Date Correction:

North County Branch

Summer Reading Finale

We made a mistake and the North County Summer Reading Finale was incorrectly advertised in several places. Our sincere apologies!

The correct date for the North County Summer Reading Finale is Thursday, August 15.

Please see our online calendar for full details about this event.

$20,000 Donation Received from the Friends of the Kent County Public Library!

The Friends of the Kent County Public Library describe themselves as a group of people who "donate hearts, hands, and more to the library we love."

The Friends demonstrated the “and more” in mid-July when they presented Kent County Public Library with a check for $20,000 in unrestricted funds to contribute to the library's 2025 fiscal year budget.



If you would like to be a part of this fantastic organization, new Friends are always welcome! An annual Friends of the Library membership is $10 for individuals, $20 for families, $50 to receive a lovely tote bag, and $500 to become a lifetime member. Membership forms are available at all three KCPL locations.

Summer Reading:

Log Minutes & Enter Raffles

Don't forget that Saturday, August 10th is the last day to log your summer reading minutes and enter raffle drawings!

Find all the details in the Summer Reading section of this newsletter.

Changes to Borrowing from Out-of-State and Academic Libraries

Due to increases in postage costs, KCPL is no longer able to provide an unlimited number of borrows from out-of-state and academic libraries.

After the budget line for this type of borrowing is expended, a $5 fee to cover postage may be applied to each item that is borrowed from outside of the Maryland public library system.

This fee only applies to this specific type of borrowing.

It will only apply if you choose to place a request for materials that are not available through Maryland public libraries and must be sent via USPS.

KCPL will not place this type of request without your consent.

You will be notified before this type of request is placed on your behalf and you will need to agree to move forward with the request.

This type of loan request cannot be canceled once it is placed.

Your account will be charged $5 when the item is successfully received. This fee will be assessed even if you do not pick up your hold.

Keep Scrolling

This email is jam-packed with info, including:

• Summer Reading Finales
• How to Enter Summer Raffles
• Free Tech Help
• And more!

Keep reading for details about these and other events!

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

Make Sure You See It All

Did you know that some email services are set to not load full emails when they're long or full of images?

If you reach the end 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!

One Maryland One Book, a project of Maryland Humanities, aims to bring communities together through the shared experience of reading, discussing, and exploring the themes in a single book.

This year's book selection is What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J.A. Chancy.

From the synopsis:

"Brilliantly crafted, fiercely imagined, and deeply haunting, What Storm, What Thunder is a singular, stunning record, a reckoning of the heartbreaking trauma of disaster, and—at the same time—an unforgettable testimony to the tenacity of the human spirit."

To place a hold on a copy of What Storm, What Thunder (available in multiple formats), visit our catalog.

Starting in mid-August, free paperback copies of What Storm, What Thunder will be available at all KCPL locations, while supplies last.

In September and October, as an official One Maryland One Book partner, KCPL will be offering programs to discuss and explore the book and its themes. Full details coming soon!

One Maryland One Book is a program of Maryland Humanities.

We're Getting Closer to 1,000,000 Minutes!

What a summer it's been for reading!

As of Tuesday, July 30, an impressive 750,281 reading minutes have been logged.

Our ambitious summer goal is to collectively read 1,000,000 minutes. We know that some of our readers wait until the end of the summer and log all their minutes at once, so we expect to see the count grow by leaps and bounds in the next few days. Will it be enough to reach 1,000,000 minutes? We'll know very soon. In the meantime, keep on reading – every minute counts.

Readers, you have until August 10 at 11:59pm EST to log your minutes in Beanstack.

If you'd like help entering your minutes, please talk with library staff before the library closes on Saturday, August 10.

Enter Your Raffle Tickets!

If you've earned raffle tickets in an Adventure Begins at Your Library reading challenge this summer, don't forget to enter the drawings for amazing prizes!

All raffle tickets must be assigned to individual raffle drawings by 11:59pm EST on August 10 in order for you to be entered to win.

To view raffle prizes and make your entries:

1. Use the Beanstack app or the Beanstack website.
2. Look under the "Ticket Drawings" section of your reading challenge.
3. Make sure all your reading minutes are entered.
4. Make your raffle selections made by 11:59pm EST on August 10.

If you'd like help with this or if you have questions, make sure you talk with library staff before the library closes on Saturday, August 10.

Summer Reading Survey

We're curious to hear about your summer reading experience!

Please take 3 minutes to tell us about it.

Summer Reading Events at KCPL

This year's summer reading theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library!

Programs for All Ages

This summer, we have weekly programs for all age groups — kids, teens, and adults — as well as storytime for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. 

Please check the age group when choosing programs to attend to ensure it is a good match!

Registration

Some programs are drop-in, but others require registration due to limited supplies or space. Register online, over the phone, or in-person at any KCPL location. Program registration opens 3 weeks before the date of each program.

Locations

Programs will take place at KCPL branches and at off-site locations. Some are being held more than once, so double-check the time and location!

Changes & Cancelations

We don’t anticipate canceling any programs, but sometimes the unexpected happens! Any changes or cancelations will be posted to our online calendar. You can also give us a call to confirm whether a program is happening.



Week 7: July 29 - August 3

Up, Up, and Away

Feed the Birds

Help your local seed-eating feathered friends fill up, by creating a one-of-a-kind eco-friendly bird feeder. Registration required.

Rock Hall Civic Center

Wednesday, July 31 • 11am • all ages

Chestertown Branch

Thursday, August 1 • 4pm • all ages

Mother Goose Preschool Storytime 

A special Mother Goose storytime!

North County Branch

Thursday, August 1 • 10am • ages 2-5

Exquisite Corpse Paints the Town

There will be music and laughter at this fast-paced collaborative painting program! In this artistic twist on the game Exquisite Corpse, you’ll end up with a modern masterpiece to take home. Registration required.

Chestertown Branch

Thursday, August 1 • 6pm • adults (ages 18+)



Week 8: August 5 - August 10

Wonders Beneath the Earth

Rock Your World: Gems, Geodes, and Geology

Pan for gems, crack open a geode, explore the world of gemstones and minerals, and discover the secrets of cave systems near and far.

North County Branch

Tuesday, August 6 • 2pm • ages 5-12

Rock Hall Civic Center

Wednesday, August 7 • 11am • ages 5-12

Chestertown Branch

Thursday, August 8 • 4pm • ages 5-12

GeoGenius Showdown 

Join us for the ultimate geology game show! Dive into Earth's mysteries, conquer challenges, and become a rockstar to win the elusive mystery prize – something truly out of this world! Registration required. 

Chestertown Branch

Tuesday, August 6 • 6pm • teens (ages 13-17)

Craft Your Story: Birthday Bash

Discover the art of gemology, learn the history of birthstones, and create a keepsake treasure reflecting your unique story. Registration required. 

Chestertown Branch

Thursday, August 8 • 6pm • adults (ages 18+)



Week 9: August 12 - August 17

One Last Adventure

All Ages Summer Reading Finale:

Featuring Magician Mike Rose

Magician Mike Rose returns to KCPL for a magical wrap-up of the 2024 summer reading adventure! Join us to celebrate with magic, free giveaways, and more at this all ages summer reading finale.

Hang out with friends, enjoy snacks, tell us what you loved about summer reading, and let magician Mike Rose take you on an amazing magical adventure.



All ages from babies to adults are welcome!

Rock Hall Civic Center

Wednesday, August 14 • 11am • all ages

Galena Town Park

Thursday, August 15 • 2pm • all ages

Chestertown Branch

Saturday, August 17 • 11am • all ages

Summer Reading raffle prize winners will be announced at the Chestertown Branch Finale on Saturday, August 17. You do not need to be present to win.



Technology Basics

Need some help learning the basics of technology? Got a new device and you're not sure where to start? Free help is available at the library!

Let us help you learn how to:

• feel confident using your phone, tablet, or laptop
• navigate the internet, email, or social media
• use KCPL's computers, mobile hotspots, and Digital Library

Tech Help Drop-Ins

Drop-in sessions are available on a first come first served basis.

Chestertown Branch

Most Mondays | 11am-1pm

Tech Help Appointments

Tech Help appointments are also available at all KCPL locations. Please use the appointment scheduler or call 410.778.3636 for more information.

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

Preschool • Ages 3-5

11am Mondays | Rock Hall

10am Tuesdays | Chestertown

10am Thursdays | North County

Baby & Toddler • Ages 0-2 

11am Tuesdays | Chestertown

11am Thursdays | North County

The last summer storytime is Thursday, August 15.

After this session, Storytime will be on break until October.

Special Storytime Events

Mother Goose Preschool Storytime

North County Branch

Thursday, August 1 • 10am • ages 2-5

Storytime in the Park

Rock Hall Civic Center

Monday, August 5 • 11am • ages 2-5

Wilmer Park

Tuesday, August 6 • 10am • ages 2-5

Galena Town Park

Thursday, August 8 • 10am • ages 2-5

Book Donation Days

More donation dates for the spring and summer have been added! Beginning mid-May, the Friends will once again welcome donations of books and other materials for their next used book sale.

Donation Days

Tuesdays | 12pm-4pm

Until the end of August (or until storage space is full)

Chestertown Branch

Saturday, August 24 | 10am-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

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!

Finance Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 13 | 2pm

Virtual

Board of Trustees Meetings

There will be no Board of Trustees meeting in August.

For more details about upcoming meetings, including the meeting agenda and virtual meeting link, please visit our online calendar.

The agenda for each meeting is posted at least 24 hours before the meeting.

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

STAY CONNECTED