What to watch: Midland County Public Libraries are kicking off an epic summer of discovery with the “Unearth a Story” Summer Reading Program, a lineup of dinosaur-themed activities tied to the Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice exhibit at Centennial Library, exciting guest storytellers and musicians, Jurassic escape room adventures, and family movie nights.

The big picture: In addition to many of the June activities, Midland Libraries, in partnership with the West Texas Food Bank, are also offering free Library Lunches for kids aged 18 and younger at the Downtown Library. Lunches are served Monday through Friday from 12-1 p.m., with a snack available from 3:30-4 p.m. in the children’s activity room. No registration required.

Summer reading & exhibit highlights

• “Unearth a Story” Summer Reading Challenge (all ages) — Now through July 24
  Sign up for reading challenges, track minutes, and earn prizes like brag tag bracelets, stickers, charms, plush toys, and more. Ties directly into the dinosaur exhibit and weekly programs.

• Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice exhibit (all ages) — Now through September 12
  Hands-on, interactive Cretaceous-period exploration perfect for families.

Special guests, performers & presentations

• Tio Toto, Musician (June 10 at DT 11 a.m. and CT 1:30 p.m.)

• Science Spectrum: Animal Astronauts (June 16 at DT 11 a.m. and CT 1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.)

• Team Reptile (June 23 at DT 11 a.m. and CT 1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.)

• Ramblin’ Rita, Storyteller (June 29 at DT 11 a.m. and CT 1:30 p.m.)

Movies, evenings & special events

• Friday Flix – movie screenings at both locations:
  • The Good Dinosaur (June 5, 1–3 p.m.)
  • Paddington in Peru (June 12, 1–3 p.m.)
  • How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action) (June 19, 1–3 p.m.)
  • Zootopia 2 (June 26, 1–3 p.m.)
  • Paw Patrol: The Movie (Tuesday, June 30, 1–3 p.m.)

• Jurassic Escape! Library Escape Room Adventure (June 12, 2-5 p.m. & June 13, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at DT)

• Celebrate America250! with Daughters of the American Revolution (June 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at CT)

Dinosaur-themed crafts & activities

• Dinosaur Prints in Play Dough (June 3, 1:30 p.m. at CT, June 9, 11 a.m. at DT)

• Craft-A-Saurus Button Art (June 3, 11 a.m. at DT, June 9, 1:30 p.m. at CT)

• Hatching Helpers (June 17, 11 a.m. at DT, June 24, 1:30 p.m. at CT)

• Dinosaurs Fire and Ice: Stamp it Out (June 17, 1:30 p.m. at CT, June 24, 11 a.m. at DT)

Early literacy & recurring programs

• Play with POLLY (interactive play sessions) — Every Wednesday at DT, 10-11:30 a.m.

• POLLY in the park — Every Monday and Thursday morning, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • June 4 – Wadley Barron Park
  • June 8 – Kiwanis Park
  • June 11 – Washington Park
  • June 15 – Opportunity Park
  • June 18 – C.J. Kelly Park
  • June 22 – Hill Park
  • June 26 – Tumbleweed Park
  • June 29 – Hildago Park

• Fine Motor Mondays — Every Monday at DT, 10:30 a.m. Self-led play with blocks and hands-on activities to build creativity and motor skills.

• Guest Story Times Every Thursday, 11 a.m., featuring partners such as:
  • Crisis Center (June 4 at DT; June 18 at CT)
  • Midland Festival Ballet (June 4 & 11 at CT; June 11 & 25 at DT)
  • Sibley Nature Center (June 11 at CT; June 25 at DT)

Adult & teen programs

• Making Mini Books (June 4, 5:30 p.m. at CT, registration required)
• Palette Club: Artist Trading Club (June 5, 1:30 p.m.; June 11, 5:30 p.m. at CT)
• Beyond the Exhibit Book Club – Knight vs. Dinosaurs (June 8, 1 p.m. at CT)
• Page Turners Book Club – Jurassic Park (June 8, 5:30 p.m. at CT)
• Self Defense for Women (June 12, 4:30 p.m. at CT, registration required)
• Blackout Poems (June 18, 5:15 p.m. at DT)
• That Clipboard is Dino-Mite! (June 19, 4:30 p.m. at CT)
• Prehistoric Pots (June 25, 5 p.m. at DT)
• Dinosaurs Fire and Ice: Terrariums (June 27, 1 p.m. at CT)

What’s next: All events are free and open to the public. For any updates, full details, exact times, and locations, visit co.midland.tx.us/1029/Public-Libraries.