Sign up to earn prizes!
We have activity logs for all ages! Registration begins June 1 and the final day to earn prizes is August 25. You can register in person, by phone, or right here on the website. You can pick up reading logs at the library, or print them from here. Call your library for more information.
Main Events
This summer we're bringing some great shows to you!
Check them out below and call your library for more information.
The Zoo Man
MEET THE ANIMALS!
The Zoo Man is back again with his animal friends. Join him to learn all about them!
June 14 - 10 AM, 2 PM, & 6 PM @ the Government Center East Cafeteria (Enter in Door #7) in Jackson
June 15 - 10 AM & 1 PM @ the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Welcome Center in Lakefield (Enter in the Office door and then turn left)
& 4 PM @ the Heron Lake Library
This event is funded by Federated REA Operation Round Up.
Ralph's World!
Music & fun with Ralph Covert
Ralph’s World is the mega-fun musical planet where kids rock rock rock and dance dance dance to their own and their parents’ delight
June 21 - 10 AM & 2 PM @ the Government Center East Cafeteria (Enter in Door #7) in Jackson
June 22 - 10 AM & 1 PM @ the Lakefield Library & 4 PM @ the Heron Lake Library
This event funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Magic Bob!
with Beautiful Lynn Marie
A fun-filled comedy magic show!
June 28 - 10 AM & 2 PM @ the Government Center East Cafeteria (Enter in Door #7) in Jackson
June 29 - 10 AM & 1 PM @ the Lakefield Library, & 4 PM @ the Heron Library
Mixed Nuts
Lots of Laughs!
Mixed Nuts is adrenaline driven comedy for the whole family! Features physical comedy, age appropriate humor, and audience participation.
July 12 - 10 AM & 2 PM @ the Government Center East Cafeteria (Enter in Door #7) in Jackson
July 13 - 10 AM & 1 PM @ the Lakefield Library
& 4 PM @ the Heron Lake Library
This event funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
KidPower with Rachel!
Music, Puppets, and the Power of Friendship!
KidPower with Rachel uses music, humor, life-size ventriloquist puppets, and educational live animals to accompany us on our adventurous journey.
July 19 - 10 AM & 2 PM @ the Government Center East Cafeteria (Enter in Door #7) in Jackson
July 20 - 10 AM & 1 PM @ the Lakefield Library
& 4 PM @ the Heron Lake Library
This event funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Craft Kits
This year we're providing craft kits for pickup at the library for toddlers through adults. Call your library to request a craft kit every month starting June 1. Kits will be available for pickup the entire month at all three library locations. Only a limited number of kits are available, so make sure to call in and reserve yours! They can be reserved one week before they become available.
*The grades listed are what they will be entering Fall 2023.*
Storytime Kits: Toddler -PreK
Children's Craft Kits: K-4th Grade
Tween Craft Kits: 5th-7th Grade
Teen & Adult Craft Kits: 8th Grade & Up
These Craft Kits were made possible with funding from the Robert & Helen Remick Charitable Foundation Trust Grant.
Tween & Teen Events
These events are completely free to attend for tweens and teens. Tweens are those entering 5th-7th grades. Teens are those entering 8th-12th grades.
Monthly Craft Kits!
Free craft kits will be available all month long in June, July, & August.
Kits available starting June 1st
Scroll over or tap or check out the Craft Kit section for more details.
How it works
New kits are available each month and you can reserve them up to one week before the become available. Here are the kits that will be available this summer!
Tween:
June - Slime
July - Friendship Bracelet
August - Galaxy Bottle
Teen:
June - Colorful Flower Pot
July - Pressed Flower Lantern
August - Sunflower Wreath
Tie Dye Together
Grab a kit and create a tie dye masterpiece!
Kit Pickup Starts on July 7 in All Libraries
Scroll over or tap for more details.
How it works
Create your own tie dye bag to keep and a tie dye square to add to a community blanket!
You can register for a kit at any time. Kit pickup starts on July 7. Your tie dye blanket square is due back to the library by 5 PM on July 28 to be included in the community blanket. The squares will all be added together to create a community tie blanket that will be awarded as a prize at the end of summer!
This event is sponsored by Prairielands.
Nerf Battle & Pizza Night
After Hours Nerf Battle at all three libraries.
June
Scroll over or tap for more details.
How it works
The library is providing all the nerf gear, pizza, and challenges. Space is limited for these events so registration is required. Please call your library to reserve your spot and tell us what kind of pizza you want!
Jackson: June 7 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Lakefield: June 13 from 6 - 8 PM
Heron Lake: June 20 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Photo Contest!
Show off your artistic eye by submitting a photo in the photo contest!
August 1-11: Photo Submissions
August 15-18: Voting
Scroll over or tap for more details.
How it works
All three libraries are hosting a photo contest! Submit a photo that fits the theme "Hometown Pride" between August 1st and August 11th. Take a photo that shows off an important part of your community or what you love about it. This could be corn fields all around us, your favorite shop, or anywhere or anything in town that you love & makes you feel connected.
Only one entry per person allowed. Email your photo to jclmn@co.jackson.mn.us with the subject line "Photo Contest." Please include your name, the library you go to most, a phone number, and your grade that you will be entering Fall 2023.
Voting will be held virtually and in all three libraries from August 15-August 18. People can vote virtually on the libraries' Facebook pages and Instagram by liking the photos. Ballots will be available in the libraries for in-person voting. One Teen and one Tween winner from each library will receive a puzzle of their photo!
Submitting a photo gives the Jackson County Library System permission to use it in the library and on library social media and the library website.
Family Fun
Join us for these events that are fun for everyone!
Outdoor Movies!
Grab a chair and blanket and join us for a movie under the stars! All three libraries are showing a movie on the big screen outside this summer.
Jackson: Friday, June 2 at 9 PM in the library parking lot
Lakefield: Friday, June 9 at 9 PM in the library parking lot
Heron Lake: Friday, June 23 at 9 PM on the library lawn.
These events are funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
SUMMER LIBRARY PROGRAM DONORS 2023
The Summer Library Program is made possible through generous donations. Take a moment to look through all of those who helped make the program happen this year.
- Jackson Federal Savings & Loan
- Jackson Collision & Classics Inc.
- Boekett Building Supply
- M & H Electric
- Tri-State General Contracting, Inc.
- Crystal Valley
- Klassen Insurance Professionals, LLC
- Focused Law Firm, PLLC
- Rowe Enterprises, LLC
- Henning Rental
- Farmers & Merchants State Bank
- American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 130
- American Legion Post # 130
- State Farm Insurance - Paul Graupmann
- Federated Rural Electric - Operation Round Up
- Dr. David Kruse
- Sanford Health
- Jackson Kiwanis
- Jackson Women of Today
- Knights of Columbus
- Junction 86
- Lisa's Hairstyling LLC
- Okabena Community Club
- Anonymous Lakefield Donor
- 1st Stop Auto Repair & Alignment Inc.
- Maynards of Lakefield
- Okabena American Legion Auxiliary
- Expressway Heron Lake
- P & J's Mini Mart
- Lakefield Lumber
- Kozy Heat/Hussong Mfg
- First National Bank
- Curt & Janeen Baumgard
- Midwest Garage Doors Inc
- Extended Ag Insurance Services, Inc.
- Swoboda Chiropractic of Lakefield P.A.
- Simply Sweet Cheesecake LLC
- Lakefield V.F.W.
- Culligan
- Holiday Station
- Okabena American Legion
- Currie State Bank
- Lakefield VFW Auxiliary
- Heron Lake Young Men's Club
- Casey's
- Lakefield American Legion Auxiliary
- SoJo Coffee
- Heron Lake American Legion Auxiliary
- Heron Lake-Okabena Community Foundation
- Dairy Queen
- Subway
- Pizza Ranch
- Burger King
- Jackson Golf Course
- Smokin' Java