instructor Justin Holye. Teens will get to take their paintings home.
• July 16 – Colorful Slime @ Stillwater Armory (315 E. 9th Ave.) – Make different kinds and colors of slime. Attendees may even get to submerge the teen librarian in a slime dunk tank!
• July 23 – Blacklight Paint Party @ StillyArts (1207 S. Main St.) – Teens will celebrate the end of summer at StillyArts with blacklight painting.  

Teens will also have an additional incentive to read because the top 30 readers will win an invitation to attend Laser Tag (location TBD) on Saturday, August 2. 

Adult summer reading programs take place on various dates and times. Unlike programs for children and teens, registration is requested as space is limited. 

• June 5, 6 p.m. – Raising Chickens in Town @ Botanic Gardens (3300 W. 6th) – Jennifer Patterson, an agriculture educator at Payne Co. Extension will teach participants about Stillwater ordinances, laws and best practices for keeping backyard chickens.  
• June 11, 6 p.m. – Book Craft: Purses @ Prairie Arts (1001 S. Duck) – Make a purse out of old books! Books and fabric will be available, but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies.
• June 26, 6 p.m. – Author Douglas Miller Discusses “Washita Love Child” @ Stillwater History Museum (702 S. Duncan) – Author Douglas Miller will talk about his recently published book about Native American musician Jesse Ed Davis.
• July 9, 7 p.m. - StorySLAM @ Stonecloud (917 S. Husband) –Tell your best art-related true, family-friendly story from memory to compete for prizes.
• July 12, 1 p.m. – Book Craft: Boxes @ Prairie Arts – Make a treasure box out of old books. Books will be provided, but participants can also bring their own.
• July 17, 6 p.m. – Restoring Heritage: The Fight for Stolen Art and Antiquities @ OSU Museum of Art (720 S. Husband) – Dr. Zachary Qualls will discuss art that has been stolen over the years and efforts for restitution. 
• July 19, 11 a.m.– Crowns Tea (Location TBD) – Join the library and Thick Descriptions for tea, snacks and discussions meant to unite the community. Fancy hats are also encouraged, but optional.

To celebrate the end of summer reading, the library will host a “Tie Dye Explosion Finale” on Saturday, July 26. This is a drop-in event between 1-4 p.m. at Prairie Arts Center. Attendees should bring an item to tie dye (a summer reading T-shirt is always a good option). The library will also have a few extra items to dye for those who need them or forget to bring something. Crazy Hat Tie Dyes is sponsoring this event by providing dyes and expertise. 

The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library fund program costs and most grand prizes for the summer reading program. Other major supporters include the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Chris’ University Spirit and Ross Stores Foundation.

For more information about the summer reading program, including a complete list of sponsors, visit stillwaterok.gov/LibrarySummer. Contact the library with questions by phone at (405) 372-3633 x8106 or via email at askalibrarian@stillwaterok.gov.