The DINO-rific “Unearth a Story” Summer Reading Program is in full swing at the Montgomery City Public Library! Thank you to everyone who is participating in the reading challenge, attending programs and volunteering their time to help make these special events possible.
June programming has been a tremendous success. Our summer reading kickoff celebration on National Dinosaur Day was both entertaining and educational. Patrons also enjoyed Pastiche Night, where participants showcased their creativity by reimagining a patriotic work of art.
Dinosaur Encounter Day was one of the biggest summer reading events in MCPL history, drawing more than 185 participants. We were thrilled to welcome Keri DeWitt of E3 Dinosaur Encounters, who shared fascinating dinosaur facts and led a variety of hands-on activities. Meeting Rocky the Dinosaur was a highlight for many attendees. Special thanks go to the volunteers who helped unload and load equipment, as well as those who assisted with the dinosaur presentations throughout the day.
Chef Bananas also delighted audiences with an unforgettable performance filled with comedy, magic tricks, games and audience participation. The magic word for this program was reading! Together, participants created a dinosaur-themed masterpiece using the Art-o-Matic. One of the crowd favorites was meeting Bananasaurus Rex, which is a giant yellow banana complete with a T. rex head and feet!
Mud pies, mud painting and muddy fun filled International Mud Day. Participants enjoyed playing in the mud, creating mud pies, painting with mud, conducting mud experiments and enjoying a “muddy” snack. Thank you to the volunteers who helped make this annual event another success.
Many families also enjoyed our “We’re Back” movie night on June 6. MCPL will host an interactive movie night at 7 p.m. on July 11 in the Community Room. This time, participants will enjoy “National Treasure” with fun props and interactive activities. Just bring a comfortable chair—we’ll provide everything else.
July is packed with exciting programs for all ages. Teens can create altered-art dinosaurs on Monday, July 6, from 2 p.m.–4 p.m., while adults can make fossil paintings on Tuesday, July 14, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Registration is required for both programs.
Miss Katie will lead summer reading programs on Monday, July 13 and July 27, at MCPL. Programs for babies through preschoolers begin at 10 a.m., while school-aged children (ages 6–11) are invited to attend the 2 p.m. sessions.
Our friend Reading Rita will visit on Friday, July 10, at 10 a.m. with an entertaining and educational presentation about dinosaurs and fossils for children ages preschool through 11.
Christmas in July will take place on Saturday, July 25, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children ages 0–12 are invited to enjoy festive activities and a special visit from Santa. Registration is required.
Adults are also invited to attend the Tea Party with a Twist on Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Guests are welcome to wear tea-party attire, although it is not required. This fun and unique evening event requires registration.
Participants of all ages can still join the summer reading challenge by logging reading minutes and completing activities for chances to win prizes. Raffle prizes include a dinosaur ottoman for young children, a Jurassic World LEGO set and books for school-aged children, a $50 Amazon gift card for teens and a Jurassic-themed entertainment basket for adults.
All summer reading events are free and open to the public. A library card is not required to attend, and participants do not need to be registered for the reading challenge to enjoy the programs.
July events at MCPL:
• July 6 (2:00–4:00 pm) – Teen Craft: Altered Art Dinosaurs *Must register.
• July 10 (10:00 am) – Reading Rita (ages preschool through 11)
• July 11 (7:00 pm) – Interactive Movie Night featuring “National Treasure” (all ages)
• July 13 (10 am & 2 pm)– Library Programs for ages 0–5 at 10:00 am and ages 6–11 at 2:00 pm
• July 14 (2:00–4:00 pm) – Adult Craft: Fossil Painting *Must register.
• July 25 (11:00 am–12:30 pm) – Christmas in July (ages 0-12) *Must register.
• July 27 (10 am & 2 pm)– Library Programs for ages 0–5 at 10:00 am and ages 6–11 at 2:00 pm
• July 30 (7:00 pm) – Adult Tea Party with a Twist *Must register.
The 2026 summer reading project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. The Montgomery City Public Library would like to thank the Missouri State Library for awarding grant funding to support books and performers for the 2026 Summer Reading Program.