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June Library News
2025
June is here, meaning it’s time to dive into all PCL’s exciting programs and events! Summer Reading is just around the corner, starting on June 14. Get ready to conquer your TBR pile with the ultimate incentive program. Log your reading, participate in library activities, and earn prizes to keep your motivation high. Remember to sign up or log in to your Beanstack account on June 14 to get started on your summer reading journey.
From June 7 to August 29, get ready to Color Your World by exploring local libraries and completing fun activities to earn stickers for your color wheel. Collect raffle tickets from participating libraries for the local prize. Visiting six or more locations gives you a chance to win the grand prize.
Looking for something new to try this summer? Check out our Library of Things for a wide variety of items available for free with your library card. From museum passes to electronic gadgets, games, puzzles, and more, we’ve got everything you need to make the most of your summer break. And don’t forget to stop by our Seed Library to pick up free seed packs and jazz up your garden with various blooms. Plus, patrons won’t want to miss out on our latest recommendations, holiday picks, and digital collection to keep you entertained all summer.
Stay tuned for more updates here and sign up for our exciting weekly eNews (at the bottom of each web page)-your go-to destination for summer fun!
Love libraries?
Tell us why!
We’re inviting library users to participate in a quick, anonymous survey about their cherished library memories and their hopes for the next five years.
The PA Office of Commonwealth Libraries will not collect personal information such as names or contact details. We only request the county and age range.
The survey is designed to be completed in 2-4 minutes.
To answer three short questions, scan the QR code and submit your responses by July 9, 2025.
The PA Office of Commonwealth Libraries sponsors this survey.
Summer Reading Club 2025
June 14-August 9
Welcome to Color Our World!
We invite you to embark on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating the myriad ways art enriches our lives. Sign up for the Summer Reading Club! Our program is designed to inspire and engage readers of all ages through diverse artistic expressions. The challenge is open to all ages and features special-themed programs, prize drawings, and more. You can track activities by downloading the easy-to-use Beanstack app, picking up a paper game board, or a reading log. Join us for music, food, and fun! Everyone is welcome to join PCL’s summer reading club! However, raffle prizes are reserved for residents of the Parkland School District and nonresidents who purchase an LCLC library card.
Why “Color Our World”?
Member libraries nationwide chose this theme to encourage patrons to embrace the beauty of art in all its forms, creating a colorful tapestry of experiences for everyone.
Kickoff Party: Saturday, June 14, 10am-2pm
Join us from 10am-2pm for fun and swag just for signing up! Win prizes through August 9 by reading, attending events, and promoting family literacy during the summer.
Food trucks will be on site, including Grateful Dogs and Uno Taqueria. Paint Kindness Rocks for our garden path. At noon, musician Dave Fry will perform.
Closing Party, August 9, 10am-2pm
Featuring: Spin Art for All Ages!
Join us for the anticipated prize raffle drawings, activities, and a celebration of our reading accomplishments! Special prize drawings will be held exclusively for those attending the closing party. Be sure to check our event calendar for details!
Color Your World, Visit to Win Prizes
At Lehigh Carbon Libraries | June 7-August 29
Visit local libraries this summer for a chance to win an iPad!
Patrons of all ages can pick up a paper color wheel at participating Lehigh Carbon Libraries. Please visit our Tech Center at PCL to pick up your color wheel. If you complete the passive activity with the button maker, you will receive a sticker for the color wheel and a PCL raffle ticket, giving you a chance to win a Wawa gift basket.
Next, visit participating local libraries to complete their passive activity, get a sticker for your color wheel, and receive a raffle ticket for their library’s raffle.
Grand Prize Drawing
Visit six or more listed libraries and receive an entry for the grand prize. Submit your tickets during your final library visit to be entered into the drawing.
How to Play
- Visit each library and complete an activity to get a sticker for your color wheel and earn a raffle ticket.
- Each library has a prize drawing.
- Visiting six different LC Libraries to earn an entry for the grand prize drawing for an iPad!
- Visit all 12 libraries for a bonus entry!
New to the Collection
The Adventures of the Explorers’ Club in New York City
Local author Lori Floyd donated her book, The Adventures of the Explorers’ Club in New York City, to the library! The story follows two young friends who explore New York City with their mothers, visiting iconic and historic attractions such as the Empire State Building and the museums. It’s the first in a series for young explorers, focusing on family-friendly places in the USA.
2025 Unsung Hero Award
Congratulations, Ila Dietrich!
Congratulations to Friends of Parkland Community Library president Ila Dietrich, who was celebrated as a Lehigh County Unsung Hero at the Annual Unsung Hero event held on May 21, 2025. An Unsung Hero displays routine and exceptional generosity of their time and talent to enhance the lives of others and make our community a better place!
About Aging and Adult Services
The Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services is committed to supporting and empowering the well-being of all adults of all ages, residing in Lehigh County. The office advocates for Lehigh County residents and provides a wide range of services and information to help adults make informed decisions. Information and assistance are provided to enable individuals to remain active, healthy, productive, and independent in their community.
Special Events
Join us for a free event! We are excited to provide quality programs for all ages and interests. Those looking to attend programs and events can print our monthly event calendars here. Check out these featured events.
All programming is sponsored by The Friends of the Parkland Community Library. Learn more about The Friends on their webpage.
PCL JAMS, Acoustic Music Night, June 19
Join us on the third Thursday of the month for an “unplugged” acoustic jam night.
Come to play, sing, or listen in. Musicians will welcome instruments such as the guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, and upright bass (all acoustic instruments). We will explore genres such as old-time, Bluegrass, Celtic/Irish music, and more.
World Day of Music, June 21, was first observed in France, but today it highlights the universal appeal of music, encouraging people of all skill levels to engage with a broader range of musical genres.
Tween and Teen Beach Party: Surf’s Up at the Library!
8-15-year-old
You’ll have an unforgettable evening at the library with an after-hours beach party that’s packed with fun activities, creative crafts, and summer vibes—even if you’re miles away from the shore!
This after-hours program will give tweens and teens a chance to explore the library in a relaxed and exciting environment, connect with friends, and enjoy a unique summer-inspired experience. With crafting, snacks, games, and a party atmosphere, it’s sure to make you feel like they’ve brought the beach to the library!
Rebel Girls Club Presents Empowering Rebels: A conversation with Melba Tolliver
Children’s Author Event
Meet Melba Tolliver, a trailblazing journalist and author of Accidental Anchorwoman: A Memoir of Chance, Choice, Change, and Connection. Share her journey as the first Black woman to anchor a network news broadcast! Q&A, and attendees will have the chance to meet Melba Tolliver and get their copies of Accidental Anchorwoman signed. Light refreshments will be served.
Rebel Girls Club is supported by a grant from the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC)
2025 Plant A Row Donation Schedule
June 11-October 9
- First collection: Wednesday, June 11.
- Last collection week: Wednesday, October 9.
Donations should be placed in the cooler in the library’s foyer on Wednesdays from 9AM through Thursday to 7PM.
- We are accepting all types of FRESH fruit, vegetables, and herbs. If you would not serve it, please do not donate it.
- Do not tie plastic bags shut. Trapped heat will spoil donations.
June Awareness & Celebrations
At the library, we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all individuals feel seen and heard. Our dedicated staff is here to provide support, information, and a safe environment for everyone who walks through our doors. We are committed to fostering a sense of community and belonging where diversity is celebrated and embraced.
Kanopy and hoopla are free at-home streaming apps, courtesy of your library, available to Parkland School District and paying nonresidents only.
With hoopla, patrons can borrow, stream, and download content on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, and more. hoopla offers access to a vast collection of books, videos, and music, all free with your library card.
Father’s Day, June 15
Let’s not forget about Dad! Father’s Day falls on June 15 this year, and PCL offers a selection of reflections, advice, and funny stories for both new and veteran Dads alike.
Celebrate the father figures who’ve shaped our lives with Kanopy’s curated film collection. From touching dramas to thought-provoking documentaries, this selection explores the many dimensions of fatherhood across cultures and generations.
Don’t forget to check out our collection of books on fatherhood and parenting tips to help you become the best dad you can be.
Caribbean-American & Portuguese National Heritage Months
June celebrates Caribbean-American Heritage Month and Portuguese National Heritage Month. The former recognizes individuals with ties to the West Indies, including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The latter honors those descended from the country of Portugal. One such author would be Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian novelist who writes in his native Portuguese language. Parkland Community Library’s June book displays include titles from both heritage groups, including English translations of the prolific Coelho.
Juneteenth, June 19
Our nation marks Juneteenth–otherwise known as Freedom Day–on June 19, the anniversary of the day in 1865 when President Abraham Lincoln emancipated the enslaved Africans in America. Our PCL book display proudly features titles on Lincoln, U.S. Reconstruction, and other topics related to the history of slavery.
Men’s Health Month
The men in our lives take center stage this month. June is designated as Men’s Health Month, and the corresponding library display features a range of nonfiction selections to highlight male mental and physical health issues, encourage regular checkups, and promote healthy lifestyle choices.
Pride Month
PCL’s 2025 display for Pride Month features a diverse selection of fiction and nonfiction books. Nonfiction selections range from memoirs to cookbooks (including those from Queer Eye) to unique titles like The Pride Atlas: 500 Iconic Destinations for Queer Travelers. The month of June was chosen for Pride Month in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots, which occurred in June 1969. However, it wasn’t until 30 years after that event that the US federal government recognized June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” Pride Month book list:
Celebrate Pride Month with Kanopy’s curated collection of LGBTQ+ films—featuring stories of courage, identity, and love. From groundbreaking documentaries to critically acclaimed features, these free-to-stream titles shine a light on LGBTQ+ voices and experiences. Check out more books, comics, music, and more on hoopla!
Hoopla Bonus Borrows
Available June 24-30!
Enjoy Bonus Borrows more often! Hoopla’s Bonus Borrows will be available for the last seven days of each month. Choose from these select titles without using your monthly borrows!
Stories in the Schools
Your library would like to welcome everyone back to Stories in the Schools 2025. Discover a nearby school and join in on this enjoyable family event. Photo by USA Architects About The Parkland Community Library will host Stories in the Schools as part of the Parkland School District’s Summer Library program. PCL staff and volunteers…
July Library News
2025 Get ready for an exciting July at the library! We’re thrilled to invite you to join Libby’s Library Big Read, featuring the captivating book “The Storyteller’s Death.” The best part? You can borrow it instantly without any wait time or holds. The Summer Reading Club is in full swing, so be sure to log…
Helping Our Community with Plant A Row
Get involved in your community by participating in Plant A Row with PCL! Whether you have a green thumb or are new to gardening, Plant A Row is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact. Donating just one row of your garden or some produce can help provide nutritious food to those in need. …