The Stillwater Public Library wraps up its final week of summer reading programs this week with Native American dance and storytelling for children, a blacklight party at Stilly Arts for teens and a family field trip to the Stillwater History Museum. Summer reading festivities will officially conclude on Saturday with a colorful “Tie-Dye Explosion Finale” for all ages. This week is also the last chance for summer readers to log their reading time to earn entries into the grand prize drawings.

On Tuesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Dancing Eagle, a.k.a. Mike Pahsetopah, will perform traditional Native American dance and storytelling. The performance will include specialty, traditional and social dances. The performer will discuss the history of these dances and the significance of their clothing. This program will take place at the Stillwater Community Center, and librarians will continue to provide sensory support items for borrowing during the performance.

Elizabeth Murray, children’s librarian, expressed her gratitude to the Stillwater Community Center for accommodating this summer’s programs.

“Having ongoing construction at the library during summer reading posed challenges,” Murray said. “However, we are fortunate to collaborate with other City departments and community organizations that generously provided locations and support. We couldn’t have made it through this summer without them.”

On Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m., teens will gather at Stilly Arts, located at 1207 S. Main St., to celebrate the end of summer reading with a blacklight paint party. Teens in grades six and up will get to paint their own glow-in-the-dark masterpieces. Additionally, the top 30 teen readers will be invited to enjoy laser tag after hours in the library on Saturday, August 2.

Teen Librarian Jordan Stine looks forward to recognizing the top readers every summer.

“It’s fun to reward those who read the most,” Stine said. “Some of them really put in the time. Some teens have read around 200 hours this summer and that’s quite impressive.”

The last family field trip of the summer will take place on Thursday, July 24, at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar, located at 702 S. Duncan St. Attendees can come and go between 10 a.m. and noon to view the current exhibit and to engage with local history through hands-on activities.

All summer reading participants must enter their reading time online before midnight or bring in paper trackers before the library closes on Friday, July 25, to receive entries in the grand prize drawings. Grand prize drawing winners will be announced on August 1. The grand prize options for each age group include:

• Kids - 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, a video game system or a gift card to a local bookstore (value not to exceed $300)
• Adults - four grand prizes will be given away, three $75 gift cards to a local business and one set (of four tickets) to an OSU men's basketball home game.

Starting Friday, July 25, kids who have read 10 hours and teens who have read 15 hours can begin visiting the library to pick up their free books. Readers can continue to come to the library to pick up small reading prizes and books through mid-August.

Finally, on Saturday, July 26, summer reading officially concludes with the “Tie Dye Explosion Finale” at Prairie Arts Center. This drop-in event will run from 1-4 p.m., but librarians ask attendees to RSVP online to help ensure sufficient supplies for everyone. Each participant may bring one small clothing item to dye, and the library will provide some extra items for those who do not have one.   Crazy Hat Tie Dyes is sponsoring this event by providing dyes and expertise. 

Stine plans to bring his summer reading t-shirt to tie-dye.

“A tie-dyed summer reading t-shirt will make the perfect summer memento,” Stine said. “Other recommended items include bandanas, socks or small tote bags, preferably made from 100% cotton or other natural fabrics to help ensure the best color absorption.”

To RSVP for the finale and log reading time, visit stillwaterok.gov/LibrarySummer. Major sponsors of the summer reading program include the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

For questions about the summer reading program, contact the library by phone at (405) 372-3633 x8106 or via email at askalibrarian@stillwaterok.gov.