🌱 Plant a Seed – Read! 🌻
2026 Summer Reading Program

June 1st through August 21st
We are so excited for our Summer Reading Program here at the Willmar Public Library!
Our theme this year is Plant a Seed, Read! It will run from June 1 through August 21,
and there will be programs for patrons of all ages. Read and attend events to earn prizes!
We will have a number of special events for children, teens, and adults throughout the summer
to keep everyone engaged in reading, learning, and staying active.
The more you read and participate, the better your chances are to earn one of our grand prizes!
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on our website for announcements and registration information.
Prizes and programs made possible with support from our sponsors:
Friends of the Willmar Public Library
Janning ENT
Jennie-O
Lulu Bean’s
Willmar Community Foundation
Prairielands Library Exchange
Healthy Fusion
MN Clean Water & Land Legacy Amendment
Marcus Construction

 

 

Wriggle and Read  Storytime

Wednesdays at 10 am
This program has stories, songs, and playtime for littles!
Best for kids 0-3.

 

 

ECFE at the Library

Friday, June 12 | 10:00 am
Sing songs, read books, and make crafts with
Willmar’s ECFE teachers!

 

 

Tween/Teen Container Gardening
with Sandy the U of M
Extension Master Gardener*

Tween/Teen Pizza Garden Planter
Friday, June 12 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading
this year. What better way to celebrate than by learning
how to garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Pizza Garden to take home with you in
a planter! The little container gardens will contain herbs
and tomatoes that you can use to make your own pizza when
things have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan
the correct amount of supplies. If this date and time do not
work for you, another session will be held June 24.
Register here for June 12 Pizza Garden

 

Tween/Teen Food & Flowers Garden Planter
Friday, June 12 | 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading this
year. What better way to celebrate than by learning how to
garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Food and Flowers Planter to take home with you in
a small container garden! The planters will contain
flowers and veggies that you can eat when things
have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan the
correct amount of supplies.
Register here for Food & Flowers Garden.

 

 

CLIMB Theatre:
Once Upon A Beanstalk

Tuesday, June 16 | 3:00 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Jack is a curious kid who loves adventures,
exploring, and digging up new ideas. When he
finds a magic bean, he plants it in hopes of
growing lots of food for his family. Much to
Jack’s surprise, it grows a giant beanstalk that
stretches all the way into the sky. Being the
adventurer he is, Jack climbs the beanstalk
and discovers the Land of the Giants. However,
in this new land, Jack just can’t keep his hands
to himself and keeps taking things that don’t
belong to him. With the help of the audience,
Jack learns to own up to his actions and plant
a SEED to succeed.

The interactive performance is around 35 minutes
long and is best suited for children up to 10 years old.

 

 

Tween/Teen Pizza Garden Planter
with Sandy the U of M Extension
Master Gardener*

Wednesday | June 24, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading
this year. What better way to celebrate than by learning
how to garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Pizza Garden Planter to take home with you in
a small container garden! The planters will contain herbs
and tomatoes that you can use to make your own pizza when
things have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan
the correct amount of supplies.
Register here for June 24 Pizza Garden Planter program

 

 

Screenprinting
& Seed Bombs

Thursday, June 25 | 3:00 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Local artist Maria Novak is here to teach us
about and help us do a little screenprinting,
along with some seed bomb construction!
To join in on the fun, make sure to register here
as space is limited. For ages 6-12. This program
was paid in full by a Legacy Amendment grant. 

 

 

Nature Storytime

Friday, June 26 | 10:00 am
Join us for a storytime about trees/flowers with
naturalist Savannah Stephenson from Sibley State Park!

 

 

LEGO Club

Wednesday, July 1 | 3:30 p.m.
Multipurpose Room
Test your creativity and skills! Join us for free-building
or use a kit to make a LEGO creation!

 

 

Children’s Matinee:
Hoppers

Friday, July 3 | 3:30 p.m.
“Wood” you look at that? We’ve got a hoppin’
good time scheduled for our matinee this
month with Hoppers!
Popcorn and lemonade will be provided! 

 

 

Dinosaurs, Fossils, and Science!

Tuesday, July 7 | 10:00 a.m.
at the Willmar Community Center
The Willmar Public Library and the Willmar Community Center
are coming together for a dino-tastic time with the
Science Museum of Minnesota! Come to the Community
Center on July 7th at 10:00am to explore how fossil
s get dug up, what we can learn by comparing bones,
and how scientists do science — with dinosaurs! After
the assembly, stay for the Dino Desk activity, where
you can get up close with fun dinosaur and fossil
specimens from the Science Museum during a
facilitated tabling session.

 

 

Mandana’s ABC Extravaganza

Friday, June 10 | 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Mandana delights both children and adults with her
combination of impressive balloon sculptures, speed
twisting, great sense of humor, and fun personality!
She talks about the USDA MYPlate Nutrition guide
and will have balloon creations representing the
5 food groups. Interacting with the audience, she will ask
questions and educate. Volunteers will be called up to dance
to the ALIVE WITH 5 (food groups) song. Audience
members will be dancing, taking home cool balloon art –
all while learning!
Mandana is an international award-winning balloon
artist with over 17 years of experience in providing
first-class balloon entertainment!
This program is made possible by a grant provided by
Pioneerland Library System and was funded in part
with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural
Heritage Fund

 

 

Tales and Tails

Tuesday, July 14 | 10:00a.m.
Multipurpose Room
Join us for a special event with Hawk Creek Animal Shelter!
We’ll read, talk about animal care, and hang out
with some cuddly pets together!

 

 

 

 

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