Family Tides
Grab your library card — the Atlantic County Library System has a full lineup of exciting events this summer designed to offer fun for the whole family.
The Color Our World summer reading program encourages kids, teens and families to get creative and celebrate the arts in all forms. Part of the national Collaborative Summer Library Program, it features weekly events at branches across the county.
Through mid-August, participating branches will host weekly events like STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) workshops, crafts, sing-alongs and more. The Hammonton branch recently held a relief printmaking session, while the Somers Point branch hosted a slime lab.
“We have outside performers coming in. Several places have a magician coming in,” said Lisa Warker, assistant public information officer for the Atlantic County Library System, adding that Science Heroes will also appear at multiple locations in July.
“They get the audience involved, and they perform works of science, but they’re tying it in with our summer reading program theme of color and artwork. It’s really neat,” she said.
Kids can also sign up for the summer reading program and receive a reading log with a chance to win prizes and keep their reading skills sharp, helping to avoid the summer slide that can happen when school’s out.
“It’s just a fantastic way to keep track of your reading and for them to be proud of something at the end of the summer, and then they can come and turn it in for a prize at most of the branches,” Warker said. “Anything to incentivize the love of reading. The younger they are, studies have found that it just carries them through in their life that they become lifelong readers.”
But the fun isn’t just for kids — at the Brigantine branch, adults can join a summer reading program and win prizes of their own. For every book read, an entry is submitted into the branch’s drawing bin, with winners selected every Saturday.
Warker said several branches offer family-focused programming, such as movie nights, teen book discussions and even board games — a perfect option for a rainy summer day.
As Warker puts it, libraries offer “so much more than just books,” from e-books and comics to audiobooks, movies, TV series and more.
They also provide handy mobile printing services and even offer mobile Wi-Fi devices that patrons can borrow, which is a convenient option for summer travelers heading somewhere without reliable internet access.
“Our big thing is, especially in the summertime, if you’re traveling and going to a little bit of a remote area or you’re going somewhere where they don’t have Wi-Fi, take one of these out, borrow it, and then bring it with you and have your Wi-Fi with you there,” she said.
With all the events happening this summer, it’s a great chance to reconnect with your local library.
“We hope to get families involved,” Warker said. “Take a trip to the library. Don’t discount it. Don’t think it’s old-fashioned. It’s still a very valuable source. And we, as taxpayers, fund this — so, it’s yours to use.”
Color your calendar
Each branch offers something different every month, so drop by your nearest library — or check out another — to discover what’s happening this summer. Most events require registration, and children ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Here are just a few events coming up at some Atlantic County branches:
Summer Sing-Along
with Grandfather Joe
Monday, July 7 at 11 a.m. at the Mays Landing branch
Children of all ages are invited to join Grandfather Joe for a fun sing-along. Refreshments will be served.
Tuesday Crafternoon
Tuesday, July 8 at 2 p.m. at the Somers Point branch
Kids ages 5 and up are invited to get creative every week and learn new art techniques during Tuesday Crafternoon. On July 8, budding artists will explore shaving cream marble art.
STEAM-Ahead: Art!
Tuesday, July 8 at 2 p.m. at the Ventnor branch
This weekly hands-on STEAM workshop invites kids ages 6 to 12 to make crafts and do experiments. On July 8, participants will whip up fluffy slime. All skill levels are welcome.
SRP 2025:
DIY Galaxy Bottles
Wednesday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hammonton branch
Kids will learn how to make rheoscopic fluid to see motion effects in swirling colors in their own DIY galaxy bottles.
For more events and information, visit atlanticlibrary.org or stop by your local branch to learn how to participate in the summer reading program.
Madison Russ is an award-winning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area’s vibrant arts scene.
