Summer is in full swing and while we want you to get outside and enjoy the weather, we have lots of fun things to keep you busy this summer at the library! From reading challenges to exploring the community on one of our bikes, we have some fun in store for everyone of all ages.
Keep reading to find out all the fun ways you can spend time at the library this summer!
Join a Summer Reading Challenge
Want to put your reading skills to the test this summer for a chance to win a fabulous prize? Check out our list below of Summer Reading Challenges!
- Bridges Journey of Dragons Challenge: Adventure your way around Wisconsin to visit libraries, gather letters and stamps, then piece together passwords to unlock the magic of the dragons left behind. This library challenge is open to all patrons in the Bridges Library System. Each completed realm offers an entry to the raffle, which takes place once a month. This means you have up to 4 chances to win! Click here for more information on the Bridges Library Challenge.
- Youth Reading Challenge: Level up at your library this summer! Children under 12 can participate in our summer reading challenge. Participants will be given a learning log to win prizes! The learning log is combined with different activity pages as well as reading log pages. On the reading log pages, children will read for 15 minutes to earn a symbol for each level, and once each level is completed they can come in for a prize for finishing the page. The activity pages feature a "Choose your own adventure" style activity where children can pick from the listed activities. Once all the activities on the page have been completed, children can come in for a prize! Pages can be completed in any order and once completed, can be brought to the library for a prize. Since there are 7 pages in the learning log, participants can win up to 7 prizes this summer! For more information about our Youth Summer Reading Challenge, please visit the Youth Services Reference Desk on the 1st floor.
- Teen Summer Reading Challenge: Did someone say Bingo? Teens ages 12-18 with an active Bridges Library System card are able to participate in our bingo summer reading challenge. Teens will automatically get a prize and sticker for signing up for the challenge. Complete activities on the bingo sheet to get 5 bingo squares in a row, granting you one ticket for the raffle prizes. This includes 5 in a row horizontal, vertical, and diagonally. You can complete up to 5 bingos, meaning 5 chances to win one of our awesome prizes! For more information about our Teen Summer Reading Challenge, please visit the Adult Services Reference desk on the 2nd floor.
The youth and teen summer reading challenges run from June 2nd- August 29th.
Explore the Area with an Experience Pass
What better time to get our and explore your local communities than during the summer sunshine? At NBPL, we offer free passes for checkout to local attractions. Some of our passes include places like Betty Brinn's Children Museum, Bookworm Gardens, Milwaukee Art Museum, WI State Parks, and more! Our experience passes are available to check out for 2 days during the summer months.
Reminder that patrons can only check out passes in-person at the Circulation Desk.
View a full list of our Experience Passes
Enjoy the Outdoors with the Library of Things
Alright you get it, we want you to enjoy the gorgeous weather while we have it! Not sure how to spend that time outside? Browse our Library of Things collection, which is exactly how it sounds. Here you'll find fun summer activities you can do outside like sports equipment, kits to take to the beach, giant outdoor games, camping gear, and pretty much anything under the sun!
View our full Library of Things
Borrow a Bicycle
Looking for a hot new set of wheels? Borrow one of our bikes! Get in a good workout or take a leisurely ride with your loved ones. We have bikes available to checkout for children and adults.
Our bicycles currently have a 3 day checkout time.