2024 Summer Learning Program

Our Summer Learning Program launches June 1 for Manatee County children and teens ages 0-17! This year's theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library! Children will have the opportunity to become Library Adventurers—all of our Manatee Library locations will represent a different National Park. Celebrate literacy with your family! Enjoy milestone book prizes, engaging events, a chance to become a Kid Librarian, and Grand Prize entries!

How it works:

The 2024 Summer Learning Program promotes reading and learning with incentives such as free books, programs, and the chance to win a Grand Prize and/or become a Kid Librarian. Participants are encouraged to read 20 hours or more, and for each 5 hours read, they are awarded a new book and entered into the Grand Prize drawing!

Hours are logged in the activity booklet, which will be available to pick up on June 1st. After every completed 5 hours read, come in to pick up your new book prize! After 20 hours, turn in your log booklets to your local librarian for the Grand Prize drawing. July 31st will be the last day to submit reading logs. Winners will be contacted in early August.

Participants with the most hours read (ages 4 and up) have the opportunity to become a Kid Librarian and create a library display while enjoying a behind-the-scenes experience at a Manatee Library of their choice.

Sign up in person at any Manatee Library location and pick up the reading booklet log on June 1st, 2024!
MCPL is excited to announce our continued partnership with the Bradenton Marauders for this year's Summer Learning Program. Every child that completes 20 hours in their reading log will receive a FREE ticket to a select Marauders game. Stay tuned for updates!

Made possible by the Manatee Library Foundation.

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Check out our Summer Learning Program events!

Please check if registration is required here.
Central Library - Sequoia National Park
9:00 AM -1:00 PM
June 1 - We Are the Sequoia National Park Kickoff Party
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
June 3 - Mote Marine Aquarium: Sharks the Truth in the Tooth
June 10 - Showtime for Kids: Adventures, Here, There, and Everywhere!
June 17 - Didgeridoo Down Under
June 24 - Shana Banana: BananaAdventures
July 8 - Meet a State Park Ranger: Brett Garrett of Lake Manatee State Park
July 15 - Adventures in Slime
July 22 - BINGO Adventures
July 29 - Adventures in Crafts: Friendship Keychains & Bracelets
11 AM - 1 PM
June 11 - Role Playing Adventures (Ages 8 - 10 years)
July 12 - Role Playing Adventures (Ages 8 - 10 years)

Palmetto Branch - Redwood National Park
10:00 AM
June 1 - Jungle Adventure Kickoff Party
June 8 - Native to Florida: Presented by Sarasota Jungle Gardens
June 15 - Petting Zoo: Presented by RCC Farms
June 22 - Adventure into Ceramics
June 29 - Up, Up 7 Away: Presented by MadScience Tampa Bay
July 6 - Fort Night not Fortnite
July 12 - Explore the Shore: Presented by Manatee County National Resources
July 20 - Kids Paint Workshop

Rocky Bluff Branch - Carlsbad Caverns National Park
11:00 AM
June 1 - Foam Palooza Kickoff Party
10:00 AM
June 4 - Pyrotechnology with Florida Public Archaeology Network
June 11 - Showtime for Kids
June 18 - JiggleMan
June 25 - Sea Turtle Talk with Mote Marine Lab
July 2 - Didgeridoo Down Under
July 9 - GiGi & Friends
July 16 - Backyard Safari with 2nd Chance Ranch
July 23 - Recycle Rally
July 30 - Ice Cream Party

South Manatee Branch - Acadia National Park
12:00 PM
June 1 - Onward Family Movie Kickoff Party
3:00 PM
June 4 - Pyrotechnology with Florida Public Archaeology Network
June 11 - Showtime for Kids
June 18 - Sarasota Jungle Gardens
June 25 - Out of My Hands Juggling and Illusions
July 9 - GiGi & Friends
July 16 - Meet a Park Ranger
July 23 - Solar Astronomy with Sidewalk Science Center
July 30 - End of Summer Party

Island Branch - Biscayne National Park
10:00 AM
June 1 - Whiskers & Words - A Kitten Adoption & Foster Kickoff Party
June 6 - Comic Book Writing for Kids
June 12 - Recycling with Manatee County
June 13 - JiggleMan
June 20 - Bits & Pieces Puppets presents The Adventures of Robin Hood
June 27 - Great Space Adventure
July 3 - Reactory Factory Rocks - The Sound of Science
July 11 - Sword Fighting for History!
July 18 - Wild About Wildlife
July 25 - Marine Archaeology for Kids with the Florida Maritime Museum
2:00 PM
June 14 - Rock Garden Rock Painting

Braden River Branch - Saguaro National Park
11:00 AM
June 15 - Pirates Invade the Library - Book your adventures with Anna Marie Privateers
June 29 - Miss Chris & Monsterpiece Puppets presents Peter Pan
July 6 - Lego Family Play Time
July 27 - End of Summer Encanto Party
2:00 PM
June 6 - Meet the Forest Rangers and Natural Resources to Kickoff your Summer
June 13 - Mr. Jiggles! Crazy fun
June 20 - Bits & Pieces Puppets presents The Adventures of Robin Hood
June 27 - Showtime for Kids: Adventure!
July 11 - Sword Still Ring Academy - History of Sword Play
July 18 - Mote Aquarium: Sea Turtles Voyage
July 25 - Jungle Gardens: Reptiles

Lakewood Ranch - Everglades National Park
10:00 AM
June 1 - Summer Kickoff Event
July 31 - End of Summer Celebration
2:00 PM
June 5 - Bits and Pieces Puppet Theater
June 12 - Showtime for Kids
June 19 - Artifacts and Technology with Florida Archaeology
June 26 - Celestial Navigation with Florida Maritime Museum
July 3 - Visit with a Park Ranger
July 10 - Water Conversation
July 17 - Explore our Waterways with Parks and Natural Resources
July 24 - Recycling with Manatee County Utilities

Little Discovery Center - Dinosaur National Park
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
June 1 - We Are the Dinosaurs Summer Learning Kickoff Party (2-8 years old)

We are so excited you decided to join us on this learning and reading journey for the summer! Sign up for our SLP Newsletter to stay up-to-date with all the fun!