The long, sunny days we've been waiting for are finally here! This summer solstice, we're looking forward to everything that summer has to offer. From visiting local beaches to family game nights, all of your favorite seasonal activities can be accessed for free with your Cromaine Library card. Let's dive into some of the amazing programs and resources you can access with Cromaine, and how you can use them to enjoy the very best that summer has to offer!
Access the Outdoors with Michigan Activity Pass
Michigan Activity Pass is your ticket to free or reduced-price access to local parks, museums, and other local venues! Visit a state park to enjoy the hiking trails or swimming, explore a local museum when it's too hot to be outside, connect with wildlife at Howell Nature Center, and more. Visit Michigan Activity Pass and refine your search by keyword, location, search radius, and date to find discounted or free access to venues you're sure to love! Your summer adventures await with Michigan Activity Pass.
Borrow Games, Tools, Instruments, and More with The Library of Things
Did you know that you can borrow more than just books with your Cromaine Library card? The Library of Things offers board games for family game nights, gardening tools, sports equipment, musical instruments, and even a Coleman cooler & yard games for your barbecues and cookouts! Visit the full Library of Things catalog to explore all of the amazing items available for borrow. Refine your search by age or category (which includes board games, crafts, early literacy kits, electronics, tools, and more) to find exactly what you need!
Enjoy the Summer Concert Series
Grab a spot on the South Lawn with the family for four nights of music and community connection in July! Enjoy a different band each week from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, and grab dinner from delicious food trucks while the kiddos enjoy free activities, like face painting and balloons! Each concert is guaranteed to be great entertainment for your family, and we can’t wait to enjoy each show with you. The bands and food trucks are scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, July 9: Toppermost, with food trucks Hallboy BBQ & Kona Ice!
Wednesday, July 16: Just Around the Corner, with food trucks Los Dos Amigos Tacos & Kona Ice!
Wednesday, July 23: The Detroit Drive, with food trucks Sup Dogs and Kona Ice!
Wednesday, July 30: Miranda and the M80s, with food trucks Hickory BBQ and Kona Ice!
Visit our online calendar for more details about each show. We can't wait to see you on the South Lawn!
Participate in the Summer Reading Challenge
There's still plenty of time to join the Summer Reading Challenge for your chance to win a grand prize! The Summer Reading Challenge is open until July 31, and invites participants to complete reading activities for their age group. The more activities you complete, the better your chances to win a prize! There are amazing gift card and prize pack options for all ages, from magnetic tiles for pre-K participants to a Summer Forager Prize Pack, Summer Lights Candle Crafting Prize Pack, and more for adults!
Our Summer Reading Challenge concludes on Saturday, August 2 with our Farm Fun Finale Party. No matter how much you read this summer, be sure to join us from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm for crafts, activities, and Carousel Acres’ Mobile Petting Zoo with real animals! Get more details about the Summer Reading Challenge, including activities for your age group, grand prizes, and more, here.
Visit the Library for Summer Programming
This year's Summer Reading theme is Color Our World, and we have a variety of programming centered on just that! Visit the online calendar to learn about the fun art programs happening all summer long at Cromaine. We're looking forward to our Tiny Canvas Art Contest, Afternoon Craft Time, Messy Art, Sharpie Tye Dye, DIY Paint by Number, Arts & Chats, and more! Plus, don't miss our beloved and regularly scheduled programs like Tech Time, Yoga With Debbie, Ale Together Now, the Cromaine 5K Run and Walk Club, and Recipe Club & Potluck. There's a program for every age and interest at Cromaine, and registration for July programming is open now!
However you choose to celebrate summer, we hope your days are filled with sunshine, adventure, and lots of good books. Don't forget to check out our full Summer Newsletter for more information about upcoming programs and Library updates, and remember that you can always reach out to your Cromaine Library staff with any questions related to the materials, programs, and resources available to you this summer. We're always happy to help you find what you need, and we can't wait to enjoy summer with you.