Be a kid again at the library with books from times gone by at our Flashback Book Fair in collaboration with Brain Lair Books. Join us on Friday, May 10 at the Main Branch in Downtown South Bend as it transforms into a school from days gone by. This is a 21+ event.

All funds go toward purchasing high-interest books for children who participate in the Library’s Summer Reading Club. Every kid (and adult) who participates in the Summer Reading Club gets 2 amazing and awesome books to take home. 

Presale tickets for $7 are available now until May 3. After May 3 tickets online and at the door will be $10! Get your tickets here!

Tickets

The book fair will include: 

• Books current and from your kid days–and FUN BOOK FAIR GOODIES–from Brain Lair Books.
• Books to buy for yourself and an opportunity to buy books to donate to the Summer Reading Club.
• Cash bar with special cocktails and mocktails.
• “Little Library Lunch-bites” (charcuterie), pulled pork, walking tacos (gluten free options available), and even more food! 
• The unparalleled DJ Chuck Fry.
• Our “principal” for the evening Mr. Mark McGill. 
• Field Day activities and a Photo Booth in the Library’s Ballroom plus outdoor games in the Pfeil Courtyard.
• A flashback film in the Leighton auditorium.

The cover charge, a portion of book/gift item/food/drink sales, all proceeds from library merch, and all outright donations will support the Summer Reading Club.

The St. Joe County Public Library invites everyone to participate in the Summer Reading Club from now through July 31. Children, teens and adults can signup online or in-person at any library location. 

Celebrate the start of the Summer Reading Club in the courtyard at Main Library on Friday, June 2 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy fun, free activities for the whole family, food trucks and live performances by musician Jim Gill from 5:30-6:30p.m., and the Latin-soul infusion band Lalo Cura from 7:00-8:00 p.m. while signing up for the Summer Reading Club. 

When readers sign up, they will receive their choice of a free book and sticker or button in June, and another free book and a t-shirt in July, while supplies last. Participants will earn points as they read and listen to books and complete activities. Everyone who has at least one point each month will be entered into a drawing to win a prize that month. Each location will have a prize winner in each age category each month.

Summer reading provides benefits that extend well beyond the summer months, and people of all ages benefit from reading. Summer reading generates an interest in books and learning, and encourages both children and adults to develop a life-long habit of reading. Summer reading is also one of the best ways for students to be prepared for the next academic year as reading increases a student’s vocabulary, spelling ability and writing skills.

According to a three-year study, students who participated in summer reading programs at public libraries demonstrated higher reading achievement than students who did not participate. In addition, the students who participated in the summer reading programs increased their reading skills, motivation, confidence, and enjoyment of reading.

The Summer Reading Club is sponsored by TCU Foundation, Tire Rack and Gurley Leep at the Bestseller level. At the Classic level, 1st Source Bank, Arkos Design, Express Press, Masterbilt, May Oberfell Lorber, Herman & Goetz and Walker Hughes Insurance are financially supporting the program.

The St. Joe County Public Library invites everyone to participate in the Summer Reading Club from now through July 31, 2022. Children, teens and adults can signup online or in-person at any library location. 

When readers sign up, they will receive a prize, and as they complete their reading goals, they will win more prizes. For every 200 minutes a child reads, he or she will receive a prize, and when teens complete reading five books, they will receive a book, small prize and raffle entry for every five books they read up to fifteen books. Similarly, adults will receive a raffle prize for every five books they read, up to twenty-five books. 

Summer reading provides benefits that extend well beyond the summer months. Children, teens and adults benefit from reading in a number of ways. Summer reading generates an interest in books and learning, and encourages both children and adults to develop a life-long habit of reading. Summer reading is also one of the best ways for students to be prepared for the next academic year as reading increases a student’s vocabulary, spelling ability and writing skills.

According to a three-year study, students who participated in summer reading programs at public libraries demonstrated higher reading achievement than students who did not participate. In addition, the students who participated in the summer reading programs increased their reading skills, motivation, confidence, and enjoyment of reading.

The Summer Reading Club is sponsored by The Tire Rack, as well as 1st Source Bank, Masterbilt and Express Press.