It’s no secret that the Free Library of Philadelphia loves summer! Summer is a time for playing, exploring, and relaxing. Summer gives us time to learn new things and do what we love. There’s freedom to try something exciting, meet new friends, and enjoy all that our world has to offer.
 

Teen artists can create and collaborate in the Magical Mosaic art workshop at Fumo Family Library, Monday through Thursday, August 5 – 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This program is a joint venture developed by the Fumo Family Library, the Rosenbach Museum, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Youth will draw inspiration from books, art, and the world around them to create mosaics that celebrate culture and community.

Teens aren’t the only ones who need time to discover their own expression and become shining stars. Young actors entering 3rd-6th grades can explore their talents and have fun learning the fundamentals of acting, playwriting, public speaking, and movement with ASAP Drama’s weeklong Theater Workshop hosted at library locations throughout the city. Contact a host library to pre-register for this program:

• Monday through Friday, August 5 – 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Overbrook Park Library
• Monday through Friday, August 12 – 16 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Falls of Schuykill Library and Greater Olney Library.
• Monday through Friday, August 19 – 23 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Queen Memorial Library.

At the end of the week, youth will share their stories and show off new skills in a performance for families and the community.

With all this summer fun, it’s easy to forget that school starts in a few weeks. Children entering 1st-3rd grades can get ready to go back to school with literacy games and hands-on activities at Camp Play and Learn. This year’s campers will learn about wild animals and their environments. "Animals big and small, the world needs them all!" Camp Play and Learn runs Monday through Friday, August 12 – 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek, Lawncrest, West Oak Lane, Whitman, and Wynnefield libraries. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.

If your pre-teen’s summer adventures include being part of a secret club to save the universe, now is the time! 8-12 year olds can play brain games, master engineering feats, learn basic coding, and create techno-art during the Robot Challenge, Tuesday through Friday, August 20 – 23 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library. Encounter new challenges and meet a different robot each day!

The Summer of Wonder Online Reading Challenge runs through August 31, giving you an excuse to read that summer beach book. Readers of all ages can sign up online or through the Beanstack Tracker app. Earn badges for completing activities, writing book reviews, and logging how many minutes you read. Your name will be entered into a weekly raffle prize drawing for every badge you earn.

With all that we have planned for August, there’s still plenty of time left for summer fun, creativity, and learning at the library!