“Color Our World” this summer with the Custer County Library!

Dive into a summer full of creativity, curiosity, and connection through reading and hands-on fun. Our 2025 Summer Reading Program has something for everyone—colorful events, great books, and chances to win prizes as you track your reading.

Check out the schedule of events below, register to join the fun, and log your reading minutes through the links provided. Let’s make this summer bright, bold, and full of stories! 

Weekly Calendar of Events

YMCA Kids In the Garden

All YMCA Kids Camp adventurers, get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a day of gardening fun at the community garden!

Teen Book Chat

Come chat about what you are reading and maybe get an idea or two on what to read next. Snacks included—recommended for 7th grade and up.

Donuts and Doodles

Calling all summer reading participants! Visit the library anytime during the day to sign up for Color Our World, our summer reading program. Get everything you need to start logging your minutes, practice your doodle art, and enjoy a donut to celebrate the official kick-off of summer reading.

YMCA Kids In the Garden

All YMCA Kids Camp adventurers! Get Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a day of gardening fun at the community garden!

Tuesday Teen Time

Join us for Tuesday Teen Time, a fun drop-in program for ages 10 and up! This week, try out the library’s brand-new 3D pen and make your own heat-sensitive, color-changing slime. Snacks will be provided, and there’s plenty to do—join the main activity, play games, build with LEGOs, and more. Come hang out and get creative!

Friday Kid Zone

Kids ages 0–8 are invited to join us in front of the library for a fun outdoor storytime, followed by a watercolor activity. After that, stick around for this week’s special project: sun art! We’ll explore how sunlight can help us create unique and colorful artwork. Come enjoy a creative morning in the sun!

Visible Mending Workshop

Join us for a fun class on visible mending using the Sashiko technique! Open to older teens and adults. Bring an item to mend or fabric to practice on (scraps will be available). All supplies provided—revive your clothes with a trendy, sustainable touch!

Click here to register: https://rb.gy/n8arns

YMCA Kids In the Garden

All YMCA Kids Camp adventurers! Get Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a day of gardening fun at the community garden!

Tuesday Teen Time

Join us for Tuesday Teen Time, a fun drop-in program for ages 10 and up! This week, learn how to make your own water bottle stickers. Create custom designs and take home your own unique creations! Snacks will be provided, and there’s plenty to do—join the main activity, play games, build with LEGOs, and more. Come hang out and get creative!

Airplanes 102

Mindful Moments

Join us for guided mindful movement and stretches, suitable for all ability levels. Enjoy quiet time for reflection, journaling, and early library hours—before the crowds arrive! Bring your own mat or towel, journal, or any props. A chair option is available for added comfort.

Black Hills Parks & Forest Associations Program

Natures Clues:A free mini workshop in animal tracking and signs! Great for all ages. In this program, we will go on a journey of discovery as we unlock the stories animals tell through the signs they leave behind.

Friday Kid Zone

Join us in front of the library for outdoor storytime and a watercolor activity, perfect for kids ages 0–8. Then, help us grow our giant rock snake by painting your own colorful rock to add to the collection. Come get creative and be part of this fun community art project!

Teen Book Chat

Come chat about what you are reading and maybe get an idea or two on what to read next. Snack included. Recommended for 7th grade and up.

Nailed It! Cake Decorating

Gather your team for a deliciously fun challenge! We’ll provide the cake—your job is to turn it into food art. Will your team take the prize for most creative design? All supplies are provided, but you’re welcome to bring extra decorations. The theme: Color Our World!

Pre-registration is required. Click here. rb.gy/cnullr

YMCA Kids In the Garden

All YMCA Kids Camp adventurers! Get Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a day of gardening fun at the community garden!

Tuesday Teen Time

Join us for Tuesday Teen Time, a fun drop-in program for ages 10 and us! Enjoy some video gaming and get creative by making your own bracelets. Snacks will be provided, and there’s more to do—play games, hang out, and have fun! Come relax and get crafty with us!

Mini Art Show

Pick up a mini 3×3 canvas and join our community art project! Paint at home or stop by the library to use our art station if you don’t have your own supplies. Finished pieces will be part of our Mini Art Show on July 16—all ages and skill levels welcome!

Super Hero Play Day

Wear your favorite costume from home and get ready for creative fun! We’ll be making superhero capes and offering extra dress-up playtime at the library. Recommended for ages 0–8.

Families interested can also meet up to walk together in the 4th of July Kids Parade the next day.

YMCA Kids In the Garden

All YMCA Kids Camp adventurers! Get Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a day of gardening fun at the community garden!

Tuesday Teen Time

Join us for Tuesday Teen Time, a fun drop-in program for ages 10 and up! Learn photo tips and tricks to take fun, creative shots on your phone. Get hands-on with techniques to improve your photos and have fun capturing unique moments! Snacks will be provided, and there’s more to do—play games, hang out, and get creative!

Poetry on the Lawn

Bring a chair or blanket for this exciting poetry event! Enjoy an open mic with special readings by the poets of Black Hills Writers Collective at the 1881 Courthouse Museum grounds.

Friday Kid Zone

Join us in front of the library for outdoor storytime and a watercolor activity, designed for kids ages 0–8. Afterward, make your own bookmark using pressed flowers—a beautiful and creative way to celebrate summer reading!

Teen Book Chat

Come chat about what you are reading and maybe get an idea or two on what to read next. Snacks included—recommended for 7th grade and up.

Creating Nature Journals

Join us at the library to create nature journals and collages, then explore ideas for making time in the woods fun for all ages. We’ll share favorite hikes and may even take a group walk to try out our creations. Open to all ages.

YMCA Kids In the Garden

All YMCA Kids Camp adventurers! Get Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a day of gardening fun at the community garden!

Mini Canvas Due Back

Please return your completed 3×3 canvases by July 14 so we have time to set them up for the Mini Art Show on July 16. We can’t wait to display your creations!

Tuesday Teen Time

Join us for Tuesday Teen Time, a fun drop-in program for ages 10 and up! Explore printmaking techniques and help us curate our own mini canvas art show. Get creative with different printing methods and showcase your artwork! Snacks will be provided, and there’s more to do—play games, hang out, and enjoy the fun!

Art Gallery Reception

Join us for our Mini Art Show Artist Reception on July 16! Come see the amazing 3×3 creations our community has made.

Enjoy light snacks as you explore the exhibit during this open house event—everyone is welcome!

Friday Kid Zone

Kids ages 0–8 are invited to join us in front of the library for outdoor storytime and a watercolor activity. Afterward, get hands-on with air-dry clay and create your own unique masterpiece to take home. Come play, create, and explore!

YMCA Kids In the Garden

All YMCA Kids Camp adventurers! Get Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a day of gardening fun at the community garden!

Rock Talk with Ranger Millie

Bring your curiosity for an interactive geology presentation with Jewel Cave Ranger, Millie, at the library. Plus, enjoy a hands-on rock and gem exhibit, including activities all week long in our lobby.

Tuesday Teen Time

Join us for Tuesday Teen Time, a fun drop-in program for ages 10 and up! Explore art stations with different mediums you might not get to try often. Experiment with a variety of materials and get creative! Snacks will be provided, and there’s more to do—play games, hang out, and enjoy the fun!

Mindful Moments

Join us for guided mindful movement and stretches, suitable for all ability levels. Enjoy quiet time for reflection, journaling, and early library hours—before the crowds arrive! Bring your own mat or towel, journal, or any props. A chair option is available for added comfort.

Black Hills Parks & Forest Associations Program

Responsible Rockhounding.  The diverse geology of the Black Hills region is a rock enthusiast’s paradise! Come learn why and how to collect responsibly on the Forest Service lands in the area.

Friday Kid Zone

Join us in front of the library for outdoor storytime and a watercolor activity, perfect for kids ages 0–8. Then, get creative with sand art! We’ll have kits available to make colorful pictures using sand. Come enjoy the fun and make your own sandy masterpiece!

Teen Book Chat

Come chat about what you are reading and maybe get an idea or two on what to read next. Snacks included—recommended for 7th grade and up.

Last Day to Log Minutes

Be sure to log and submit your minutes by July 28 to count toward your Summer Reading goals. Weekly prizes can be picked up until August 2. Let’s see if we can beat last year’s reading minutes! Keep reading and get those minutes in!

Color Craze Finale

Celebrate your Summer Reading success with us! We’ll have color powder for a fun, colorful photo op—come ready to get vibrant! Wear an old shirt that can be “colorfied” with our non-toxic powder. Enjoy library-themed temporary tattoos, snacks, and lots of silliness with fellow readers. Don’t forget to check the raffle winners list—your name might be on it!

Congrats on reaching your reading goals—let’s celebrate together!

I-Spy Challenge in the Library

Calling all adventurers! Join us for a weeklong I-Spy in the Library challenge—fun for all ages and especially great for families. Search for hidden items throughout the library and see how many you can find!

Tote Bag Art

Come learn different techniques to decorate your own tote bag, including painting, stamping, and using a gelli pad. Registration required—limited seating available. This event is geared towards older teens and adults.

Click here to register: https://rb.gy/pffqa9

Mindful Moments

Join us for guided mindful movement and stretches, suitable for all ability levels. Enjoy quiet time for reflection, journaling, and early library hours—before the crowds arrive! Bring your own mat or towel, journal, or any props. A chair option is available for added comfort.