Summer 2026 Programs at the Cumberland County Library
Programs are subject to change without notice. Programs require registration unless otherwise noted.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM BEGINS!
July 6 – August 15
“Unearth a Story” this summer! The Cumberland County Library is inviting readers of all ages to explore the world of dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology as the library presents its 2026 Summer Reading Program!
The program runs July 6 through August 15 and features a wide variety of special events for infants through adults. Activities include story times, S.T.E.A.M. programs, family nights, movie programs, and much more! In addition to attending programs, participants can log their reading for chances to win weekly incentives and prizes. Patrons can register in person at the library or online beginning June 29. For more information, please visit cclnj.org or call (856) 453-2210 Ext. 26110 for youth services and Ext. 26103 for adult services.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Contact Terri Carpenter at terrica@cclnj.org or (856) 453-2210 x. 26110 for information. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.
Baby and Toddler Time
Mondays, July 6, 13, 20 & 27 and August 3 & 10, 10:30-11 a.m. Children ages 2 and younger and a caregiver are invited for stories, songs and fingerplays! Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/6f6jumifq4stH4AL7
Family Night — “Andrew’s Big Show”
Monday, July 6, 6:30 p.m.
Families and kids of all ages are invited to “unearth” some fun at Andrew’s Big Show! This hilarious and entertaining show features comedy, juggling, circus tricks, yo-yos and more, and is perfect for all ages! Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/JkaU8XiET1gmmjG68
Dinos on the Go with the Edelman Fossil Park!
Tuesday, July 7, 2 p.m.
Kids ages 6 - 10 are invited to learn about the history of the Edelman Fossil Park and the fossils that were discovered there! There will be several activity stations and an opportunity to touch real fossils and specimens. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/iFeXtKTvq39C1ezs6
Story Time
Thursdays, July 9, 23 & 30 and August 13, 10:30 a.m.
Children ages 3-5 and a caregiver can join us as we share stories, songs, movement activities and a craft! Library story times are a fun way to help your child develop skills they will need to be ready to read. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/LKHLZHCNvFKrEczd8
Sensory Story Time
Fridays, July 10, 17, 24, 31, and August 7 & 14, 10:30 a.m.
Families are invited to a Story Time designed for children with sensory processing challenges ages 7 and younger. Sensory story time will include stories, songs, gentle movement activities, and sensory play. This Story Time will feature a smaller group and a quieter environment to support children sensitive to sound. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/KcGXWAUuHfVS3Q179
Craft Night for Ages 10-12 – Make a Prehistoric Terrarium Night Light
Monday, July 13, 6-7:30 p.m.
Kids ages 10-12 can create their own prehistoric scene that doubles as a night light! All supplies will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/8ZmzAwf9RxgGFtFq8
Art Club
Tuesdays, July 14, 21 & 28 and August 4 & 11, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Kids ages 6 and up are invited to hands-on STEAM adventures where they can explore the worlds of paleontology, animal habitats, archaeology, underground science, and ancient art! Each session includes a themed story and fun art project. Registration is required and is only open for one session at a time. Registration link: https://forms.gle/Zu3vyKyUu4p4WLb66
Family Night – Lego Tournament!
Wednesday, July 15, 6 p.m.
Calling all builders ages 5-12: Get ready for a dino-sized LEGO challenge! Your task: design a one-of-a-kind “Dino-rama”. Include dinosaurs in any creative way you choose. Participants are welcome to bring their bricks from home, and a limited number of LEGOs will be available to use at the library. Local artist and educator Ms. Ti will judge the entries, and prizes and certificates will be awarded. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/JYyeoVkN1jHi5kYG7
“Cantos y Cuentos” Bilingual Story Time!
Thursdays, July 16 and August 6, 10:30 a.m.
Children ages 3-5 are invited for a special bilingual Story Time! Special guest Ms. Betsy will share fun stories, songs and activities in English and Spanish. Registration is required. This program is generously funded by the Friends of the Cumberland County Library. Registration link: https://forms.gle/bWzb92quccpHbKSQ6
Family Night – FURever As Friends
Monday, July 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Kids and teens of all ages are invited to come read to a fabulous furry friend! FURever As Friends therapy pet teams will be available to help kids practice their reading. Participants can bring a book from home or choose one at the library. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/ux4EPaEvNPfREC4p8
Life-size Mario Kart for Ages 10-12!
Monday, July 27, 6-7:30 p.m.
“Welcome to Mario Kart!” Kids ages 10-12 can build their own “Mario Kart” and then “race” around our obstacle course for prizes and glory! All supplies will be provided and registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/YmvZcGaxPXaTGPkx9
Family Night – “Unearth” some Critters (and Creeks and Coasts!) with the American Littoral Society!
Wednesday, July 29, 6-7 p.m.
Families with children ages 5 and up are invited to discover the critters that live in aquatic habitats from creeks to the coast! Join the American Littoral Society for a hands-on program, and discover insects that live in freshwater streams, oysters and other creatures from the bay, and learn what we can do to protect and conserve water for animals and people. Registration is required. Registration link:
https://forms.gle/vAu7r8T7pm6FZGLb9
Family Night – Cohanzick Zoo
Monday, August 3, 6:30 p.m.
Families are invited to a fun-filled night with the Cohanzick Zoo! We’ll get to meet and learn about animals that spend some or all of their time in the ground. This program is recommended for all ages. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/SKPy28YYcApFaUep6
Gregor the Overlander Book Party!
Monday, August 10, 6-7:30 p.m.
Kids ages 10-12 are invited to a party celebrating Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins! “When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.”
There will be themed snacks, activities, challenges and we’ll talk about the book. A limited number of free books will be available while supplies last. Participants are encouraged to read the book before attending the party. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/KKCi9ztxuhDL9ELd9
TEEN PROGRAMS
Contact Terri Carpenter at terrica@cclnj.org or (856) 453-2210 x. 26105 for information.
Teen Craft – Take and Bake Dinosaur Eye Sculpture
Tuesday, July 7, 6-7:30 p.m.
Teens ages 13-18 can create a unique dinosaur eye sculpture using modeling clay! Finished sculptures can be baked at home to finish them. All supplies and instructions will be included. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/HHPGGbD9GGPuJRJw5
Teen Jurassic Dinner and a Movie!
Tuesday, July 14, 5-7:30 p.m.
Teens ages 13-18 are invited to watch the original Jurassic Park movie and “rescue” some delicious dinosaur nuggets from an erupting mashed potato volcano! This film is rated PG-13 and shown in compliance with a license through Movie Licensing, USA. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/vh9bL5hrnGRH1mYZ6
Unearth Your Story – Teen Book Making Workshop
Tuesday, July 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Teens 13-18 are invited to learn the basics of book making with bookmaker and fiber artist, Linda Jackson! We’ll make a simple pamphlet stitch book, journal or sketchbook and everyone will leave with one or two books. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/nwppQ1XfXAgr9tMr5
Teen After-Hours Movie
Friday, July 24, 6-10:30 p.m.
Teens ages 13-18 are invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring movie at a special after-hours event! We’ll be watching the movie in our comfy teen section and enjoying some themed snacks including lembas bread and po-ta-toes. If you haven’t seen this classic fantasy film, now is your chance to see it on the big screen! Registration is required for this program, as is a permission slip signed by the teen’s parent or guardian. Permission slips are available in the Children’s Department or online when registering. Registration link: https://forms.gle/VjHpkhosM8hFGvg29
Teen Mario Kart IRL
Tuesday, July 28, 6-7:30 p.m.
“Welcome to Mario Kart!” Teens ages 13-18 can build their own “Mario Kart” and then “race” around our obstacle course for prizes and glory! All supplies will be provided and registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/cCo88FnKGrnJd3DC6
Teen Dungeons and Dragons
Tuesday, August 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Teens 13-18 are invited to join our Dungeon Master as he leads us through a monthly D & D adventure. Tabletop/role playing experience is not required and new players are welcome. Pre-made characters will be available for those that need them. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/4WvnWAw1wNgCo4hW8
Teen Book Talk and Terrarium Craft
Tuesday, August 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
Teens ages 13-18 are invited to read The Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel and then join us for an informal discussion of the book while we make terrariums! “Xavier Oaks doesn't particularly want to go to the cabin with his dad and his dad's pregnant new wife, Nia. But family obligations are family obligations, and it's only for a short time. So he leaves his mom, his brother, and his other friends behind for a week in the woods. Only... one morning he wakes up and the house isn't where it was before. It's like it's been lifted and placed... somewhere else. When Xavier, his dad, and Nia go explore, they find they are inside a dome, trapped. And there's no one else around... Until, three years later, another family arrives. Is there any escape? Is there a reason they are stuck where they are? Different people have different answers -- and those different answers inexorably lead to tension, strife, and sacrifice. In this masterpiece, award-winning author Kenneth Oppel builds to a heart-stopping pitch in drawing a story that feels very much of our moment, where our very human choices collectively lead to humanity's eventual fate.” A limited number of free books will be available while supplies last. Registration is required. Registration link: https://forms.gle/hStV132Rt3aJ7x5u6
Teen Lock-In with “One Up Games On the Go!”
Friday, August 14, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Teens, 13-18
Teens ages 13-18 are invited to a free, after hours gaming event hosted by Massachusetts eSport and gaming venue, One Up Games!
Explore virtual worlds with the Oculus Quest, or play the latest titles on Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch! Gaming systems will be set up all over the library and there will be pizza and snacks to eat! Registration is required for this program, as is a permission slip signed by the teen’s parent or guardian. Permission slips are available in the Children’s Department or online when registering.