Kids, tweens, teens, and adults can open a new chapter of summer fun at local libraries on the Wasatch Back.
Library events are curated for people who like to learn, create, and socialize, and range from hands-on art workshops, story time, and play groups to outdoor movie nights and Spanish-language activities.
Summit County Library
The Summit County Library has readied its 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, “Unearth a Story” including weekly programs, challenges, and fun for all ages.
For example, the “afternoonologist” program on Tuesdays at the Coalville Branch is designed for elementary-aged children who like to learn and explore. Registration opens eight days before each program at 10 a.m. and runs from 1-1:45 p.m. every Tuesday. Call 435-336-3070 to register.
The Coalville Branch will also host a Dino-Council Story Time from 10:30-11 a.m. on Wednesdays for preschool-aged children and their siblings. There will be picture books, songs, and a simple craft based on the summer reading challenge theme.
Tiny Dino Play Time immediately follows story time and involves open play with all kinds of toys. The activity is geared toward children up to five and their caregivers. It’s scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays throughout June and July. A similar event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, June 30, at the Kimball Junction Branch.
Families are also invited to a summer story time from 10:30-11:15 a.m. every Wednesday through August 12 at Matt Knoop Park on Shadow Mountain Drive in Park City. There will be picture books, songs, and a simple craft that’s designed with preschool age children in mind as well as the Summit County Library Bookmobile.
Stomp-a-Saurus Time is scheduled from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Coalville and Kimball Junction branches. There are rhymes, seasonal songs, and lots of stomping for patrons aged 0 to 3.
A bilingual storytime, ¡Los Dinosaurios Hablan Español!, for all ages, takes place from 10:30-11 a.m. on Friday, June 26 and July 17 at the Kimball Junction Branch.
A T. rex tea party will also be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at the Kimball Junction Branch. There will be dinosaur-themed stories, pretend tea, a craft, and snacks for children aged 3 and older. Advanced registration is required.
Other summer events hosted by the Summit County Library:
- America’s 250th birthday celebration from 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, at the Kimball Junction Branch. There will be patriotic crafts, a birthday cake, music, and fun for families and children of all ages.
- Painting workshops will be held at the Coalville Branch with artist Amber Louder for teens and adults. The series takes place at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. RSVPs are encouraged.
- Tween Scene: Summer Switch at the Kamas Valley Branch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, July 6 and Aug. 3. Children aged 10-12 are invited to play a Nintendo Switch and enjoy snacks. Advanced registration is required by calling 435-783-3190. An end-of-summer pizza party is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, at the Coalville Branch.
- Virtual Spanish classes to help people obtain a driver’s license are held in partnership with the Park City Police Department and Summit County Sheriff’s Office. Call 435- 615-3900 for information.
- Teen beaded botanicals will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, at the Coalville Branch; on Wednesday, July 15, at the Kamas Valley Branch; and on Tuesday, July 21, at the Kimball Junction Branch for teens ages 12-18. Registration is required.
- Emerging issues, an adult discussion program, will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 13 and July 20, to discuss the topic “In ______ We Trust” at the Kimball Junction Branch. Artificial Intelligence will be the topic at the Aug. 24 meeting. Space is limited, and registration is required.
Visit summit.events.mylibrary.digital for a full list of programs and events.
Summit County Library Locations and Hours
Coalville Branch
82 North 50 East | 435-336-3070
Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on Sundays
Kamas Valley Branch
110 N. Main | 435-783-3190
Hours: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on Sundays
Kimball Junction Branch
1885 W. Ute Boulevard | 435-615-3900
Hours: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Sundays
Park City Library
From book clubs and writing groups to a unique items collection that can be checked out, the Park City Library has plenty of events and activities to keep the whole family entertained this summer.
The Park City Library is hosting “The Pen is Mightier: Writing a Revolution,” which is a free traveling exhibition focused on the communication tools that sparked revolution and sustained the fight for independence. It includes 20 curated panels that show how revolutionary leaders inspired action using the printing press, secret codes, and more. The exhibition is on display on the library’s second floor until June 28.
There will also be a brunch with Summit Pride and Seniors Out and Proud as part of the library’s Local Speaker Series at 10 a.m. on June 23. Registration is required to attend. The July local speaker series, set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, is about the Titanic. The session on August 4 is an introduction to the analog synthesizer machine.
A wildfire and wildland urban interface discussion is set for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, featuring Dr. Fielding Norton, as part of the sustainable speaker series.
The nine-week summer reading challenge runs until August 9 and offers kids the chance to win a prize for reading for 20 minutes.
The library will host “Beat the Heat!”, an all-ages program with crafts and hands-on activities for those looking to escape the sun, every Monday during the summer reading challenge
Dinosaur craft day is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, June 26. Children ages 5 to 11 are invited to build pipe cleaner and paper plate dinos, a triceratops handprint creation, and a paper dinosaur hat. Kids are also invited to design a new dinosaur by tracing pictures of real dinosaur bones at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11.
Kids can write their own messages using secret “hieroglyphs” codes at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, July 31, and an air-dry clay dinosaur craft is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4.
There’s plenty of other crafty activities, too
Maker Thursdays, where each week offers a different activity, start in July. A women’s history craft will be hosted at 1 p.m. on July 3 with the Utah Historical Society. A jewelry-making workshop is also scheduled for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7. A hair clasp and headband decorating activity will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 10, and there’s book bedazzling at 5 p.m. on July 14 for those 10 and up. Children aged 2 to 8 can also play with watercolors at noon on July 15. There’s a tile mosaic art workshop at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, too.
The annual Friends of the Library Used Book Sale is also set for July. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 3 and 4.
Another unique activity is the Opera on the Patio performance at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, hosted by Park City Opera’s Artist Collective. A seaside serenade is set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5.
The summer slide party, for all ages, is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 12 and 26. There will be a slip and slide, bubbles, popsicles, a craft break, and a free book.
The Park City Library also hosts a variety of reading times and play groups for children of all ages, including babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and middle schoolers. There’s also a music and movement program. The library will feature several bilingual and Spanish-language programs this summer as well.
Other Park City Library summer events:
- Music on the Patio provides free, live music every Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until August 29.
- Yoga on the Patio will be held at 9 a.m. every Thursday through September 24.
- Crafternoons To Go provides free craft kits on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturdays.
- Baby & Me, an interactive story time for babies up to 18 months old, takes place all summer long. Check the library website for dates and times.
- English-Spanish conversation club meets regularly at the Park City Library. Each session includes 30 minutes of English practice and 30 minutes of Spanish practice. All language skill levels are welcome. There are also Spanish and English classes offered.
- STEM for Teens with the University of Utah is set for 2 p.m. on Monday, July 6.
- A pollinator hike with Basin Rec, the Park City Library, and the Summit County Library from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, July 7, at Discovery Loop.
- An outdoor movie will be played on the library’s patio at dusk on Thursday, July 23.
- A sound bath hosted by wellness group Norkova is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28.
Visit parkcity.events.mylibrary.digital for a full list of programs and events.
Park City Library Location and Hours
1255 Park Avenue | 435-615-5600
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.
www.parkcitylibrary.org
Wasatch County Library
The Wasatch County Library is hosting a “Reading Road Trip Through America” in honor of America250 for its summer reading program.
The library also hosts regular programs such as Books and Babies at 10:30 a.m. on Mondays, followed by toddler playtime. Preschool story time for kids aged 3 to 5 is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and includes songs, activities, and a craft.
There’s also a dedicated snack time from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays all summer long for all ages.
Chess Club meets at 3 p.m. every Wednesday. The stillness experience, “a free guided inner journey,” happens at 9 a.m. every Friday throughout June.
The library’s community concert series takes place from 6-7 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month.
There are also book clubs for kids, tweens, and adults that meet regularly.
Visit library.wasatchcounty.gov/calendar for a full list of programs and events.
Wasatch County Library
465 East 1200 South in Heber City | 435-654-1511
Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on Sundays
