All ages can sign up here at the library or online for the summer reading programs! You still have plenty of time to collect prizes and attend our super fun events! Summer is a great time to catch up with your favorite book characters/series and it will keep your children's minds active and healthy when school's out!
Our theme this year is about sports, games, and being active, so our programs will keep your kids moving and shaking! For more information, see our website and check our online calendar for upcoming events!
The final day to collect your rewards and get entered to win the Grand Prizes is August 12th. We're having a pool party at the Marion Pool on Saturday, August 13th at 1:00 to announce the winners and celebrate!
Summer Meals
Children under 18 can get free hot, healthy meals between 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Monday - Friday until August 19th (except July 4th). Summer Meals are provided by Horizon's Family Services and sponsored by the USDA. Thank you to all of our generous volunteers!
Special Story Time:
Finding Dory!
Special Story Time: Ice Queen!
Special Story Time: Dan Wardell!
Summer Story Time Events
Yoga Story Time
Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Last day is July 27th
(Ages 3 - 12)
Act out stories and learn how you can use your brain, body, breath, and balance every day with Story Time Yoga for the whole family! (Please bring a mat or towel for each person; children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.)
Learning Safari:
Track and Field
Wednesday, July 13th at
10:45 a.m. in place of regular Preschool Story Time
(Ages 3 - 5)
Let's celebrate our summer reading theme On Your Mark, Get Set, Read and get ready for the Summer Olympics! We'll share a picture book about legendary athlete Jesse Owens. Then, we'll participate in a mini race and receive awards!
The Marion Public Library and the African American Museum of Iowa partner to bring you a special story time experience: Learning Safari! Learning Safari is a story time and craft for preschoolers focused on African and African American history and culture.
Lowe Park Story Time
Every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Last day is July 28th
(All Ages)
Come out to Lowe Park (4500 N 10th St.) and listen to stories for all ages. We'll meet at the amphitheater or inside depending on weather.
Babble & Brew
Friday, July 22nd
Drop in 10:00-11:30 a.m.
in place of regular
Toddler Time
Free Wit's End coffee and conversation for the grown ups. Fun age-appropriate toys for babies-preschoolers. A chance for everyone to get out of the house and meet new friends!
Toddler Time
Tuesdays & Fridays*
At 10:00 a.m.
Summer session ends
July 29th
(18 months - 3 years)
Each session is 20 minutes long and includes stories, music, and activities.
Each session is 15 minutes of books, music, bounces, and rhymes followed by 15 minutes of play.
Doodlebugs: The Many Faces of Frida
Tuesday, July 26th at
10:45 a.m. in place of regular Preschool Story Time
(Ages 3 - 5)
Learn about Frida Kahlo's many
self-portraits and create your own, adorned with flowers and more!
Doodlebugs is a hands-on art appreciation class for preschoolers and their caregivers made possible by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
Family Time: Summer Edition
(All Ages, 45 minutes - 1 hour)
Mondays, July 11th, 18th, and 25th at 6:30 p.m.
Life-Size Game Night
Monday, July 11th from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Play giant versions of your favorite games! Including giant Jenga, and colossal Candyland!
Trivia Night
Monday, July 18th at 6:30 p.m.
Stretch your brain with a fun filled night of mind-boggling trivia questions. Play Jeopardy-style for fun prizes!
Movie Night: The Good Dinosaur
Monday, July 25th at 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a movie and free popcorn!
Tuesday Training!
(School-age children, 45 minutes - 1 hour)
Every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
Give your mind and body a workout as we have fun being active and healthy! Every Tuesday, starting June 7th.
Donna's Dance Place
Tuesday, July 5th at 1:00 p.m.
Learn some sweet dance moves with Donna's Dance Place!
Teen program (going into 6th grade and higher) at 3:00.
Marion Music Academy
Tuesday, July 12th at
1:00 p.m.
Get into the rhythm with the Marion Music Academy!
Taekwondo
Tuesday, July 19th at
1:00 p.m.
See a demonstration and get a hands-on lesson in the basics of Taekwondo from the second ranked team in the nation!
Teen program (going into 6th grade and higher) at 3:00.
Youth Yoga
Tuesday, July 26th at
1:00 p.m.
Practice some poses and get your stretch on! Please bring your own mat or towel.
Teen program (going into 6th grade and higher) at 2:00.
The Big Show!
School-age children, 45 minutes - 1 hour
Every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.
Come see our big performers and special guests at The Big Show! Check out what's coming in July:
Big shows are very popular and space is limited. We suggest you arrive by 12:45 to ensure a good seat!
Fantastic Forces!
Wednesday, July 6th at
1:00 p.m.
Learn about the forces at work all around us. It's not Star Wars, it's science! Using science demonstrations and audience participation, we'll rethink the marvel of flight and learn how physics is the ultimate ticket to new destinations!
Steve 'n TV
Wednesday, July 13th at 1:00 p.m.
Steve Couch and his computer-animated friend, TV, will take your family on a fun-filled adventure through the strangest and most wonderful place on earth - your own body!
Dino O'Dell
Wednesday, July 20th at 1:00 p.m.
Whether he's shooting hoops on a ranch in North America, swimming with piranhas in the Amazon River, or climbing Mount Everest, Dino's songs and stories are not only entertaining, but engaging.
Hanson Family Juggling Show!
Wednesday, July 27th at 1:00 p.m.
Mark Hanson, a
two-time Guinness World Record holder for speed juggling, and his national unicycle champion daughter, Christa, and the rest of the Hanson family, are bringing their talents to the Marion Public Library. Bring your kids to try fun physical challenges and watch the Hanson family, seven in all, perform amazing juggling and unicycle tricks.
Funday Thursdays!
Every Thursday at 1:00 beginning June 9th
(school-age/teen) Come spend the afternoon playing games (board and video), building Legos, or watching a movie! Check out what we have planned each week:
Game Day Thursday, July 7th between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Come play with our collection of board and video games!
Lego Club
Thursday, July 14th between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Get creative with everyone's favorite building blocks! Build with our stash once each month on the second Thursday!
Have Legos, Duplos and Bionicles that your kids aren't using anymore? Why not donate them to the library?
Interactive Movie: The Sandlot Thursday, July 21st at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy this classic movie in a whole new way! We'll provide treats including s'mores!
Game Day! Thursday, July 28th between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Another chance to play with our big collection of board and video games!
Year Round Programs
Book a Trip
Ongoing for
All Ages!
This all-ages, year-round reading program couldn't be easier: just pick up a log and start reading. Check off each state as you read a book that either takes place in that state, is about that state, or is by an author who is from that state.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten!
Ongoing for
Children Ages 0 - Pre-K
This program is designed to help parents prepare their children for one of life's big milestones: kindergarten. We hope to foster a love of reading and an appreciation for the library, and to provide a healthy and happy bonding time for children and their caregivers as we encourage you along the way. You can sign up online by clicking here. Then stop by the Children's Desk, and we'll get you started with a log!
