Summer Library Program 2023

Check it out and sign up starting June 1st!

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.

Infant & Toddler

Easy, fun activities to complete with your little one during the summer.

PreK-4th Grade

Complete any 12 activities to earn a small prize and then complete any 24 activities on the activity log to earn another prize! When you register, you will also receive a necklace to start earning beads all summer by visiting the library and taking part in library programs. If you register online, make sure to ask for your necklace the next time you stop into the library.

Tween Reading Log

For those entering grades 5-7. Keep track of your minutes reading to earn prizes! Earn a prize for every 175 minutes you read. Complete the card by reading 1050 minutes to be entered into a prize drawing!

Teen Reading Log

For those entering grades 8-12. Keep track of your minutes reading to earn prizes! Earn a prize for every 250 minutes you read. Complete the card by reading 1500 minutes to be entered into a prize drawing!

Tween & Teen BINGO

Earn even more prizes by completing activities on the Tween & Teen BINGO card! You can earn a prize for your first BINGO and for a Blackout.

Adult Bingo

Earn prizes and explore new books with our Adult BINGO card! You can earn a prize for your first BINGO and for a Blackout.

Family Bingo

Spend time together as a family by doing the activities on our Family BINGO! Together you can play and read your way to a prize for your first BINGO and for a Blackout.

Main Events

This summer we're bringing some great shows to you!
Check them out below and call your library for more information.

Zoo Man's Attractions

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.

SLP Website Images

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.

SLP Website Images (1)

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

SLP Website Images (2)

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.

SLP Website Images (3)

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!

Summer Storytime

Stories! Music! Fingerplays! Enjoy Summer Storytimes at each library with Ms. Mackenzie, Ms. Kathy, and Ms. Sunny.

For toddlers-early elementary.

*Registration is Requested*

No Storytime the week of July 4 and the week of July 24 (Fair Week).

Jackson: Fridays at 10 AM,
June 16 - August 25
Lakefield: Tuesdays at 10 AM,
June 13- August 22
Heron Lake: Fridays at 9:45 AM,
June 16 - August 25

STEAM Time

Explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with fun experiments and projects in this exciting weekly program! This program is for Kindergarten - 5th grade, or younger with adult help. Children can attend any week or all of the weeks.  Registration is required.

Jackson: Mondays, 12 - 12:45 PM,
June 12, June 26, July 10 - July 24
Heron Lake: Tuesdays, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM,
June 13 – July 18
Lakefield: Fridays, 12 – 12:45 PM,
June 16 – July 21

Scavenger Hunts

Stop by the each library and do the monthly scavenger hunt! All three libraries will have different themed pictures hidden throughout the library that you can come in and try to find. Find them all and turn in your scavenger hunt sheet to library staff to earn a small prize! The pictures will be rehidden once a week so you can keep coming in for more fun!

Public Works Day!

Brought to you by the Jackson Ambulance Service and the Jackson Library

Bring the family to Ashley Park in Jackson on Tuesday, June 20 from 10 AM to 12 PM for this fun come and go event.

There will be representatives from various city departments including: Ambulance, Electric, and Water. Each department is bringing their most interesting pieces of equipment for children to learn all about. To add to the fun, Sumer Skhool Treats ice cream truck will be there for the event providing treats funded by the Jackson Ambulance Service. There will even be a Story Stroll to enjoy while everyone walks through the park. Don't miss out on this exciting event!

Registration is not needed and everyone is welcome. For Jackson daycare providers, please contact the Jackson Library at 847-4748 to ask about possible transportation assistance.

Story Strolls

Enjoy being outside and read a story all at the same time! Story Strolls will have pages from entire children's picture books posted in Jackson, Lakefield, and Heron Lake for families to read as they walk together. Each community will have different stories, so you can travel to all three to enjoy even more books!

Locations:

  • Ashley Park in Jackson
  • The windows of downtown business in Lakefield
  • City Park in Heron Lake.

New Story Strolls Begin: June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, August 7, & August 21.

Bedtime Storyhour

Come in your pajamas! For toddlers through early elementary children. Registration is requested.

Jackson
6:30 PM on
June 8,
July 13,
& August 10
Lakefield
6:30 PM on
June 15,
July 20,
& August 17
Heron Lake
6:30 PM on
June 8,
July 13,
& August 10

Family Bingo!

Bring the family for a fun night of BINGO at each of the libraries! 

Jackson: Tuesday, July 18, 6 - 7 PM

Lakefield: Wednesday, July 13, 6-7 PM

Heron Lake: Wednesday, July 19, 6 - 7 PM

Print

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.

Community Treasure Hunt

Follow the clues throughout Jackson & Lakefield with the Family to solve the mystery & win a treasure!

Lakefield: Wednesday, August 2 from 11 AM - 5 PM

Jackson: Friday, August 18 from 10 AM - 4:30 PM

Color Run & Outdoor Games

Bring the whole family to play outdoor games and wear a white shirt for a Mini Color Run at the Heron Lake Library!

Heron Lake Library: Wednesday,  August 23 at 6 PM

*Mini Color Run sponsored by the Heron Lake Library Board*

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