Largo, Maryland – This summer, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is the place to find your new favorite book or reread an old favorite, watch a magic show, sign up for a skating lesson, jump like your favorite animal, celebrate Juneteenth and Pride Month, and more. 

Summer Prince George’s 2024 is the Library’s annual all-ages summer reading and learning program presented with the Washington Nationals. This year’s theme is “Adventure Begins At Your Library!” Now through August 15, participants are encouraged to complete tasks such as reading for 30 minutes, attending library programs, and borrowing items from the Library’s collection of books, DVDs, and online resources to earn prizes including baseball game tickets.

“We are excited to introduce ‘Summer Prince George's 2024: Adventure Begins at Your Library!’ in partnership with the Washington Nationals,” said PGCMLS Program Services Manager Rachel Zukowski. “The program is not just a fun way to beat the heat, but an important way to bolster skills and prevent summer slide. Libraries are beacons of creativity, curiosity, and community, providing a safe and welcoming space for customers of all ages to explore new worlds, challenge themselves, and grow as readers and individuals.”

Participants can register for Summer Prince George’s in person at any PGCMLS branch library or online through Beanstack to log points and receive the following prizes:

• Registration prize: tote bag, available starting June 15
  
• 10 points: T-shirt, available starting July 8
  
• 20 points: two Washington Nationals game tickets and a free book, available starting July 29
  
• Grand prize drawing for those who complete the challenge: gift cards and more 
  

Program Highlights 

Kickoff Summer Prince George’s 

Visit your neighborhood PGCMLS branch library for program kickoff events through Thursday, June 20 to register for Summer Prince George's and participate in activities to welcome the season. The Library’s kickoff events include a Field Day program, scavenger hunts, skating, a celebration of Black Music Month, and a screening of “Inside Out”!

Pride Month 

PGCMLS will host Pride Month programming in June, including Pride-themed trivia events, a virtual discussion with romance author TJ Alexander, storytimes, craft activities, its third annual all-ages Rainbow Festival, and more. 

Juneteenth

PGCMLS is hosting a variety of Juneteenth programs for all ages through Monday, June 24, including events with storyteller and historical interpreter Shemika Renee, a walking tour in Fairmount Heights, screenwriting sessions on how to integrate Black culture and heritage into your script, Bingo for kids, teens, and adults, STEM activities for families, storytimes, and more. 

Skating 

PGCMLS and PG Parks are collaborating to present ‘Skate into Summer,’ offering opportunities to skate at the Bowie Branch Library on Tuesday, June 11 at 3 pm and during Surratts-Clinton Branch Library’s Kickoff Summer Prince George’s event on Thursday, June 20 at 2 pm. Need some lessons to get started or level up your moves? Join Skate Instruction LLC for beginner lessons at the Spauldings Branch Library on Monday, July 8 at 2 pm, Upper Marlboro Branch Library on Tuesday, July 23 at 4 pm, and at the Fairmount Heights Branch Library on Monday, August 19 at 4 pm. For a class on intermediate skating footwork, visit the Spauldings Branch Library on Tuesday, July 9 at 2 pm or the Glenarden Branch Library on Tuesday, August 20 at 4 pm. Skating will also be part of Oxon Hill Branch Library’s “Family Fun in the Sun” program on Thursday, July 25 at 1 pm. 

Book Crawl

For adults, the Library goes after hours and into local businesses throughout Prince George’s County! With the ongoing Book Crawl series from Tuesday, June 18 to Wednesday, August 7, gather your friends and take part in activities such as Trivia Night, Sip and Paint, Name That Tune, and Bingo! 

Summer Meals 

From Monday, June 24 through Friday, August 9, ten library branches will offer free summer meals to children up to 18 years old, while supplies last: Beltsville, Bladensburg, Fairmount Heights, Glenarden, Hillcrest Heights, Hyattsville, New Carrollton, Oxon Hill, Spauldings, and Surratts-Clinton. Visit our events calendar for the full list of available dates, times, and locations. 

Reading is A Magical Adventure! with the ‘Wizard of Washington’ Eric Henning 

Eric Henning, the “Wizard of Washington,” presents a magic show that showcases the adventures that are possible through reading on Monday, June 24 at Oxon Hill Branch Library at 1 pm and the Fairmount Heights Branch Library at 3:30 pm, as well as Thursday, June 26 at the Bladensburg Branch Library at 1 pm and the Beltsville Branch Library at 3:30 pm.

The Science Guys of Baltimore 

The Science Guys of Baltimore will present two chemistry and physics-related programs for children and teens this summer: 

• Fizz, Pop, Boom!: Put some bang into your summer with this program, which features presentations about the states of matter through bubbling potions, chemical reactions, and explosions, geared toward children 3 and up, on Monday, July 1 at the South Bowie Branch Library at 1 pm and the Bowie Branch Library at 4 pm, as well as on Thursday, July 18 at the Baden Branch Library at 1 pm and the Upper Marlboro Branch Library at 4 pm. 
• Waves: Exploring Light and Sound: Geared toward first-graders and up, children and teens will receive lessons about waves, light, sound, and color with live demonstrations that include popping balloons with lasers and capturing shadows with chemiluminescent flashes on Saturday, July 27 at the Surratts-Clinton Branch Library at 11 am and the Spauldings Branch Library at 1:30 pm. 

Echoes of Nature

Echoes of Nature will be presenting three animal-themed programs for children at PGCMLS branches this summer: 

• Animal Olympics: Learn about the animals that are the fastest, the highest jumpers, and most agile in the animal kingdom, and then test your skills at events like the high jump and the broad jump on Tuesday, July 23 at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier at 1 pm, at Laurel Branch Library at 3:30 pm, and Greenbelt Branch Library at 6 pm. 
  
• Safari Walk: Don your best safari gear and get ready to explore a variety of animal habitats, from deserts to forests and everything in between on Thursday, August 1 at the Largo-Kettering Branch Library at 11 am, the Hyattsville Branch Library at 1:30 pm, and the Glenarden Branch Library at 4 pm. 
  
• Superhero Animals!: Discover the ways animals are superheroes in our imaginations – as seen in movies, cartoons, and books – as well as their super abilities in real life on Tuesday, August 6 at the Hillcrest Heights Branch Library at 1 pm, the New Carrollton Branch Library at 3:30 pm, and the Accokeek Branch Library at 6 pm.

Graphics Package

About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve book lovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.