Reading Challenge Raffle Drawings

If you're logging reading minutes and activities in the Unearth a Story Summer Reading Challenge, you earn a raffle ticket every time you receive a badge.

Don't forget to enter your tickets for the items you want to win! You can do this through Beanstack or by asking library staff for help.

Raffle drawings will be held on:

• August 4th
• September 1st

To be eligible to win, you must enter your raffle tickets by 11:59pm the day before the drawing.

Community Reading Goal Update

At the beginning of the summer, KCPL set a community reading goal, challenging our summer readers to work together to read and log at least 500,000 minutes.

As of July 27, KCPL's summer readers have collectively earned and logged 527,920 minutes this summer!

This means that Kent County Public Library will buy and donate new books to the media center at the Kent County Middle School. These books will be selected based on input from students at the school.

But don't stop now! If our readers reach the stretch goals of 750,000 and 1,000,000, even more books will be donated!

Apply to Be a Library Trustee

The Board of Trustees of the Kent County Public Library is now accepting applications! 

If you are a Kent County resident who is enthusiastic about the library and interested in helping plan for its future, please consider applying. More details can be found in the Trustee section of this newsletter and on our website.

How To Apply:

• Download an application or pick one up in person at any KCPL location
• Submit your application by August 31, 2026

Don't Miss Out

Some email services are set to not fully load long emails.

If you reach the bottom of this email and see text that says "Message clipped" make sure you click the "View entire message" link so you don't miss out on library news!

This email is full of info about many upcoming events, including links for registration.

To see all upcoming events at a glance, you can also visit KCPL's online calendar.

Summer Reading 2026: Unearth a Story

Readers of all ages are invited to register for KCPL’s Summer Reading challenge! After you register, complete activities and log reading minutes to earn summer reading challenge badges and win prizes.

Upcoming Summer Events

Our summer program line-up has something for everyone – adults, teens, and kids! Some events are drop-in, while others require registration. Program registration opens 3 weeks before the date of each program.

Mindfulness Tasting Menu 

Dr. Michele Clapp leads an interactive journey where you’ll sample tools and techniques for mindfulness and creating a sense of calm in a busy world. Registration required.

Chestertown Branch 

Saturday, August 1 | 10:30am | adult 

Dinosaur Masks 

Create an amazing mask and use the power of your imagination to be transformed into a dinosaur when you wear it! Registration required. 

Rock Hall Branch

Monday, August 3 | 11am | ages 1-5 

Prehistoric Jewelry 

Create a one-of-a-kind necklace or bracelet using fossils, shells, and gems. Registration required.

Chestertown Branch 

Monday, August 3 | 5pm | ages 13-17 

Happiness Hour: Rock Candy 

Happiness Hour is a time for grown-ups to explore their powers of creativity. Featured Project: Rock Candy. Registration required. 

North County Branch

Tuesday, August 4 | 11am | adult 

Gem Discovery 

Crack open a geode, dig for gems, and learn about different types of precious stones. Registration required. 

Rock Hall Branch 

Wednesday, August 5 | 11am | ages 6-12 

Chestertown Branch 

Wednesday, August 5 | 4pm | ages 6-12 

North County Branch 

Friday, August 7 | 3pm | ages 6-12 

Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party Book Discussion 

Join us for a light dinner and lively discussion of Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party: How An Eccentric Group of Victorians Discovered Prehistoric Creatures and Accidentally Upended the World by Edward Dolnick. 

Chestertown Branch

Wednesday, August 5 | 5pm | adult 

Summer Movie Matinees

Join us at Flagship Cinemas for morning movie matinees! Registration required.

Flagship Cinemas | 21 Washington Square, Chestertown

The Good Dinosaur

Thursday, August 6 | 10am



Milkshake Duo Storytime Concert 

A joyful, interactive musical storytime concert!

North County Branch 

Thursday, August 6 | 10:30am | ages 0-5 

Finale Events

National Aquarium: Sharks! 

The National Aquarium presents about the fascinating, unique, and intelligent animals that have been at the top of the ocean food chain since prehistoric times!

The Mainstay 

Monday, August 10 | 3pm | all ages 

DINO-Magic with Magician Mike Rose 

Magician Mike Rose returns to KCPL with impossible magic tricks and off the wall comedy. 

North County Branch 

Thursday, August 13 | 3pm | all ages 

Book Out Cook Out 

Celebrate the end of summer reading at an all-ages family-friendly cook out featuring free food, face painting, inflatables, music, summer reading prizes, and more! Music provided by Snowday, a high-energy quintet that combines well-known pop-rock with music education. 

Wilmer Park 

Saturday, August 15 | 4-6pm | all ages 

Rain Date: Saturday, August 22 

Come On Down! 

Come on down for an unforgettable game‑show–inspired event that brings the excitement of The Price Is Right® to life. Whether you’re competing or cheering from the crowd, this celebration is the perfect, prize‑packed way to complete your summer reading journey. Visit our online calendar or talk with staff for full details about eligibility to be a contestant. Registration required.

Chestertown Branch 

Friday, August 21 | 6pm | adult 

Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party Book Discussion 

Chestertown Branch

Wednesday, August 5 | 5pm

The Page Turners

Rock Hall Branch

Friday, August 14 | 2:30pm

Join us to read stories, sing songs, dance, laugh, and have lots of fun!

Preschool Storytime

Ages 3-5



Chestertown Branch

10am Tuesdays

North County Branch

10:30am Thursdays

Baby & Toddler Storytime 

Ages 0-2

Chestertown Branch

11am Tuesdays

North County Branch

11:30am Thursdays

Summer Storytime

The Summer Storytime session ends on August 13.

Beyond Summer

Storytime will be on break for the month of September while staff plan and prep for fall programming.

In October, the Fall Storytime session will launch with a new schedule of programs!

Book Donation Days

The Friends are currently taking donations of books and other materials in good to excellent condition that are sellable and meet the criteria below.

Upcoming Donation Days

Tuesdays, 12pm-4pm

Chestertown Branch

What can you donate?

Items in good to excellent condition that are sellable and meet the Friends' criteria. 

The Friends are happy to accept the following items:

Yes, Please!

• Books
• Audiobooks on CD
• Music CDs
• DVDs
• Complete jigsaw puzzles
• Potentially valuable & rare books

The Friends cannot accept the following items:

No, Thank You!

• Textbooks
• Encyclopedias
• Magazines
• VHS tapes
• Books with water damage
• Books smelling of smoke
• Books smelling of mildew
• Books with insect damage
• Books with pet damage

Show Your Support

Since 1973, the Friends have helped make it possible for KCPL to meet the needs of the community.

We are grateful for their continued support and want to invite you to support the Friends!

Become a Friend

For as little as $10 a year, you can become a member of this group of library supporters.

Volunteer opportunities, including serving on the Friends' Board, are also available.

The Friends of the Kent County Public Library is a nonprofit organization that serves and promotes Kent County Public Library. Friends:

• donate hearts, hands, and more to the library they love
• help the community by encouraging literacy
• raise money for library needs not covered by the library budget
• provide enriching cultural programs
• raise awareness about the wonderful resources available at the library

Apply to Join the Friends' Board!

Eligibility

You must be a member of the Friends of the Kent County Public Library. If you are not currently a member of the Friends, you can join today! Membership information is available at all KCPL locations.

Applications are especially encouraged from people who are interested in:  Fundraising  |  Event Planning  |  Advocacy  | Literacy

Opportunities

• Guide the future of the Friends
• Assist with coordinating book sales
• Support the annual membership drive
• Play a part in launching and sustaining new initiatives

Expectations

• Attend monthly Board meetings, held at KCPL’s Chestertown Branch
• Be an enthusiastic advocate for Kent County Public Library

How to Apply

• Download an application at kentcountylibrary.org or pick one up at any KCPL branch
• Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled

Apply to Be a Library Trustee

Are you enthusiastic about Kent County Public Library’s continued ability to create and sustain innovative and responsive services for the community? Are you able to commit to volunteering your time and energy to support the future of the library? If so, please consider applying to join the Board of Trustees! 

The Board of Trustees of the Kent County Public Library is currently seeking applications to fill two positions: 

Appointed Trustee 

This position serves for a 5-year term, which begins January 1, 2027. The appointed Trustee will be eligible to continue serving for a second 5-year term.

Student Trustee 

This newly created position will serve a term which begins in the fall of 2026 and ends June 30, 2027. 

Applicants must be Kent County residents and should be passionate about supporting the creation and sustainability of library services that meet the needs of the entire community. Members of the Board should represent the diversity of Kent County, demographically and geographically. 

Join a Meeting

To learn more about how decisions that shape the library's future are made, join the Board of Trustees for a meeting!

Information about upcoming Board meetings is available on KCPL's calendar.

The agenda for each meeting is posted to the calendar entry at least 24 hours before regularly scheduled meetings.

Meetings of the Board of Trustees are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

Kent County Public Library | kentcountylibrary.org | 410.778.3636

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