Summer Reading 2025
This year's theme is Color Our World!
Using our Beanstack app you can log books and submit reviews for everything you read this summer and complete fun activities for a chance to win prizes.
YS System Summer 2025 Programs
Below are special library events for children across the county. Click links below or call the branch to register.
Programs below are for children ages 0-12 and their families. Please check the age range of individual events to find events for your family.
NJ Snakeman
Live Animal Shows!
Tropical Birds
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
- Point Borough Branch @ 2:30pm
- Berkeley Branch @ 6:00pm
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
- Lacey Branch @ 10:30am
- Point Beach Branch @ 2:00pm
- Manchester Branch @ 6:00pm
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
- Plumsted Branch @ 2:00pm
- Lakewood Branch @ 6:30pm
Snakes and Reptiles
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
- Brick Branch @ 6:00pm
Paint Class with Lil Monsters Art
Join artist and teacher Jamie Jarka of Lil Monsters Art for a painting lesson on canvas.
Monday, June 30, 2025
- Toms River Branch @ 10:30am
- Point Borough Branch @ 2:30pm
- Tuckerton Branch @ 6:00pm
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
- Lacey Branch @ 10:30am
- Jackson Branch @ 2:30pm
- Brick Branch @6:00pm
Fun with Fashion Workshop
Play fashion games and design clothes on a paper fashion figure.
Monday, June 30, 2025
- Manchester Branch @ 6:00pm
Monday, August 6, 2025
- Waretown Branch @ 6:00pm
Thursday, August 28. 2025
- Stafford Branch @ 6:00pm
Ron Albanese’s Sunshine and Good Times library show!
Join in to sing, dance, and laugh along! It’s going to be the show of the summer!
Monday, July 7, 2025
- Beachwood Branch @ 10:30am
- Island Heights Branch @ 2:30pm
- Tuckerton Branch @ 6:00pm
Saturday July 26, 2025
- Waretown Branch @ 11:30am
Andrew’s Big Show
Join us for a fun for all ages, one-man-comedy and circus show.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
- Plumsted Branch @ 10:30am
- Lakewood Branch @ 2:30am
- Point Borough Branch @ 6:00pm
Unique Creatures
Meet and learn about some of the most interesting live animals from all over the world!
Monday, July 21, 2025
- Upper Shores Branch @ 12:00pm
- Jackson Branch @ 2:30pm
- Brick Branch @ 4:30pm
The Bubblevaders From Outer Space!
Presto Pete and Incredulous Chris let loose a starfield of bubbles for kids to pop and have fun with!
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- Waretown Branch @ 10:30am
- Berkeley Branch @ 2:30pm
- Lakewood Branch @ 6:00pm
Big Beats with Red House Music
Let’s play some beats! Learn the basics of bucket drumming.
Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Upper Shores Branch @ 10:30am
- Lakewood Branch @ 2:30pm
Dinoman
A dinosaur program filled with facts, fun, and magic. Oh and life-size dinosaurs!
Thursday, August 8, 2025
- Berkeley Branch @ 10:30am
- Point Borough Branch @ 2:30pm
- Barnegat Branch @ 6:00pm
Roxey Ballet
A ballet performance that tells the story of a child lost at a zoo who encounters various animals as she seeks her way home.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
- Manchester Branch @ 10:30am
- Long Beach Island Branch @ 2:30pm
- Little Egg Harbor Branch @ 6:00pm
Kids Yoga
Interactive yoga classes for children with Rebecca.
Little Yogi + Me (ages 2-4)
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
- Barnegat Branch @ 10:30am
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
- Little Egg Harbor Branch @ 10:30am
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
- Upper Shores Branch @ 10:30am
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
- Stafford Branch @ 10:30am
Kids Yoga (ages 5-12)
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
- Island Heights Branch @ 10:30am
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
- Plumsted Branch @ 10:30am
Premier Picnic & Party Workshops
Learn to juggle, paint, make a teddy bear, and make balloon animals with Debby Pease of Premier Picnic & Party.
Balloon Animal Workshop
Friday, August 1, 2025
- Island Heights Branch @ 2:30pm
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
- Jackson Branch @ 11:00am
Thursday, August 14, 2025
- Barnegat Branch @ 6:00pm
Juggling Workshop
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
- Point Beach Branch @ 2:30pm
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
- Toms River Branch @ 6:00pm
Magic Workshop
Thursday, July 24, 2025
- Little Egg Harbor Branch @ 10:30am
- Long Beach Island Branch @ 2:30pm
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
- Manchester Branch @ 6:30pm
Pallet Painting Workshop
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
- Brick Branch @ 2:00pm
Monday, August 18, 2025
- Brick Branch @ 6:00pm
Sign Painting Workshop
Friday, August 1, 2025
- Beachwood Branch @ 11:00am
Teddy Bear Workshop
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- Brick Branch @ 6:00pm
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
- Island Heights Branch @ 10:30am
Balloon Zoo Storytime
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
- Manchester Branch @ 9:30am
- Manchester Branch @ 10:30am
YA System Summer 2025 Programs
Basic Weaving with Nonny Creates
Get creative and go green. Join us for a fun, hands-on weaving workshop where we’ll turn recycled and recyclable materials into something beautiful while learning basic weaving techniques.
Tuesday, July 8th
- Waretown Branch @ 10:30am
Tuesday, July 22nd
- Long Beach Island Branch @ 10:30am
Thursday, July 24th
- Toms River Branch @ 6:30pm
Thursday, August 11th
- Beachwood Branch @ 6:30pm
Monday, August 18th
- Point Pleasant Beach Branch @ 6:30pm
Experiment Lab with Science Heroes
An interactive workshop in which teens work together to investigate exciting science concepts through hands-on experimentation!
Wednesday July 16th
- Point Pleasant Beach Branch @ 3:00pm
- Manchester Branch @ 6:00pm
Thursday, July 31st
- Waretown Branch @ 3:00pm
- Little Egg Harbor Branch @ 6:00pm
Fashion Design Around the World
Students will be introduced to fashion drawing techniques. We will travel to different fashion cities, learn about the styles, and design cute outfits for each location!
Tuesday, July 8th
- Lacey Branch @ 2:00pm
Tuesday, July 22nd
- Upper Shores Branch @ 2:00pm
Tuesday, July 29th
- Jackson Branch @ 2:00pm
Glow Paint Party for Teens
Paint a canvas under black lights and watch the magic happen! No experience necessary. Wear your favorite neon colors.
Monday, August 4th
- Brick Branch @ 2:00pm
- Beachwood Branch @ 6:00pm
Tuesday, August 5th
- Berkeley Branch @ 2:00pm
- Upper Shores Branch @ 6:00pm
Miniature Horse Visit for Teens
This year, Ana and her adorable miniature horses are bringing an unforgettable experience to your library! This event promises to entertain, educate, and inspire through a variety of engaging activities.
Tuesday, July 15th
- Brick Branch @ 11:30am
- Barnegat Branch @ 3:00pm
Wednesday, July 30th
- Lakewood Branch @ 11:30am
- Plumsted Branch @ 3:00pm
Outrageous Reptiles with Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Explore the characteristics of our scaly friends, the reptiles! During this live animal program, meet reptile ambassadors to learn about their differences and how they adapt to their habitats.
Tuesday July 8th
- Long Beach Island Branch @ 1:00pm
- Berkeley Branch @ 3:00pm
Wednesday, July 23rd
- Jackson Branch @ 1:00pm
- Plumsted Branch @ 3:00pm
Thursday, August 7th
- Stafford Branch @ 1:00pm
- Barnegat Branch @ 3:00pm
Secrets of Magic Workshop with Joe Fischer
Teens are taken behind the scenes to discover the secrets to becoming a magician. Each teen receives their own supplies allowing them to practice and fool their friends.
Tuesday August 12th
- Toms River Branch @ 3:00pm
- Lakewood Branch @ 6:00pm
Wednesday, August 13th
- Island Heights Branch @ 3:00pm
- Manchester Branch @ 6:00pm
Summer Snacks with Chef Brian
Learn to create a delicious drink or summer snack with fresh ingredients from local Chef, Brian Cook. Potential Allergens.
Wednesday, August 6th
- Lacey Branch @ 6:00pm
Wednesday, August 13th
- Point Pleasant Borough Branch @ 6:00pm
Wednesday, August 20th
- Stafford Branch @ 6:00pm
"Tie Dye" Papermaking with WILD Jersey
Make colorful recycled notepaper by turning used paper to pulp and back into paper.
Thursday, July 17th
- Point Pleasant Borough Branch @ 11:00am
Summer Volunteering S.A.I.L.
This volunteer program allows teens the opportunity to serve their community while learning, sharing and having fun at the same time! The teen volunteer program, Service and Achievement In the Library (S.A.I.L) is offered to teens that have completed at least 7th grade. Applications are available beginning May 1st.
Teen Summer Reading Challenge
The 2025 Teen Summer Reading Challenge is Adventure Begins in your Library. The reading challenge runs on Beanstack from June 1st –September 12th. Two system winners will be chosen on September 16th.
Check the online Calendar of Events for programs for adults across the county. This summer, we're offering basketry, art instruction, ecology, concerts, and more!
Jackson School District
- Jackson School District Summer Assignments
- High School English Summer Assignments
- Middle School Literacy Summer Assignments
Lacey Township School District
Little Egg Harbor School District
Manchester Township School District
Pinelands Regional School District
Point Pleasant School District
Stafford Township School District
Toms River Regional School District
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