Franklin Public Library details dinosaur-themed summer reading kickoff and expanded family events

At its May 26 meeting, Franklin Public Library staff described a broad summer schedule anchored by a June 12 after‑hours summer reading kickoff featuring dinosaur‑themed activities for families.

"We are starting with our summer reading kickoff on June 12th; this has become kind of our big annual thing now," Jennifer said as she outlined the event and associated programming. Staff said the kickoff will include Rise and Shine story times, music in motion, dino yoga, a Mad Science mineral mania station where children make volcanoes, interactive movies (including Zootopia 2 and a SpongeBob feature), and a petting zoo with feeding limited to the first 50 families.

The children’s lineup for grades 1–5 will favor drop‑in participation when possible so families are not required to register, organizers said, though some hands‑on activities will be limited by available supplies. Staff cited a popular Baby Shark Rave last year and put last year’s attendance for that event at over 300 people, prompting planners to spread high‑attendance activities across larger areas of the library campus this summer.

Teen programming was highlighted separately: a teen‑run book club that attracts roughly 10 teens, a teen game show called “Is it real or is it AI?,” an intro‑to‑filmmaking workshop, teen Nerf wars on July 14, and Teen Service Thursday. Laura Emanuelson and teen volunteers are leading many youth activities; Sam will run recurring monthly cooking and tech classes.

Adult programs through July will include a foraging presentation, a Benjamin Franklin historical program timed to the 250th anniversary, weekly trivia tied to Beanstack incentives, craft afternoons and monthly book clubs. Staff are coordinating outreach to schools, daycares and community partners (ALTS Gymnastics, local coffee shops) and are weighing whether to invite news media to showcase major events.

Staff asked trustees for support with outreach and noted that credit card points have been converted to $650 in gift cards to be used as summer reading prizes. The library plans to emphasize cross‑promotion of the children’s programming with the forthcoming children’s area redesign.

The board did not vote on programming; staff said the kickoff and programs will proceed as scheduled and encouraged trustees to help promote events in the community.