Summer Reading in Southern Cayuga — “Adventure Begins at the Aurora Free Library” Summer 2024

Reading Logs

» Download your Summer Reading & Challenge Log here!

There are 3 ways you can earn a certificate for an ice cream cone at CREAM AT THE TOP this year!

  1. Keep reading books this summer! This includes library books, personal books, e-books, and audio books. Color a circle for each 15 minutes you read. After you color 20 circles come to Aurora or Hazard Library to get your certificate.
  2. Take the Summer Challenge! Complete each of the 10 challenges and then come to Aurora or Hazard Library to get your certificate.
  3. Attend some library programs. After you attend 5 programs come to Aurora or Hazard Library to get your certificate.

PLEASE RETURN YOUR LOG to Aurora or Hazard Library by the end of August OR to your SCCS teacher in September for a special prize!

» Rules and Events Schedule for Aurora & Hazard Libraries – English & Español

Teen & Adult Summer Reading Fun

Grade 7 to Adult

July 1 — August 10th

Each time you read or listen to a book, fill out a slip when you visit the library (books do not have to be library books) and be entered into our weekly drawings for gift cards, prizes or an ice cream cone from Cream at the Top!

The more books you read, the greater your chances!

All entries will be entered into a final drawing for a $50 Gift Card!!!

Tween Graphic Novel Book Club

Escape to the Library for Tween Book Club featuring two great graphic novels!

On July 11th, the club will discuss the graphic novel adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief! We will also create Camp Half-Blood Beads and munch on snacks fit for a Demigod.

Be sure to join us for the movie the next day, July 12th!

On August 8th, the club will discuss Freestyle by Gale Galligan. We will also be making our own zines, and of course enjoying snacks.

Both club meetings will be at 6:30 PM.

Ages 9 to 12. Stop by the Aurora Free Library to reserve your spot and pick up a copy of the books.

Monday STEAM  & Wednesday Sensory Adventures

Monday STEAM Adventures

Every Monday from July 8th through August 5th for kids age 6-12! Each program runs 2 – 3 PM.

Join us at the library each week for a new adventure filled with STEAM Challenges, hands-on activities, and lots of cool projects to take home.

 

Wednesday Sensory Adventures

Designed for kids from birth to age 5, every Wednesday in July at 10 AM!

Each week there will be new activities and adventures for our littlest patrons to explore with their caregivers and families.

Children will enjoy open-ended playtime in a relaxed atmosphere that promotes exploration, learning and socialization.

Enjoy meeting other young families in our community!

Other Information

Become a Summer Library Volunteer!

Do you have some spare time to lend an extra hand at our upcoming summer events?

If so, please reach out to Library Assistant Kathy Kirk at kkirk@aurorafreelibrary.org, call the library at 315-364-8074, or stop by in person!

FLX Library Road Trip

This summer, between July 1 and August 31, Finger Lakes Library System libraries throughout Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins counties welcome people of all ages to participate in the FLX Library Road Trip program.

This free, fun, family-friendly event encourages everyone to visit as many of the 33 FLLS libraries as they like throughout the summer months, picking up souvenirs along the way. Learn about and participate in the different programs and services each library offers to its community. To start your trip, visit any FLLS library to pick up a Road Trip Map. Follow FLLS and your local library on social media for tips and tricks to exploring the area and enjoying libraries.

» More Information

A special thank you to the sponsors that make this year’s Summer Reading program possible!

  • The Rosen Library Fund
  • Cream at the Top
  • Auburn Public Theater Regrants

Save these Important Dates!

  • Route 90 Book Sale » Last Weekend of July
  • Book Lovers’ Ball » October TBD…tickets go on sale later in the summer

Special Events

Kickoff & Tie Dye Fun

Join Create Kindness and the Aurora Free Library on Monday, July 1st at 6:30 for tie-dying, s’mores, and lawn games!

Register for summer reading, adopt a reading buddy and participate in other fun activities as well!

No worries if you didn’t register for tie-dying. Extra shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

STEAM Adventure: Tracking Bigfoot and Yeti

Be part of the Cryptid Research Team searching for the elusive Bigfoot and Yeti. Learn how to track creatures, design a Yeti cave, and try walking in Bigfoot’s BIG  FEET. Are you ready to spot Bigfoot?

Rev Theatre "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"

The Rev Theater Co. 2024 Summer Outreach Tour presents… The Boy Who Cried Wolf! Written by Josh Katzker.

Due to rain forecast this will be held at Aurora Free Library’s Morgan Opera House above the Library and NOT AT the Wells College Golf Course. 

When Jackie and Jamie get caught red-handed in a lie, Grandpa George decides to teach them an important lesson… and he knows the perfect story to do it — his own!

Children take on the roles of various villagers as the young shepherd George discovers that it takes dedication, responsibility, and honesty to protect his town’s flock from hungry wolves.

This performance is generously sponsored by Auburn Public Theater Regrants and the Village of Aurora and is free and open to the public.

Movie Night: Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief

Free, all ages welcome!

Watch the movie with your Demigod friends!

Find out your Camp Half-Blood Cabin!

Munch on YUMMY, “Blue” snacks!

Movie rated PG.

Hey Tweens! Don’t forget our Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief graphic novel book club on the day before, the 11th!

STEAM Adventure: Amazon Jungle

Trek on an Amazon Jungle expedition exploring the biodiversity of the rainforest. Craft a red-eyed tree frog that catches flies, design a flying butterfly, and measure the Giant Anaconda, if you dare!

Tom Knight Puppets

Join us for a fun evening of songs and puppetry by the one and only Tom Knight Puppets! FREE!
Tom Knight presents “The Library Boogie” musical puppet show at the Library.
The show celebrates libraries and reading, the environment, and science with hand-made puppets, funny stories, catchy songs, and a high degree of audience participation.
“Belly laughing and awestruck, children fall under the spell of [Tom Knight’s] puppets.”
– Molly Stapleton Sax, Museum of the Earth at Paleontological Research Institution
“With wonderful music, the content is charming, witty and irresistible.”
– Carol Hockett, Coordinator of School and Family Programs, Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University
“Affirming, empowering, and kid-friendly. Not only educational, thought-provoking.”
– Kirsten Martindale, School Library Journal
Funded by Auburn Public Theater Regrants

Camp Sing-Along & Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Bring your stuffed animal with you to enjoy the Camp Sing-Along, led by naturalist Mr. Benenati, and make a s’mores craft and trail mix.

Stuffed animals may camp over at the library. Their adventures will be photographed. Animals may be picked up the next day or the following week during library hours.

STEAM Adventure: Magical Creatures

Investigate magical creatures like dragons and unicorns. Did you ever wonder what a dragon egg looks like? Sculpt a dragon egg using precious jewels and trinkets from a dragon’s lair. Experiment with wizard potions and design a magical beast.

Dan the Snakeman

Dan the Snakeman returns this summer! Get up close to your favorite creatures after the show.
Held at the Wells College Golf Course! 
Rain Location: Aurora Free Library Morgan Opera House
FREE
Funded by Rosen Library Fund

Lego Club: Volcano Island & Zipline Challenge

Build a volcanic island. Design a zipline to sail your minifigure over the volcano before it erupts!

We provide the LEGO bricks! You provide the imagination!

Designed for ages 6 and up, but all ages welcome! Registration not required.

STEAM Adventure: Fossils

Did you know that long before dinosaurs, New York State was covered by an ancient ocean? Explore and handle fossils. Cast fossil creatures. Create a plushie of an extinct sea creature, the squid-like nautiloid.

Storycrafters "Catch the World by the Tale"

Award-winning, internationally renowned musical storytelling duo Jeri Burns and Barry Marshall, AKA The Storycrafters, will present a lively participatory family performance for the summer reading program.

In their whimsical dramatic style, The Storycrafters present fun, adventurous programs of traditional folktales from around the world, using musical instruments such as harp, percussion, and more.

They have been called, ‘Hilarious’, ‘Touching’, and ‘Top Notch Family Entertainment’ in press reviews of their performances in the 34 years that they have been working together. Come find out why!

FREE

Funded by Auburn Public Theater Regrants.

Family Book to Movie Club: Nim's Island

Nim’s Island: A girl, a sea lion, and an iguana on a secret tropical island adventure!

Families borrow a copy of Nim’s Island from the library to read together at home.

Then join us at the library on August 2 at 7 PM to watch the movie, followed by a short book to movie discussion.

The movie is rated PG.

STEAM Adventure: Pirate Adventure on the High Seas

Explore navigation and mapping as you design a treasure map. Crack secret codes to uncover the pirate booty. Learn pirate lingo along with your crafted pirate parrot by your side.

Teddy Bears' Picnic with the Bubbleman

Join us for our Annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic!

Bring a picnic lunch at noon. Featuring the beloved Bubbleman at 12:30!

All bears win a prize!

Funded by the Rosen Library Fund

Lego Club: Marble Maze Challenge

Design and build a Marble Maze!

We provide the LEGO bricks! You provide the imagination!

Designed for ages 6 and up, but all ages welcome! Registration not required.