Teens'
Summer Reading Events & Programs
Summer Reading Challenge
Monday, June 8 to Friday, July 31
Read books, attend programs, and win prizes! This summer everyone who completes their summer reading challenge will earn a prize!
June events open at 12am on Monday, May 25.
July events open at 12am on June 17.
This year we're encouraging all participants to track their reading progress through Beanstack, our online platform. However, if you prefer the traditional paper version, download and print the PDF below. Once the paper tracker has been filled out, transfer the information onto Beanstack to earn credit for your hard work!
Repeating Events
Modern Dinosaurs: The Chicken Connection
Starting Wednesday, June 10 all day | All Ages
Did you know that chickens are the closest living relatives to dinosaurs? Beginning on June 10, stop by the library to view chick eggs in an incubator, see chicks hatch, and learn about the dinosaur bird connection.
Modern Dinosaurs: The Chicken Connection
Wednesdays, June 10, July 8 & 22 at 10:30am | Children and Tweens
STEMsters, the Mars High School Chapter of a national nonprofit, strives to develop a love for STEM among young students through an interactive activity-based learning experience. A typical lesson from STEMsters starts with a presentation that goes over an experiment and the instructions. Experiments are tested and the science concepts behind the projects are explained.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB)
Wednesdays, June 10, July 8, and August 5 at 6pm | Teens
The mission of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is to represent teen interests in the library, encourage leadership (with positions such as President, Secretary, etc.) and creativity, foster community engagement, and make a positive impact. TAB members will coordinate with Librarians to improve the library and implement programs that serve local teens.
Worm Composter at the Library
Wednesdays, July 8, 22, and August 12 at 2pm | Children to Teens
Visit the library to learn about how worms turn waste into fertile soil. Our worm composter will be the home of a number of "red wigglers" this July who will turn waste food products into compost, which can then be used to grow healthy plants. Drop in for both sessions to see their progress and learn about worms and compost.
Special thanks to Let's Go Compost for providing our materials for this program.
StoryWalk at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy
Saturday, July 18 to Friday, July 24 | All ages
Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy in nearby Valencia is collaborating with the Mars Library to host an interactive, outdoor literacy activity. Pages from the children’s picture book, The Great Cookie Kerfuffle by Jessica Shaw, have been laminated and displayed on posts along the nature trail at Stormy Oaks. Merging physical activity with reading, families are encouraged to walk, read (aloud), and engage with stories in nature.
June
SRP Kickoff Party: Dino Dig
Friday, June 5 at 10am | All Ages
The Mars Area Public Library will kick off our Summer Reading Program with a Dino Dig Event! Join us for games, activities, face painting snacks and more. This event will be held outside at the Adam's Township Community Park at the Township Pavilion. We look forward to celebrating a prehistoric summer with everyone!
Coil Baskets
Thursday, June 11 at 5pm | Ages 15+
Step back in time to explore a craft that has been around since before written history. Use natural colors to honor the past, or experiment with the eye-catching hues available in modern times. The process of making coil baskets can be strangely addicting and once you start it is hard to stop!
July
Circular Weaving
Thursday, July 2 at 5pm | Ages 15+
Weaving is one of the oldest artforms in history. Nowadays, the creation of industrial weaving machines means that weaving by hand has faded from everyday life. Take a step back into the past, relax, and explore a craft hundreds of generations in the making with a circular twist.
Butler Symphony String Trio
Saturday, July 18 at 1pm | All ages
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra will bring a string trio to the Mars Library today for an afternoon of Beethoven. Come and enjoy the music.
Summer Reading Program Finale: Stone Age Suds
Friday, July 31 at 10am | All ages
Time to celebrate the end of the 2026 Summer Reading Program with some good "clean" fun at our annual Foam Party and more! With music, beach balls, and an awesome foam cannon that shoots out foam up to 5 feet high, it's sure to be a good time. We'll have snacks and some other fun activities, too! Come dressed to get foamed (towels recommended; swimwear/goggles optional). This event will be held outside at the Adam's Township Community Park at the Rotary Pavilion.
