The Northwest Regional Library System aspires to help students to prevent the “summer slide” by providing a variety of engaging, educational programs that encourage imagination, creativity and art throughout the summer. Children and teens who participate in summer library programs become better readers. Summer reading allows children to maintain their reading skills during the summer break while fostering a love of reading when they read for fun! The 2025 theme is Color Our World. Library programs are free and open to the public to attend. Select programs require registration and will be noted in the program description.
Bay County Libraries Reading Incentives
In addition to Summer Reading Programs, the Bay County Public Library Foundation (https://bcplfoundation.org/) have generously sponsored several reading incentives with prizes to encourage kids to visit the library this summer and pick up more books! The Reading Incentives are taking place at the Bay County Public Library, Panama City Beach Public Library, and the Parker Public Library.
Weekly Art Themed Raffle (K – 6th Grade)
Bay County Public Library: June 4 – July 9
Attend a summer reading program & enter a raffle drawing for a cool art prize! Winners are selected at the end of each program. Must be present to win.
Parker Public Library and Panama City Beach Public Library: June 9 – July 19 Each day you visit the library, you can enter a raffle drawing for a cool ‘art’ themed prize! Each week, new winners will be selected. Winners will be contacted the following week.
“Color Our World” Library Bingo (K – 6th Grade) June 2 – July 19
Pick up your reading challenge Bingo card from your library, then complete 5 activities in a row to get BINGO and be entered into our end-of-summer raffle. Complete every activity to earn an additional 2 entries. Limit one (1) Bingo card per child.
Teen Summer Reading Challenge (Ages 12 – 17)
June 2 – July 10
Pick up a reading challenge from your branch or BCPL Youth Services for a chance to win a prize! Turn in a completed entry to be added into a raffle.
Panama City Beach Public Library
12500 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City Beach
School-Aged Summer Programming
- Color Our World with Art
Wednesday, June 11 at 10 a.m. CT
Jenn, balloon artiste, will make balloon animals, hats, and bracelets. We will also have art supplies available to make paper sculptures, thumbprint art, and popsicle sticks for our collaborative art project.
- Color Our World with Safety: Smokey the Bear
Wednesday, June 18 at 10 a.m. CT
Join us as our local Park Rangers read a story and talk about fire safety. You will also get to see some Park Ranger trucks up close. Have your picture taken with Smokey the Bear, play some fun games and create your own bear craft.
- Color Our World with Music: The BUMS Concert
Wednesday, June 25 at 10 a.m. CT
Join us for an hour of lively music by the “Beach Ukulele Music Society” (BUMS) and hilarious jokes.
- Color Our World with Adventure! Pirate Day at the Library
Wednesday, July 2 at 10 a.m. CT
Ahoy Mateys! Dress as a pirate, if you dare, and join us for a pirate-themed scavenger hunt and an outside story walk. Complete the scavenger hunt and get a prize from the treasure chest.
- Color Our World with Art: Create Chalk Art Around the Library
June 30 – July 3
Come out and create colorful chalk art on the sidewalk around the library. There will be chalk supplies available at the front desk.
- Color Our World with FUN FUN FUN! Game Day at the Library!
Wednesday, July 9 at 10 a.m. CT
There will be face painting with Glitter & Glitz with lots of fun games to play. We will have ring toss, Jenga and board games! Mario Kart will be available on the Nintendo Switch for ages 7 – 12. Program sponsored by the Panama City Beach Library Foundation.
- Color our World with Amazement
Wednesday, July 16 at 10 a.m. CT
Miss Calliope presents “Light & Sound: Luz y Sonido” – an interactive musical experience exploring colors, light, language and sound! Program generously sponsored by the Panama City Beach Library Foundation.
Adult Summer Programming
- Sea Needles
Fridays at 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT
Bring your projects and make new friends while you work on your sewing or knitting.
Visit the Panama City Beach Public Library Facebook page or www.nwrls.com for more information about Summer Reading Programming.
