ELLSWORTH – This summer’s reading program at Ellsworth Public Library focuses on paleontology, dinosaurs and archaeology, allowing patrons to not only dig in the dirt but dig into the history of …
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ELLSWORTH – This summer’s reading program at Ellsworth Public Library focuses on paleontology, dinosaurs and archaeology, allowing patrons to not only dig in the dirt but dig into the history of the community with the 2026 “Unearth a Story” theme.
The Summer Reading Challenge will run from June 22 to Aug. 3, wrapping up right before the Pierce County Fair, said Youth Services/Program Coordinator Caroline Herfindahl.
“We’re hoping, our goal is to offer free activities and resources that are free to everybody and help to keep kids playing and learning and practicing those important literacy and math skills throughout the summer without having lost them,” Herfindahl said. “Unfortunately, kids who are already striving to meet goals are the ones who are impacted the most over the summer.”
The Summer Reading Kickoff Event will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at Elsie’s Barnyard (W6212 450th Ave., Ellsworth). Anyone who loves animals is invited to a night of outdoor play, a scavenger hunt, crafts, activities and stories to get summer started.
“The Barnyard is a fun tradition for story time,” Herfindahl said.
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge invites kids to read with Digby the Dinosaur June 22-Aug. 3. They can participate by tracking their reading, completing activities and attending library programs. Logs will be available for pick up June 22.
“It’s more like our traditional track your minutes or books, earn free books and chances to win the grand prize, along with prizes along the way,” Herfindahl said.
This summer’s Read Across America challenge is geared toward older readers (teens and adults), one way to incorporate America’s 250th birthday, Herfindahl added.
“They pick a historic roadway and read the number of pages for your trip or read books that are by authors or along your route,” she said. “It allows them to explore slices of America as they traverse the United States. We do have a lot of avid readers at the library, so this is a different way to engage with the reading challenge this year.”
The routes are based on roads across the country before the advent of the interstate system, such as the Lincoln Highway (connecting Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco), the Yellowstone Trail (from Plymouth, Mass. to Seattle), the Dixie Highway (from Michigan to Miami, Fla.) or the Pines to Palms Scenic Byway in California.
The summer schedule is jam-packed with fun activities for all ages:
Summer Fun Series, 5-7 p.m. June 18 at East End Park. EPL is partnering with Ren in the Glen, Fairies of the Glen, Movement Arts Hub and the Friends of the EPL for a Renaissance-themed evening of wonder, games and food provided by Ellsworth Lions Club. A Movement Arts Hub Dance Recital will be held at 6:30 p.m.
Carol Pruchnowski Artist Reception, 5:30-6:30 p.m. June 30. Her work is currently on display at the library.
Red, Messy & Blue Art in the Park, 1-3 p.m. July 2 at Summit Park (100 W. Grove St.) Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in clothes the don’t care about for an afternoon of creativity and art with Kayleen from Brush Strokes. Registration is encouraged.
“It’s organized chaos,” Herfindahl said. “We go home exhausted, but we love it.”
Messy Summer STEM, 10-11:30 a.m. July 11 at Summit Park. Come dressed to get messy as you concoct, explode, mix and experiment with slime and other messy science activities.
Author Allen Eskens, 5 p.m. July 14 at the Prescott Performing Arts Center (1010 Dexter St., Prescott). EPL is partnering with Prescott Public Library to host the Minnesota-based, New York Times best-selling mystery author as he shares his latest book, “The Quite Librarian.” Books will be available for purchase. EPL’s books clubs are currently reading Eskens’ book, “The Life We Bury” in June and July.
Then in September, EPL will partner with Prescott again to bring Twin Cities mystery author Matt Goldman to Ellsworth.
LEGO with Seniors, 1:30 p.m. July 28. Calling all LEGO builders to help the Senior Center members learn how to build with LEGOs. Kids and teens are invited to share their skills at the Ellsworth Senior Center, 229 W. Main St.
Summer Storytimes in the Park, 10:30 a.m. Fridays June 12 and 19 in East End Park (398 E. Main St.)
Out & About Storytimes will take place at 10:30 a.m. Fridays throughout July and August in locations around the community with a special guest, Herfindahl said.
Poolside Storytimes will take place Thursday afternoons during swim breaks at about 2:45 p.m. June 18-Aug. 6 at Klaas-Jonas Pool (312 Panther Drive).
Storywalk, Aug. 1-16. Take a stroll and read a story along the walkway fencing from the county office building (312 Kinne St.) to the Pierce County Fairgrounds (364 N. Maple St.)
Unearth a Story Medallion Hunt, Aug. 3-7 or until found. Clues will be released at the library each morning at 10 a.m.
Field Trip to Como Zoo & Conservatory, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 5. Take a bus from EPL to the Como Park Zoo for an afternoon of plants, animals, play and fun. An adult must accompany minors. Registration is requested for this finale to the Summer Reading Program. All are welcome.
EPL Senior Game Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 at the ADRC Senior Building at the Pierce County Fair. Meet library staff for games, Bingo, water, coffee, lemonade and cookies.
Back to School Bingo, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 24 in the EPL Makerspace. Dino Bingo starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by traditional Bingo at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy treats, refreshments and prizes as we bid farewell to summer.
Herfindahl is also looking forward to the interactive science shows geared toward kids, families and the young at heart planned for July.
Teens ages 12-18 are encouraged to sign up for Teen Book Boxes, a free subscription service. Library staff tailor each book box to a teen’s interests.
“We find out what they like to read and what they’ve read in the past and make selections off that,” Herfindahl said. “We have a theme to go along with it and they get snacks and treats, a craft or activity along with their books. We mix all of those based on what we pick for the theme.”
The pace at which teens receive the boxes is self-determined; it can be monthly or every other month, whatever works with a teen’s schedule.
Teens are also invited to a Summer Teen Meet Up at 1:30 p.m. July 14 at Brush Strokes Creative (273 N. Morse St.)
To learn more about the library’s summer programs, visit ellsworthlibrary.org
