---

   The Longville Public Library is inviting children and teens to participate in its 2026 “Plant a Seed, Read” Summer Reading Program. The program encourages young readers to explore books of their choice throughout the summer while earning prizes and participating in special activities.

   The program runs June 1 through July 31. Participants may register at the library, pick up a reading log and learn more about additional activities, including the Plant a Seed activity log. Children who complete the reading challenge will be eligible for a grand prize drawing. Prize packages are currently on display at the library.

   A variety of family-friendly activities are planned throughout the summer:

  •  Storytime will be held Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. from June 4 through July 30. Preschool and kindergarten-aged children accompanied by an adult are invited to enjoy stories and snacks.

  •  Craft time will take place Fridays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Preschool through elementary-aged children, accompanied by an adult, may stop by to create a craft to take home.

  •  Children’s author Emily Kilgore will visit the library Wednesday, June 24, at 3:30 p.m.

  •  Local artist Christine Davidge will lead two free Legacy-funded children’s art workshops. The first workshop, featuring a creative bumblebee project inspired by the “Plant a Seed, Read” theme, will be held Friday, June 26, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. A second workshop, featuring a seed art “Tree of Life” project, is scheduled for Friday, July 17, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Registration is required by calling the library at (218) 363-2710.

  •  Children’s author Sarah Carlson and her daughter, illustrator Adley Carlson, will host a special storytime Thursday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m.

  •  Sparkle Theatre will present “Camp Houdini” on Wednesday, July 22, at 3 p.m.

Homeward Bound Wonder Weavers Storytellers will present “Growing Stories — No Fertilizer Required!” on Thursday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m.

   July is lake appreciation month; a time to raise awareness of the importance of lakes in our everyday lives. The Longville Library will have a variety of activities in the library that kids can paticipate in for fun and to enter drawings. Carolyn Dindorf from the Blackwater Lake Association will be doing a storytime for kids at the Longville Library with a hands-on aquatic invasive workshop–date to be determined. Deep Portage will also be at the library with a fish printing workshop on Friday, July 24 at 1:30 p.m.

   Legacy programs are funded in whole or in part by the voters of Minnesota through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund established in 2008.

   In addition to summer programming, the library encourages residents to explore its wide range of services and collections, including fiction, biographies, large-print books, hobby books, children’s materials, DVDs and audiobooks. The library also offers public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, fax and scanning services, mobile hotspots and a life jacket loan program for infants and children.

   Library staff encourage families to visit the library this summer to read, learn and spend time together. “Come read for fun when school is done and prizes will be won.”

---