For Kids

Summer Library Programs

The Pella Public Library would like to help you “Imagine Your Story!” this summer with the announcement of our Summer Library Programs!

Not surprisingly, the Summer Library Program will be a little different this year!

The Summer Library Program will be done completely at home with no need to come to the Library to pick up prizes. Starting on Monday, June 1 at 10 a.m. kids and parents are welcome to come pick up a bag with all they will need for summer in the bag! And guess what? The bag is the prize this year! Inside the bag will be supplies for four programs that Miss Katie will lead online and your reading log.

We will continue to offer programs for all ages of kids! 

But wait, there’s more! There will be experience prizes this year, all entries will be done online, and we’ll announce additional prizes online through the Summer Library Program.

Please look at social media accounts and here for up to date information on all programming.

School Age 

The Summer Library Program is for those students who have just finished K - 5th grade.  Children age 0 - 1 can participate in the Early Literacy Program.  Children ages 2 to finishing preschool/PreK are welcome to do the Read To Me Program.  Students in the 6th grade and older are able to participate in the Teen Summer Library Program.  You may read as a family and count those minutes.  The most important part of the Summer Library Program is that you read!  Audiobooks, magazines, and graphic novels may also be counted as time read.  Participants pick up a bag that has your reading log in it and start reading.  Mark off a square on the log for every day you read at least 15 minutes.  Any extra minutes that day can be counted toward experience prizes.  The prize this year is the bag that contains all of your supplies and reading log.  

After you have read 15 minutes for the day you can start keeping track of the extra minutes you read. For every additional 5 hours you read, you may place your name in the online drawing for an experience prize. Experience prize entries will be accepted until Friday, July 31 at 9 p.m. You may complete the experience portion of the program as many times as you would like.  Drawing will be held on Tuesday, August 4 at 10:30 a.m. Winners will be contacted after the drawing.  Only online entries will be accepted this year due to health concerns.  An experience prize is not a physical item but something you get to do!  Remember you only have a chance to win these prizes after you have completed the regular program, and only one person will win each of these prizes.

Experience Prize Entry Form: https://forms.gle/nSxeuavNrntWh84S9

During the month of June, the library will only be offering online programming.  All large special programs will be rescheduled when we are able to have large gatherings. July programs are still scheduled but check out social media accounts, the Kids Page, and Services and Closure Page on our website for the most up to date information.  Join us for Facebook Live Story Times Monday - Thursday at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.  See the calendar for more information on book clubs and programming to use your craft supplies!

We ask that you finish the program before filling out the Google Form.  The form will be live from July 10 to August 14.

Completed the Summer Library Program Form: https://forms.gle/ZBCDdv3FNJ6q3L2Y6

Early Literacy

Parents can pick up a reading log for their child and complete the early literacy activities with their young child.  It is never too early to start reading to your child!  This program is for children 0-1 years.

We ask that you finish the program before filling out the Google Form.  The form will be live from July 10 to August 14.

Completed the Summer Library Program Form: https://forms.gle/ZBCDdv3FNJ6q3L2Y6

Read To Me Program

Participants pick up a reading log and start reading.  Adults will be doing the reading with the children for the Read to Me program. We ask that you finish the program before filling out the Google Form 9https://tinyurl.com/yapsh4dv) will be live from July 10 to August 14. 

We ask that you finish the program before filling out the Google Form.  The form will be live from July 10 to August 14.

Completed the Summer Library Program Form: https://forms.gle/ZBCDdv3FNJ6q3L2Y6

Teen Summer Reading Program 

The program is open to students finishing 6th grade to 12th grade.  Students finishing 5th grade will have the choice between the grade school program or the teen program.

How does the program work?

When you finish a book you will fill out an online reading sheet (Google Form: https://tinyurl.com/y8ptmrnq) listing the title, author, and number of pages, along with your name and phone number.  For every 200 pages read your name will be entered into a drawing for Pella Bucks!  You do not need to read only books, that have 200 pages, you may read books that are shorter or longer.  Remember audio and graphic novels also count as pages read.  If you need to know how many pages, look up the title on Amazon.  All you need to do is keep track of the books you read and enter your books on the Google Form.  Miss Katie, the Youth Services Librarian, will keep track of the pages you read and make the entry forms for the drawing.  So, the more you read the more chances you have of winning the grand prize!  The last date to turn in reading pages is Friday, July 31.  The drawing for the Pella Bucks will be on Tuesday, August 4 at 10 a.m.  You do not need to be present to win. The winner will be contacted after the drawing. All teens participating in the program will receive a $2 gift certificate to an area business. 

Miss Katie is working on planning some online programming!  Keep watch on social media accounts as well as the Kids and Teen Page and Services and Closure Updates on our website.

Online Reading Slips Form: https://forms.gle/ZBCDdv3FNJ6q3L2Y6

We ask that you finish the program before filling out the Google Form.  The form will be live from July 10 to August 14.

Completed the Summer Library Program Form: https://forms.gle/ZBCDdv3FNJ6q3L2Y6

Free TumbleBooks Resources

For a limited time, get free ebooks and audiobooks from the TumbleBooks company!

Story Time, Tot Time and Lap Sit

**Story Time will be offered online via Facebook Live at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Monday - Friday.  These will not be recorded or archived due to publisher requirements for the temporary read aloud permissions. Please "Like" and "Follow" the Pella Public Library on Facebook to see reminders about Facebook Live story times.**

All in-person story times are on hold indefinitely.

Story Time is offered on Mondays and Thursdays 10:30 a.m. Story Time is suggested for ages 3/4 and older, parent or caregivers are encouraged to stay and fun with us.

Tot Time will be offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Tot Time is suggested for babies/walkers to age 3 with parent or caregiver.

Lap Sit will be offered on Mondays at 11:15 a.m. Lap Sit is for babies and parent or caregiver.

Pajama or Evening Story Time is offered at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of the month September to April.

There is no sign up for Story Times, Tot Times or Lap Sit.

School Age Programming

Whatchamacallit Wednesday programs are on hold indefinitely.

Whatchamacallit Wednesdays Program offered every Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. September to May. Programs are come and go.

Week One: LEGO free build

Week Two: movie/board games

Week Three: movie/board games

Week Four: STEAM

Upcoming movie dates: Feb. 19, Mar. 11, Apr. 22, and May 13

Things to remember:

1.  Children must be in Kindergarten.

2. LEGOs are provided, please don’t bring from home.

3. Movie may move to a different week due to school schedules.

4. Children not in Kindergarten may attend movie showing with adult/mature person.

5. Children under the age of 8 need an adult/mature person in the library while attending a library program.

Tinker Tuesdays is offered the 1st Tuesday of the month from October to April at 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. This program is for kids in grades K to 5th.  The group will experiment with STEAM Activities and creating with LEGO bricks.  No need to sign up for this program.

Upcoming dates: February 4, March 3, and April 7

Book Clubs

All in-person book clubs are on hold indefinitely.

Pages and Popcorn for kids in grades 3-5.  The Popcorn and Pages title selection will also be the Chapter Chat selection for the month.

Book Worms for kids in grades 1-2.  

Chapter Chat is for kids in grades 3-5.  The Chapter Chat title selection will also be the Popcorn and Pages selection for the month.

Books may be checked out at the Circulation Desk the previous month.

Family Saturday Programs

Saturday programs are on hold indefinitely.


1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Any child not in Kindergarten is eligible to participate in this ongoing program. Those interested may register at the library.

Reading Resources