By Julia McCane-Knox
A full schedule of summer programming and events for children, teens, and families spans across the Adams County Public Libraries. The upcoming week features summer meals for children and teens, a mix of creative projects, Storytimes, and themed educational events leading into the Independence Day holiday. All Adams County Public Libraries will be closed on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day, allowing staff and their families to enjoy the holiday together. Adams County Library employees wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.
The Adams County Public Library supports both the body and mind, ensuring that children and teens have reliable access to food resources while school is out of session. This summer, the library is partnering with the Children’s Hunger Alliance to provide a week’s worth of shelf-stable, take-home meals. Meals will be available for pickup each Monday from 12 to 2 p.m. through August 10. Children and teens may pick up meals for themselves, or parents and caregivers may pick up meals on their behalf. A signed permission form from the parent or guardian is required if someone else is picking up meals for the children.
Across several days, patrons can take part in Take-Home Craft Kits available at the Manchester Library. These kits are offered daily and provide families with an easy way to continue creative learning at home. The recurring availability ensures that visitors have flexible access to hands-on activities even if they are unable to attend in-person programs.
Storytime remains a central feature of the library’s weekly offerings. At the North Adams Library, Storytime is scheduled each Tuesday at 11 a.m., giving young children an opportunity to engage with early literacy through reading, songs, and interactive participation. Manchester Library hosts Storytime each Wednesday at 11 a.m., continuing to be a consistent hub for early childhood programming. Storytime sessions are also held at the Peebles Library each Wednesday at 11 a.m., extending the reach of early literacy programming across the county. The West Union Library joins the schedule with Storytime each Thursday at 11 a.m., and the Manchester Library offers a special evening Storytime each Thursday at 5 p.m. These varied times allow families with different schedules to participate, ensuring greater accessibility throughout the community.
Special themed programming adds variety to the week’s offerings. The Peebles Library presents a Movie Afternoon on Wednesday, July 1 at 1:30 p.m., offering patrons a chance to enjoy an adventurous, family-friendly film in a relaxed setting. The Manchester Library hosts Dino-Mite Game Day later in the afternoon on Wednesday, July 1 at 3:30 p.m., inviting children to enjoy dinosaur-themed games and interactive activities that combine learning with play. Additionally, The North Adams Library will celebrate America 250 on Thursday, July 2 with the America 250 Trivia Competition at 2 p.m., which encourages participants to explore historical knowledge interactively.
Through a combination of summer meals for children and teens, recurring literacy programs, creative sessions, educational events, and social activities, the Adams County Public Library system continues to offer diverse opportunities for learning and engagement. Each branch contributes to a coordinated effort that supports families throughout the summer season and
fosters a strong sense of community connection across the county. Patrons can visit adamscolibrary.org or call the library for more library news: Manchester Library at 937-549-3359, North Adams Library at 937-386-2556, Peebles Library at 937-587-2085, and West Union Library at 937-544-2591