CAMBRIDGE — Looking for fun, free ways to stay cool this summer? Want to keep your kids on track with reading but don't have the energy to battle about it? Look no further than the Dorchester County Public Library!

Our annual Summer Reading Program is a free adventure open to all ages starting June 15. Participants get a free book and earn prizes by completing game-like tasks that encourage reading all summer long.

All ages can enter to win raffle prizes, including wireless ear buds, a Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera, gift cards, and more. Last year, more than 1,100 people signed up between our two library branches. Help us increase that number by spreading the word about the program and come in to sign up.

Our awesome lineup of summer events and cool prizes is made possible thanks to generous donations from our sponsors: the J2W Foundation and Dorchester County Campaign for Grade Level Reading, the Friends of the Dorchester County Public Library, Summit Community Bank, Partners in Giving, Inc., Catering by Shannie, Layton's Chance Winery, Found4You, and several individual donors. If you or someone you know would like to give our library system a helping hand or join the Friends of the Library, visit the "Support Us" tab on our website.

Happenings at the Cambridge Library: 

Saturday, June 8th: Second Saturday Story Time, 10:30am - Come out to the library for a special Saturday Story Time and stay for the Friends of the Library Booksale, from 9am-1pm! (For ages 0 to 6) 

 Tuesday, June 11th: Father's Day & Paternal Guardian Paint & Craft Night, 4:30pm - Join us at the Cambridge Library for a night of painting and fun! Paint a wooden pennant to give to the special father or paternal guardian in your life. (For adults and families) 

Saturday, June 15th: Summer Reading Kick Off Party, 12p-2pm - Come out and celebrate the start of summer reading with our all ages event! Sign-up and get a free book and chances to win prizes. Free food, face painting, balloon animals, community vendors, Salisbury Zoo To You, crafts, sidewalk chalk, a special Friends of the Library book sale, and more! (*Weather permitting only. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram accounts for weather-related updates!)

Tuesday, June 18th: Family Fun Night-Stitch & Knit, 5:30pm-6:30pm - Calling all crafters: Bring your knitting needles or crochet hooks and come craft with us! Don't have a project? Small weaving looms will be available for you to try! Light refreshments will be available. (Open to ages 10+)

Tuesday, June 21st: Puzzle Meet & Swap, 4:30pm-5:30pm - Come out to the Cambridge Library and bring your old puzzles to meet with other puzzle lovers to trade and swap! (Adult program, but children with supervision are also welcome to attend)

Tuesday, June 25th: Family Fun Night-BINGO 5:30pm-6:30pm - Join us in the Meeting Room for a night of exciting BINGO for your chance to win a prize! (Open to all ages. Children under 8 must be supervised by an adult.)

Wednesday, June 26th: Kids' Book Club 10:30am - This starts off a regular Wednesday morning reading group for the children ages 8-12 to gather and keep up their love of reading throughout the summer, while the younger kiddos are busy upstairs with Story Time.

Wednesday, June 26th: Bilingual Family Concert with Nathalia Palis 2pm-3pm - Join us at the Cambridge library for a free, bilingual family concert with Nathalia Palis! Event sponsored by the Eastern Shore Regional Library.

Saturday June 29th: Spoken Word Open Mic, 3:00pm - Come read a poem or lyric you love or have written! First come, first signed up. Performers will be allotted 3 minutes. Material may not contain profanity or sexually explicit content. Acoustic instruments welcome, but no amps or electric guitars. (For ages 13+) 

Every Wednesday: Teen Anime Club, 4pm - Meet up with fellow anime lovers weekly for games, episodes, snacks, and fun activities! (For ages 12-17)  

Happenings at the Hurlock Library: 

Thursday, June 6th: Stitch & Knit, 5:30pm - Calling all crafters: Bring your knitting needles or crochet hooks and come craft with us! Don't have a project? Small weaving looms, crochet hooks, and knitting needles will be available for you to try! Light refreshments will be available. (Adult program) 

Thursday, June 11th: Board Game Night, 4:30pm-5:30pm - Join us at the Hurlock Library for an evening of fun and friendly competition at our Board Game Night! Board games provided or bring your own! All ages welcome.

Thursday, June 20th: STEM Night, 5:30pm - Experience the excitement of STEM! Enjoy hands-on activities with science, technology, engineering, and math. (For all ages) 

Thursday, June 27th: Historical Fiction Book Club, 5pm-6pm - Let's discuss! June's Book Club Pick: Lillac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly. Stop by the library to request a copy or borrow through the Libby app with your library card! Enjoy discussions and light refreshments. (Adult program)

June 3rd to 13th: Drop-In Kite Craft - Take flight! Decorate a paper bag and other household supplies to create and design your own kite.  

June 17th to 27th: Drop-In Sun Catcher Craft - Catch some rays with your own tropical suncatcher! Paints and suction cups provided.  

Happenings at both Cambridge and Hurlock Libraries: 

All Month: Craft To-Go Mini Garden Stone - Grab a free craft to-go craft kit containing all you need to create your own mini stepping stone for your garden! Full instructions and materials available while supplies last. Colors will vary. (For all ages) 

All Month: Free Gun Locks - Stop by either branch to pick up a free gun lock packet with important information on suicide prevention thanks to community partner, Mid Shore Behavioral Health.

Every Wednesday: Story Time, 10:30am - Develop your child's social-emotional skills and build a love for reading by bringing your youngest readers to enjoy stories, songs, and activities with us - every week - at either our Cambridge or Hurlock branch! (For ages 0 to 6) 

*Please note that both library branches will be closed in celebration of Juneteenth on June 19.

Did you know that June is designated as Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising in New York City? It's also known as Rainbow Book Month.

Can't find the title or topic you're looking for? We can request it for free from another library on the Eastern Shore by using your card - or it may be available through our free digital libraries, Hoopla and Libby. Ask a staff member for more information. 

For event updates, check out our calendar at dorchesterlibrary.org/calendar-of-events. Our summer schedule has recently been added! Like us on Facebook at dorchestercountypubliclibrarymd or follow us on Instagram at dorchesterlibrarymd for more information about events, resources, and library announcements.