Summer Reading 2026 at the Newmarket Public Library
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Welcome to Unearth a Story Summer Reading program for children, teens, and adults! Join us for fun events, activities, and the chance to win prizes. Registration starts on June 22nd! Stop by the front desk at the Library to register and get your materials.
For 2026, The Collaborative Summer Library Program selected dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology as the 2026 theme. It offers opportunities to spark curiosity, imagination, and learning across all age groups. Whether readers are digging into a good book, uncovering hidden histories, or exploring the past, the slogan "Unearth a Story" underscores the joy of discovery that reading brings. It also emphasizes that every person and every community has stories waiting to be found and shared—through books, programs, and local knowledge. 
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How to Participate:
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Stop by the front desk of the Library to pick up your reading log! All ages receive a raffle ticket for every hour of reading. Read independently or together, audiobooks count. Check your progress at the front desk and put raffle tickets in for a chance to win amazing prizes! Earn extra tickets by completing challenges included on the summer reading log or participating in the themed weekly activities.
RAFFLE TICKETS MUST BE IN BY FRIDAY, JULY 31! |
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Stop in every Monday at 11:30 for a guided activity with Miss Heather! Can't make it? Take home kits and activities are available the rest of the week.
June 22-27: Diorama Discovery Week Become an archeologist and create a diorama using paper, clay, and other materials to create a dinosaur diorama. June 29- July 3: Art Contest Week Make a work of art featuring your favorite dinosaur for our Jurassic Gallery. Use any medium you like, create at home or at the Library. July 6-11: Excavation Week Find a hidden object at our excavation stations and bring it to the front desk to claim a raffle ticket. July 13-18: Dino Mask Week Create a fun dinosaur mask and join us for a Dino Parade after storytime on Saturday, July 18 at 11am. July 20-25: Scavenger Hunt Week Get your map at the Library and enjoy a scavenger hunt around town. Bring your map back to claim a raffle ticket. July 27-31: Sculpture Week Make salt dough tracks with Miss Heather or take a kit to create at home. |
Special Summer Reading Events
Registration Begins
Monday, June 22
Stop by the front desk to sign up for summer reading and get your materials. All ages are welcome to participate!
Monday, June 22
Stop by the front desk to sign up for summer reading and get your materials. All ages are welcome to participate!
Lindsay's Puppet Pals
Saturday, June 27 at 10:30am
Click here to register!
Join us for our summer reading kick-off with a dynamic show from Lindsay's Puppet Pals! Get ready to laugh, dance, and have fun at the Library!
Saturday, June 27 at 10:30am
Click here to register!
Join us for our summer reading kick-off with a dynamic show from Lindsay's Puppet Pals! Get ready to laugh, dance, and have fun at the Library!
Jade's Excavation Station
Saturday, July 11 at 10:30am
Click here to register!
Join Miss Jade for a tasty hands-on archeology investigation! For ages 6-10 only.
Saturday, July 11 at 10:30am
Click here to register!
Join Miss Jade for a tasty hands-on archeology investigation! For ages 6-10 only.
Baywalk Field Trip- Adults Only!
Friday, July 17 at 10am
Click here to register!
Enjoy a guided exploration of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Discovery Center's waterfront, habitat hike along the Boardwalk Trail, and a facilitated experience at the Discovery Tank. This program runs approximately two hours and thirty minutes. A staff member or experienced volunteer educator will be your guide during this interactive interpretive experience. This is an adults only field trip, participants will meet at the Discovery Center.
Friday, July 17 at 10am
Click here to register!
Enjoy a guided exploration of the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Discovery Center's waterfront, habitat hike along the Boardwalk Trail, and a facilitated experience at the Discovery Tank. This program runs approximately two hours and thirty minutes. A staff member or experienced volunteer educator will be your guide during this interactive interpretive experience. This is an adults only field trip, participants will meet at the Discovery Center.
Dinosaur Parade
Saturday, July 18 at 11am
Bring your dino mask or costume and join us for a parade around the Library after storytime!
Saturday, July 18 at 11am
Bring your dino mask or costume and join us for a parade around the Library after storytime!
Digging Up the Past with the Newmarket Historical Society
Tuesday, July 21 at 4pm
Click here to register!
Join us for a fascinating discussion with the Newmarket Historical Society! See how backyards, forgotten boxes, and ancient documents lead to new discoveries and questions.
Tuesday, July 21 at 4pm
Click here to register!
Join us for a fascinating discussion with the Newmarket Historical Society! See how backyards, forgotten boxes, and ancient documents lead to new discoveries and questions.
Animals with Bad Reputations
Tuesday, July 28 at 4:30pm
Click here to register!
Can you think of any animals disliked by people? The public image of some animals is often inaccurate and can result in negative attitudes. Meet two live animals from the Squam Lake Natural Science Center with bad reputations and learn all of the good our wild neighbors contribute.*
*Animals could be a skunk, porcupine, snapping turtle, or opossum.
Tuesday, July 28 at 4:30pm
Click here to register!
Can you think of any animals disliked by people? The public image of some animals is often inaccurate and can result in negative attitudes. Meet two live animals from the Squam Lake Natural Science Center with bad reputations and learn all of the good our wild neighbors contribute.*
*Animals could be a skunk, porcupine, snapping turtle, or opossum.
Special Storytime with the Children's Literacy Foundation
Saturday, August 1 at 10:30am
Join us for a special storytime with the Children's Literacy Foundation! We'll enjoy stories together and folks will be able to take home free books thanks to a Children's Literacy Foundation Grant! Stick around for the Summer Reading Party at 12pm.
Saturday, August 1 at 10:30am
Join us for a special storytime with the Children's Literacy Foundation! We'll enjoy stories together and folks will be able to take home free books thanks to a Children's Literacy Foundation Grant! Stick around for the Summer Reading Party at 12pm.
Summer Reading Party!
Saturday, August 1 at 12pm
Click here to register!
Mark your calendars for our summer reading party! Enjoy music from the Sunrise Strummers, a cotton candy machine, activities, and pick out free books. Raffle winners will be posted for summer reading prizes. All summer reading participants are welcome!
Saturday, August 1 at 12pm
Click here to register!
Mark your calendars for our summer reading party! Enjoy music from the Sunrise Strummers, a cotton candy machine, activities, and pick out free books. Raffle winners will be posted for summer reading prizes. All summer reading participants are welcome!
Weekly Crafts and Activities
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Mondays:
Storytime at 10:30am Messy Mondays at 11am Youth Advisory Board at 3pm (1st Monday of month) Tuesdays: Page Turners Book Club at 2pm (last Tuesday of month) Wednesdays: Storytime at 10:30am Thursdays: Baby Explorers Drop-In from 10:30-12:30pm Knitting Club from 4:30-6:30pm All Ages Chess Club Drop-In from 5-7pm Fridays: Adult Crafternoon Drop-In from 12-4:30pm Saturdays: Storytime at 10:30am |