Summer Reading Programs/Events 2025
Manheim Community Library
Register For an event/program Here
Weekly:
Family Story Time – Tuesdays – 10-11am
Recommended for: Families with children ages 2-6
You will find us in the Children’s area of the library. Please join us for stories, crafts, and activities! We attempt new motor skills often and encourage parents to help or step back as much as they are comfortable.
Computer… Help! – Tuesdays – 1:15-4:30pm
Recommended for: Teens/Adults
Questions about using the computer? Want to create a social media account (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)? Need help organizing your email? Come to the library on Monday evenings for IT help!
Toddler Time – Fridays – 10-10:30am
Recommended for: Ages 9 months – 2 years (24 months)
Visit Miss Esther for a time of songs, stories, and fun! We will meet for 30 minutes in the large study room across from the circulation desk. This program is created for children aged 12 months – 2 years. There will be limited space in the room, so please only register the child in the age range. Drop-offs will not be permitted.
Monthly:
Book Club – 1st Thursdays of the month – 9:30-11am
Recommended for: Adults
Our book club is for adults and meets once a month on the 1st Thursday, unless it is on a holiday. In those cases, the group will be contacted to make a call to reschedule. Join in on deep discussions with new friends as they explore the themes that each book expresses.
Unraveling Yarns – 2nd Thursdays of the month – 1-2:30pm
Recommended for: Adults
Join fellow yarn fans at the library once a month for a time of fellowship, knitting and crochet with experts and beginners. All levels of expertise are welcome. Please bring your own yarn, but other supplies can be provided.
Lego Lab – 2nd Thursdays of the month – 6-7pm
Recommended for: Ages 6-12
Your child will be given a challenge each week to complete. Creativity is encouraged, and we have plenty of Legos for them to build with. They may still choose to go their own way, and that is okay! We hope you will join us.
Junior Dungeons and Dragons – 2nd Saturday of the month – 12-4pm
Recommended for: Ages 10-15
Join us for our new junior (10-15) Dungeons and Dragons group. The group meets every 2nd Saturday of the month from 12-4pm. Connor, one of our Library Assistants, will be your Dungeon Master. All skill levels, including beginners, are welcome!
Crafternoon – 3rd Thursdays of the month – 3:30-4:30pm
Recommended for: Ages 6-12
Join Miss Esther for a fun craft program once a month at 3:30pm!
Please remember to wear clothing you don’t mind getting messy. We don’t want to ruin your favorite shirt!
Summer Reading Special Events:
June 7 – Summer Reading Kick-Off – 10am
Recommended for: Everyone!
Join us at Manheim Community Library for our annual Summer Reading Kick-off Party! It will be happening at our new location on 547 N Penryn Rd. Manheim, PA 17545. The event is from 10am till 12pm. We will have guests like Steven Courtney, the Bookmobile, and Mackenzie’s Lemonade stand, that you will typically find at 1st Thursday in Manheim. Come on out and join the fun for this year’s theme, Color Our World. Don’t forget to register for Summer Reading when you arrive and perhaps earn an extra treat!
June 11 & 25, July 9 & 23, Aug. 6 & 20 – Read to a K-Pet – 10-11am
Recommended for: K-6
Please register the child that will be participating in this program. It will be held in our small event room in the library. Please stay outside the room during your child’s time slot. Drop-offs will not be permitted. There will be a K-Pets volunteer with the dog on a leash while your child is reading.
June 12 – No. 2 Pencil Man: Superhero Workshop – 2-3pm
Recommended for: Ages 4-11
No.2 Pencil Man is recruiting new superheroes and super-heroines! Learn how to harness your creativity and step into your super-persona. Create your own custom mask and cape to fully look the part! The world needs heroes, will you rise to the occasion? Let’s use our powers of creativity to create a better, more colorful world.
June 12 – Backyard Wildlife: An Adult Program – 6:30-7:30pm
Recommended for: Adults
Join a park naturalist to learn about the wildlife living in your backyard. This program will include the furry mammals, feathery birds, scaley reptiles, beautiful and creepy insects and many more!
June 16 – Mark DeRose: Music and Art – 10-11am
Recommended for: Elementary Ages K-4
It’s Mark’s goal to present a show that combines his love for the visual arts with his love for song writing. The original songs and artwork, and show’s activities, complement one another in an effort to communicate a message that encourages Mark’s young listeners to embrace and enjoy life to its fullest, be creative individuals, and most importantly, confidently be themselves!
June 17- Pollinator Story Time – 10-11am
Recommended for: Families with children ages 2-6
Each year, we celebrate Pollinator week by having a guest from the Lancaster County Parks & Recreation. We are excited to welcome back Sandra who can’t seem to get enough of us! We will be talking about bees and pollinators and what they do for us and our plants/gardens. It’s always a fun time of learning, and she brings a craft.
June 23 – Butterflies & Moths w/ LC Parks – 10-11am
Recommended for: Preschool Age (3-5)
What’s the difference between butterflies and moths? What’s their life cycle and host plants? How do you identify them? A naturalist will answer these and many more questions you might have about butterflies, moths and caterpillars. Activities will be done to reinforce the learning and live specimens might make an appearance.
June 25 – Working on the Railroad w/ the RR Museum of PA – 1:30-2:15pm
Recommended for: Up to age 12
Participants will be able to interact with many hands-on visual aids and artifacts, like tools, lanterns, uniform items, dining car china, and ticket punches, to explore the various jobs in railroading.
July 9 – Chemistry Magic Show: Surprise Theme! – 1-2:30pm
Recommended for: Ages 3+
This Chemistry Magic show has a theme… We have just chosen not to disclose it for fun! Show up for our surprise themed Chemistry Magic Show held in the Kreider Cultural Center right next to the library. There may be loud or sudden sounds during the program. Please be cognizant of sound sensitivities when considering this event. It’s promising to be captivating!
July 11 – Daddy & Daughter Tea Party – 3-4pm
Recommended for: Father figures and little girls aged 3-8
Do you know a little girl who enjoys the fine things in life? Well, you get to join in with her on the fun with this adorable Father/Daughter bonding experience. Afternoon tea, cookies, and fun will be served at this event, so wear your tiara and your dress and get ready to have a royal time!
July 18 – Mother & Son Tee – Shirt Party! – 3-4pm
Recommended for: Boys and Moms
Boys… They love to make a mess, and most of the time, they wear it as a badge of honor. Well, they can combine them for this event! Decorate Tee’s at this party and have a blast! We only ask that you bring your own white T-shirt to decorate! Create a matching one with your boy or create your own. Take them home and have something tangible that you did together.
July 24 – Night Creatures w/ LC Parks – 6:30-7:30pm
Recommended for: Elementary Ages 5-9 (K-4)
Who-hoo comes out at night? Owls are one of the nocturnal animals you will learn about. The nighttime activity of bats and insects will also be explored. A park naturalist will help you learn about the things going bump in the night outside.
July 28 – Survival Skills w/ LC Parks – 10-11am
Recommended for: 8-14 year olds
What do you need to survive in the wild? Food, water, shelter and fire will safely be explored. This is valuable information that is important for everyone to know.
Aug. 4 – Raven Ridge Wildlife Show – 1-2pm
Recommended for: All Ages Welcome
We present one-hour program with a little bit of everything from PA reptiles to mammals and birds of prey. We talk about how we acquired these animals as ambassadors, and how they are beneficial for the environment. We also share some neat facts and misconceptions about some of these creatures. We also touch on the laws and regulations of rehabilitating wildlife and the agencies we work with.
Aug. 7 – Nature Bookmarks w/ LC Parks – 10-11am
Recommended for: Elementary Ages 5-9 (K-4)
Make a nature bookmark for your summer reading! Go for a short walk outside to gather materials, then create your unique bookmark to remember nature every time you open your book.