The events at the Ellsworth Public Library are always free and open to the public, and there are no shortage of them this summer.

Ellsworth’s library is part of the Collaborative Summer Library Program, which the State of Wisconsin subscribes to. This year’s program is themed “Color Our World.” The kickoff event is 6 p.m. June 25 at Summit Park (rain location is Zion Covenant Church) called Dinosaur Dimensions.
“It’s a dinosaur program, but they also have, I think, four or five animatronic puppet dinosaurs,” Library Youth Services Coordinator Caroline Herfindahl said. “It’s a very immersive experience, and there’s lots of opportunities for photo ops with the dinosaurs.”

Other shows over the summer include Magic Morgan and Liliana at 2 p.m. July 9 at Summit Park, the Sustainable Safari Animal Show at 1 p.m. July 16 at Zion and Rich Rubietta: Singing at the Library at 1 p.m. July 22. The magic show is a worldwide show with deaf magicians, doing the entire show in sign language. A voice interpreter will also be present.

“Animal shows are always popular, so we always make sure we have an animal show, and Sustainable Safari from the Twin Cities is bringing some animals,” Herfindahl said.

In honor of the summer theme, the library is taking a field trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Art on July 29 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. All minors must be supervised by an adult. They plan to have side events like a scavenger hunt at the museum to encourage learning.

Brush Strokes is hosting Messy Art in the Park at 1 p.m. July 1 at East End Park where they “slap, swish, squirt and spray” to create their colorful creations. Messy Summer STEM follows a similar premise, allowing the kids to get messy while doing science experiments and projects. Registration is encouraged for both events to allow for supply planning.

“We’re excited to partner and have a couple of community-grown programs,” Herfindahl said.

Another community-grown program is Nerf-apalooza July 30 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for ages 9-11 and 1:30-4 p.m. for ages 12-15 at Summit Park. Attendees will build targets and a course before battling through their creations. Nerf supplies and lunch should be brought from home, but drinks and treats will be provided.

The summer reading challenge begins Monday in which kids can track their reading on a log from the library and receive prizes including free ice cream from the Pizza Arcade and free books.

The ongoing programs for kids from the library include Storytime in the Park on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. at East End Park, with the exception of June 27 being at Cairns Woods; LEGO at the Library takes place on the third Tuesdays of each month from 3:30-5:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to the game night on the last Thursdays of each month from 6-7:30 p.m.

For adults, Tech Time is on the second Mondays of the month at 10:30 a.m. Calls can also be made to set up an appointment. Discover Together Tuesdays is on the second Tuesdays of the month at 11 a.m., bringing guest speakers to the library to hold informative sessions. Stitchin’ Time Crafters is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Morning Book Club is on the second Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., covering “Mad Honey” by Picoult and Boylan in June, “The Magnolia Palace” by Fiona Davis in July and “The Land Remembers” by Ben Logan in August. The Only Murders in the Library Book Club is on third Thursdays at 6 p.m., covering “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie in June, “None of This is True: A Novel” by Lisa Jewell in July and “We Solve Murders” by Richard Osman in August.

When the school year approaches, the library plans to put on back to school events including a medallion hunt Aug. 11-15, Back to School Bingo at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 25 and a picnic at East End Park at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 22.

The events by no means stop there, and if you are looking for the right event for you, head to www.ellsworthlibrary.org.

“It’s always a big undertaking, but our busiest time of the year, and so much fun to just get people out,” Herfindahl said.

Herfindahl wanted people to know they have some availability to check out free day passes for State Parks with a library card and passes for the Pierce and St. Croix County parks. In addition, community members are always welcome to come in to meet, study or work.

“If you didn’t grow up coming to the library, you don’t really know what the library has or the library is about,” Herfindahl said. “We’re hoping that if people are curious, that they come… It’s not the staff’s library or the village’s library even. It’s everyone’s library.”

Herfindahl said there is so much more in the library other than traditional books including free audio books, puzzles and more.

Inside the library’s vault that has been used for historic displays, the Pierce County American Legion Posts brought in artifacts that are on display through the end of July. Community artist Brian Doolittle’s watercolors are also on display through July. In August, Lawrence Studio, an Ellsworth photography studio for decades, will have photos displayed to showcase the history of photography.

“No matter what we do or who the performers are or who we bring in, my favorite thing is just seeing community together,” Herfindahl said. “Kids making library friends, or new friends or meeting up with friends that they’ve been missing from school, and just seeing people enjoy themselves.”