By Donna Porter
Library Director
The Dorothy Bramlage Public Library invites the community to the 2026 Summer Library Kick-Off on Saturday, May 2, at 10 am.
Our annual Kick-Off Celebration is a high energy launch into the summer season built around stories, activities, and food! We will have a variety of activities including a STEM activity from K-State and activities from Parents as Teachers and the Junction City Arts Council. Junction City Police Department will be at the grill cooking up delicious hot dogs thanks to a donation from Smithfield. Library staff will be creating snow cones and popcorn. DJ Candy will drop some beats while IHOP pours cups of delicious lemonade. And there will be bouncy houses! Who doesn’t love a bouncy house!? Also, to round out the day, we’ll be announcing our annual Bookmark Contest winners with Vice Mayor Yoskowitz!
Of course, this also launches the first chance to sign up for summer reading. The Summer Reading Program encourages participants to track their reading and earn prizes throughout the summer. It’s a simple way to keep minds active, build literacy skills, and stay connected to the community during the summer months.
Summer at the library is about more than reading books and it all starts at the kick-off event! We are also launching a full season of programs, experiences, and opportunities! From dinosaur trivia and ESL courses to Homeschool Life Skills and Saturday storytimes, the kick-off is where it all begins.
The kick-off event will take place on 2 May at 10 am at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library. Community members are encouraged to attend, register, and start their summer reading journey. Kick-off will run until 1 pm and the library will remain closed for the rest of the day.
For more information about the Summer Reading Program or summer programs, please contact the Library Director at 785-238-4311.