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Image for event: 2025 Summer Reading Kickoff Party

2025 Summer Reading Kickoff Party
2025-05-17 12:00:00 2025-05-17 15:00:00 America/Denver 2025 Summer Reading Kickoff Party Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room, Youth Services

Saturday, May 17
12:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-05-17 12:00:00 2025-05-17 15:00:00 America/Denver 2025 Summer Reading Kickoff Party Bring the whole family for an afternoon packed with awesome games, hands-on crafts, cool activities, and tasty treats. Plus, you can check out the amazing prizes you can win by reading this summer! Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room, Youth Services

Rapid City Public Library Downtown

Community Room, Youth Services

Bring the whole family for an afternoon packed with awesome games, hands-on crafts, cool activities, and tasty treats. Plus, you can check out the amazing prizes you can win by reading this summer!

Join us at the library for our Summer Reading Kickoff Party and jump into a summer filled with stories, art, and color.

• Art-Inspired Opportunities: Create colorful projects and learn about artists from around the world.

• Games & Activities: Play, explore, and move through fun stations for designed just for kids.

• Global Art Exploration: Learn about artists and cultures through engaging displays and hands-on fun.

• Snacks & Refreshments: Stop by the snack station to "paint" your own Rice Krispies Treat canvas using colorful icing and sprinkles, or grab another tasty treat.

• Special Guests: Join SDPB and the Rapid City Arts Council for creative activities.

• Summer Reading Sign-Up: Register for one of our Summer Reading Challenges and grab your reading log.

• Check Out the Prizes: See what you can earn by reading all summer long.

Don’t miss this colorful kickoff to a summer filled with stories, creativity, and discovery. Come read, play, and create with us!

Rapid City Public Library Downtown
Phone: 605-394-6139
Hours

Rapid City Public Library Downtown

Mon, May 19 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, May 20 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, May 21 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Thu, May 22 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, May 23 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, May 24 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, May 25 Closed
(Closed for Memorial Day)
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About the library

Upcoming events

Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, May 22, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Little Explorers - Waterways
Thu, May 22, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Come sail away with us as we build, test, and race boats! Please note: Little Explorers is moving to Fridays from 11-12 in June and July!
'Free for All' Screening
Thu, May 22, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Celebrate the power of public libraries with a screening of 'Free For All,' a documentary about their vital role in communities. Enjoy a relaxing craft while you watch.
Teen Book Bakes: Building with Icing
Fri, May 23, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Roll up your sleeves and get to building with royal icing to make edible sculptures and structures. From mini houses to imaginative monuments, this tasty craft is as fun to make as it is to eat!
'The Bear' Book Discussion
Fri, May 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Dive into 'The Bear' by Andrew Krivak, a poignant novel set in a post-apocalyptic world that explores survival, humanity's connection with nature, and the power of storytelling.
Books with Bernard
Sat, May 24, 10:00am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Children can cuddle up and read aloud to Bernard the Therapy Dog to build confidence and make reading extra pawsome!
Library Closed
Sun, May 25, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day
Library Closed
Mon, May 26, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, May 27, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, May 27, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Perler Bead Keychains
Tue, May 27, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Follow a pattern (or design your own) and create a keychain made from Perler Beads!
Talking Circle
Wed, May 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
A space for connection, culture, and community.
Practical Making - Tiny Treasures with Polymer Clay
Wed, May 28, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn fun polymer clay techniques to create your own miniature treasures! Make unique charms or tiny sculptures, then take them home to bake and enjoy. No experience needed?just bring your creativity!
This event is full
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, May 29, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Little Explorers - Build and Move
Thu, May 29, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Experiment with movement and engineering, plus make a colorful craft! Please note: Little Explorers is moving to Fridays from 11-12 in June and July!
Chapter Chat Book Club - 'Shark Heart' by Emily Habeck
Thu, May 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
'Shark Heart' is a sweeping love story about life's perennial questions, the fragility of memories, finding joy amidst grief, and creating a meaningful life.
Teen Crafternoon - Mini Bob Ross Paintings
Fri, May 30, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Follow along with the soft, calming tone of Bob Ross as you create beautiful, miniature works of art.
Creation Station - 3D Printed Bookmarks
Sun, Jun 01, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn the basics of 3D design by using Tinkercad to create your own bookmark! These will be 3D printed in the Makerspace to be picked up later.
Gentle Chair Yoga - with Sol Yoga Collective
Mon, Jun 02, 10:30am - 11:15am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Restore your mind and invigorate your body with Sol Yoga Collective at the library! In this safe and comfortable environment, you'll be guided through beginner's yoga poses and stretches.
Monday Craft - Hanging Wall Art
Mon, Jun 02, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Create a tasseled or beaded piece of art that you can hang in your window or on your wall!
First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department
Tue, Jun 03, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
The Rapid City Fire Department joins the library for a special storytime that teaches fire and life safety skills to children!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Jun 03, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Lego Club
Tue, Jun 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Free-build your own design or complete the librarian's challenge for a small prize!
Little Hands: Art and Play - Bubble Wrap Rainbows
Wed, Jun 04, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
POP into Little Hands Art & Play and explore painting rainbows on bubble wrap to make rainbow prints and more!
Talking Circle
Wed, Jun 04, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
A space for connection, culture, and community.
'The Bear' Book Discussion
Wed, Jun 04, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Dive into 'The Bear' by Andrew Krivak, a poignant novel set in a post-apocalyptic world that explores survival, humanity's connection with nature, and the power of storytelling.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Jun 05, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Summer Show - Travis Nye's World of Magic
Thu, Jun 05, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Get ready for jaw-dropping tricks, silly laughs, cool illusions, and even a chance to join the show! Fun for all ages?don?t miss the magic!
Little Explorers - Colorful Sensory Play
Fri, Jun 06, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Touch, smell, squish, and swirl your way through a world of colorful sensory fun!
Teen Crafternoon - Graffiti Fences
Fri, Jun 06, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Unleash your inner street artist and make a piece of art you can take home! Build a mini popsicle stick fence and then tag it with your name graffiti-style using paint, markers, and plenty of flair.
The Science of Sourdough
Sat, Jun 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Master the art of creating and nurturing sourdough starter, unlocking the secrets to baking delicious bread from scratch. We'll be learning about this age-old ingredient through some modern science.
Color Pop Family Story Time & Craft
Sun, Jun 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get ready for a rainbow of fun! Join us for a colorful story adventure as we read vibrant tales and then create a colorful masterpiece with a fun craft. Perfect for the whole family!
Books & Blankets with Storybook Island
Mon, Jun 09, 10:00am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
Join Storybook Island every Monday from 10-11 for cozy family reading time on the lawn! Kick off the fun on June 9 with a special story time with the library and a visit from the Bookmobile.
RCPL Board Meeting
Mon, Jun 09, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
RCPL Monthly Board Meeting
Monday Craft - Picasso Portrait Party
Mon, Jun 09, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Create a cool portrait in the style of Picasso during this project that blends board games with art!
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, Jun 09, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Bring your needles, hooks, and yarn for an evening of fiber arts! Don't have equipment? The library has some that you can use for the class! Join us for camaraderie and snacks!
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Jun 10, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Jun 10, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Color Changing Flowers
Tue, Jun 10, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Observe how plants absorb water through their stems in this eye-catching science experiment. Then make a nature-inspired bookmark!
Libraries with Heart Launch
Wed, Jun 11, 10:00am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Adult Services
Join us as we launch Libraries with Heart in partnership with Monument Health! This new program brings free blood pressure monitoring to the library, along with printouts of your results.
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Pendulum Painting
Wed, Jun 11, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Construct a Paint Pendulum and explore the physics of motion, specifically focusing on pendulum motion and the forces that affect it, while also creating unique artwork.
Registration opens Wednesday, May 28 2025 at 9:00am
Talking Circle
Wed, Jun 11, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
A space for connection, culture, and community.
Tinker Teens - Marble Roller Coasters
Wed, Jun 11, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Makerspace
Put your engineering skills to the test and build a marble roller coaster! Use loops, drops, and twists to create the ultimate ride and see how fast you can get a marble to race down your track.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Jun 12, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Summer Show - Jeff Quinn's Colorful Magic Show
Thu, Jun 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Get ready for 45 minutes of colorful magic, art-themed tricks, silly laughs, and awesome audience participation!
Little Explorers - Color in Action
Fri, Jun 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Watch colors swirl, drip, and shine as we explore how colors move and mix!
Teen #FandomFriday - Manga Bookmarks
Fri, Jun 13, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Create a custom bookmark from recycled manga! While we chill and watch anime, you can color it in, laminate it, add some flair, and you have a new bookmark to take home!
Books with Bernard
Sat, Jun 14, 10:00am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Children can cuddle up and read aloud to Bernard the Therapy Dog to build confidence and make reading extra pawsome!
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Pendulum Painting
Sat, Jun 14, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Construct a Paint Pendulum and explore the physics of motion, specifically focusing on pendulum motion and the forces that affect it, while also creating unique artwork.
Registration opens Saturday, May 31 2025 at 10:00am
Family Movie Afternoon - The Wild Robot
Sun, Jun 15, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us each month this summer for a fun, family-friendly movie at the library!
Gentle Chair Yoga - with Sol Yoga Collective
Mon, Jun 16, 10:30am - 11:15am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Restore your mind and invigorate your body with Sol Yoga Collective at the library! In this safe and comfortable environment, you'll be guided through beginner's yoga poses and stretches.
Monday Craft - Textiles from Around the World
Mon, Jun 16, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore clothing and patterns from different cultures, learn about their meaning, then create your own pattern and story!
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Jun 17, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Jun 17, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Bee Hotels
Tue, Jun 17, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Use simple supplies to build a hotel for bees and help our pollinators!
Summer Show - Katy Tessman Concert for Kids
Wed, Jun 18, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Get ready for a fun-filled mix of music, stories, and sing-alongs with Katy Tessman! She?ll share her book 'Our Mama is a Beautiful Garden' and bring smiles to kids and grown-ups alike!
Talking Circle
Wed, Jun 18, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
A space for connection, culture, and community.
Library Dice Legion - Tabletop RPG Club
Wed, Jun 18, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Welcome to The Library, a place for adventuring parties to convene and take part in glorious battles. Everyone's invited to play, whether it's your first time playing or you're a seasoned adventurer.
Library Closed
Thu, Jun 19, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The Library will be closed in observance of Juneteenth
Little Explorers - Mix, Match, & Make
Fri, Jun 20, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get hands-on with color experiments, mixing art and science to create something new!
Level Up! - VR Gaming
Fri, Jun 20, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a thrilling gaming night where teens can dive into the world of PSVR and experience exciting virtual reality games!
Custer State Park Presents - Pollinators
Sat, Jun 21, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join a Custer State Park Naturalist and dive into the fascinating world of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, and highlight their importance in biodiversity and food production.
Dick Termes Drawing Workshop for Adults
Sat, Jun 21, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join local artist Dick Termes for a workshop where you'll dive into the world of Termespheres and 3D drawing! Learn the secrets behind this unique art form and put your creativity into action.
See all events