The downtown branch of the Portage Co. Library is located at 1001 Main St. in Stevens Point. (Metro Wire photo)

Portage County Public Library offers full week of free summer programs

By Brandi Makuski

STEVENS POINT — Families looking to keep kids busy before the school year begins will have plenty of options next week as the Portage County Public Library rolls out another packed slate of Summer Library Program events.

Running July 27 through Aug. 1, the schedule includes storytimes, a teen Dungeons & Dragons session, a building challenge with LEGO-style bricks and the library’s ongoing Summer Reading Challenge. Programs are offered at the Stevens Point, Plover and Rosholt branches, with most events free to attend.

This year’s Summer Library Program theme is “Unearth a Story,” with activities continuing through the end of August. In addition to special events, readers of all ages can participate in the Summer Reading Challenge by logging their reading minutes through the Beanstack app to earn prizes. More information about the challenge and other library programs is available at https://www.pocolibrary.org.

The week begins Sunday, July 27, with Teen Dungeons & Dragons at 4:30 p.m. at the Stevens Point Branch. The program is open to students in grades 6-12, and registration is required.

Family Storytime will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Stevens Point Branch, Tuesday at the Rosholt Branch and Wednesday at the Plover Branch. The Stevens Point Branch will also host Brick Central at 4 p.m. Wednesday, where children can tackle a themed building challenge using blocks provided by the library. Registration is required.

On Friday, July 31, the Stevens Point Branch will host Baby Storytime at 9:45 a.m. for infants from birth to 17 months, followed by another Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. The week wraps up with Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Stevens Point Branch.

Throughout the month, visitors to the Plover Branch can also enjoy the library’s StoryWalk, an outdoor activity that combines reading with a walk around the library grounds.

Library officials said most programs are free, with craft supplies provided when needed, although some activities require advance registration. For additional information or to register for eligible programs, visit https://www.pocolibrary.org or contact the library at 715-346-1548 or [email protected].