Summer Learning Program 2026: Unearth A Story
This year’s Summer Learning Program (SLP) theme is “Unearth A Story.”
You can register through our Online Form or by visiting the library. Once registered, you will need to pick up your folder with program details, activities, important dates, and more. Reach out if you cannot pickup during the library’s regular open hours.
For FAQ’s, printable forms and activities, please see the attachments below. These documents will also be in your folder.
Many thanks to the Anagnost Family for their contribution to the 2026 Summer Learning Program in memory of Anne Roskelly Anagnost.
Printable Forms & Activities
Programs Dates & Details
Weekly Story Time Programs
Wednesday, July 8th, 6-7pm
Dino Family Fingerprints
Wednesday, July 15th, 6-7pm
Stained-Glass Dinos and Crystal Coloring
Wednesday, July 22nd, 6-7pm
Family Game Night
Wednesday, July 29th, 6-7pm
Chocolate Chip Cookie Excavation
Wednesday, August 5th, 6-7pm
DIY Kid’s Crystals
Wednesday, August 12th, 6-7pm
Plantersaurus Plant Pots
Weekly Activities at the Montour Falls Farmers Market
Montour Falls Farmers Market, 301 Clawson Blvd, Montour Falls, NY 14865
Thursday, July 9th, 4-7pm
Dinolympics & Button Exchange
Thursday, July 16th, 4-7pm
Air Dry Clay Diffuser Discs and Dino Gardens
Thursday, July 23rd, 4-7pm
T-Rex Counted Cross Stitch and Soil Explorers
Thursday, July 30th, 4-7pm
SLP Special Event: Collin Ward Magic
Thursday, August 6th, 4-7pm
Rock and Mineral Soap Bars with Precious Campbell
Thursday, August 13th, 4-7pm
Family Fun Day
SLP Special Event: Doc Possum
Special Events
Thursday, July 30th, 4-7pm
SLP Special Event: Collin Ward Magic
Thursday, August 13th, 4-7pm
Family Fun Day
SLP Special Event: Doc Possum
Summer Learning Special Events – in Collaboration with Schuyler Libraries
Saturday, July 11th, 1pm
Daisy’s Dinosaur Puppet Show with Robert Rogers Puppets
Odessa Community Room
1928 County Road 15, Odessa, NY
Tuesday, July 14th, 3pm
Dave the Magician
Hector Fire Hall
5736 NY-414, Hector, NY
Thursday, July 16th, 10am
Dinosaur Expedition Adventure with Paleontologists Mike & Roberta Straka
Burdett Fire Hall
4124 Lake Ave., Burdett, NY
Friday, July 24th, 11am
Tanglewood Nature Center
Watkins Glen Public Library
610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen, NY
Thursday, July 30th, 4pm
Collin Ward Magic
Montour Falls Farmers Market
301 Clawson Blvd., Montour Falls, NY
Thursday, August 13th, 4pm
Family Fun Day with Doc Possum, outdoor games, and more!
Montour Falls Farmers Market
301 Clawson Blvd., Montour Falls, NY
Programs and Events – Elizabeth B. Pert Library, Hector, NY
Tuesday, July 14th, 3pm
‘Jurassic Dave’ Moreland Magic Show
Elizabeth B. Pert-Hector Library
5736 NY-414, Hector, NY
Wednesdays, 1:30pm: Library at the Lake – Elizabeth B. Pert Library
Join our friends at the Elizabeth B. Pert Library for a story and nature craft by Seneca Lake!
Smith Point Park
5303 Park Ave., Hector NY
July 8
Big Dance Storywalk & Nature Mobile Craft
July 15
Big Dance Storywalk & Rock Painting
July 22
Friendly Fright Storywalk & Bug Leaf Art
July 29
Friendly Fright Storywalk & Clay Day
August 5
Pop! Book About Bubbles & Bird Feeder Craft
Tuesdays at 3pm – Elizabeth B. Pert Library Summer Reading Club
5736 NY-414, Hector, NY
July 7th
Dino Dig Jewelry
July 14th
Moreland the Magician
July 21st
Paint Like a Caveman
July 28th
Dino Mud Pudding
August 11th
Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How old do you need to be to register?
All ages (0-99+) are encouraged to participate in Summer Learning Program and reading challenge!
How do I register for Summer Learning?
You can register by:
– Call the library at (607) 535-7489 during open hours
– Email montourfalls@stls.org
– Visit the library in person
– Fill out the Microsoft Form available on our website
Once registered, you can pick up your SLP folder at the Montour Falls Library. Your folder has programs & event dates, activities, and more!
You will register for programs online by selecting the dates you wish to attend. Please call the library if you want to add a program or need to cancel.
Register multiple participants in separate forms.
What is the Summer Learning Program?
The MFL Summer Learning Program is an incentive program that lasts six (6) weeks starting July 7th through August 13th. We encourage readers to keep reading and learning over the summer to prevent learning regression that can happen when not in school – this is for adults, too!
Do I have to attend weekly in-person programs?
No, you are not required to attend programs. The only requirements to participate are registering, and tracking and submitting your time and titles trackers.
Do I need to register for the Summer Learning Program?
Yes. You must initially register for the program in order for the library to assure there are enough prizes for participants.
Can I attend Summer Learning Special Events and Story Times without being registered?
Yes. Special events and Weekly Story Times are open to the public.
What counts toward my reading goal?
Books (any kind, including picture books), audiobooks, graphic novels; reading cereal boxes, newspapers, and magazines, and even listening to someone else read to you counts toward reading time. You can set your own personal goal on a sheet in your folder (labeled “My Reading Goal”), or on the ReadSquared app.
How do I earn prizes?
Earn prizes by reading, completing activity sheets, and tracking your reading time and titles. You can find trackers in your folder, at the library, or digitally on ReadSquared. The library will notify families regarding Grand Prize pickup by August 31st.
Who gets a prize and how do I pick it up?
All registered participants will receive a prize just for participating! Participation prizes will be available for pickup at the Family Fun Day (Thursday, August 13, 4-7pm) located at the Montour Falls Farmers Market (301 Clawson Blvd., Montour Falls, NY). If you are unable to pick up your prize on this day, please let a library staff member know and we can arrange another pickup time.
What makes me eligible for the Grand Prizes?
There are 4 grand prizes to be awarded at the end of the Summer Learning Program. Individuals will only be eligible for one (1) grand prize each. The grand prizes will be awarded to the participants with the following qualifiers:
- Highest number of books read
- Most reading minutes logged
- Reader who has made the most progress
- Activities completed (Note: this specific prize award will be based on a raffle drawing)
We ask that Grand Prize winners pick up their prize by Saturday, September 19th. If your prize is not picked up by this date, it will be donated to next year’s Summer Learning Program.
How do I receive raffle tickets for activity completion?
When you complete an activity (found in your Summer Learning folder), show it to a staff member for one raffle entry per activity. Activities included, but are not limited to, coloring pages, brain exercises, and origami! You may bring them in as you complete them or bring all completed activities at once. The raffle is only for one (1) of the Grand Prizes, so you may still be eligible for a reading challenge Grand Prize, even if you do not complete any activities!
Do I need to complete both a paper reading log and log my reading on ReadSquared?
Nope! You may complete either your reading log OR log your reading digitally on ReadSquared. If you must switch logging methods in the middle of the program, no worries! Just let a staff member know so we can count totals accurately.
How do I use ReadSquared?
Download the ReadSquared App available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. QR codes that link you to the respective app stores are available on our website and in your Summer Learning folder. Once you have downloaded the app:
- Find Your Library – Search for the Montour Falls Library once prompted.
- Connect to the Library – Create an account, or log in if you already have one. You can use multiple accounts linked to the same or more than one library.
- Select “Kids Unearth a Story” or “Adult Unearth a Story” under “My Reading Programs.”
- You’re good to start tracking your reading! You can log your reading time and titles to unlock badges, activities, minigames, and more!
If you’re not sure how to navigate ReadSquared or just need some help getting started, call the library at (607) 535-7489 to book an in-person tech support appointment and one of our staff will be more than happy to walk you through it.