Come spend your summer with us at the Library! “Color Our World: Colorea Nuestro Mundo” runs from June 1 to July 31. The Summer Reading Program features Reading Challenges, Special Events, Art Contest for ages 5-17, Writing Contest for adults and so much more. There’s something for everyone, so be sure to explore our online calendar or download the printable calendar and sign up for the Reading Challenge!
Reading Challenges
By registering online for Summer Reading, you’re committing to read for 30 days between June 1 and July 31. Feel free to read whatever you like, and if you need suggestions, check out our latest books in the Catalog.
Prefer not to register online? No worries! Just print or pick up a reading log to track your reading from June 1 to July 31, and make sure to return the log to the library at the end of the program.
With four program levels to choose from, everyone is invited to participate. Each reader can select the level that best fits their needs!
- Early Literacy: ages 5 and under
- Children: ages 6-12
- Teen: ages 13-17
- Adult: ages 18 and up
Special Events
Wild Things Zoofari
Exotic animals, all ages are welcome! Limited seating is available, and free tickets can be picked up 30 minutes before each show.
Location 1:
- Where: Clara B. Mounce Public Library
- When: Tuesday, June 10, 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. *Both shows are the same
Location 2:
- Where: Larry J. Ringer Library
- When: Thursday, June 12, 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. *Both shows are the same
Celebrate Juneteenth with Storyteller, Toni Simmons
Toni Simmons is an accomplished author and storyteller who holds a degree in speech and drama from Fisk University. She also earned a Master’s in Library Science and began her career as a children’s librarian, blending her expertise in children’s literature and creative drama to create engaging storytelling experiences.
As a professional storyteller, Toni captivates audiences with her dynamic performances that incorporate rhythm, music, and interactive participation. Her storytelling brings narratives to life and resonates with listeners of all ages, drawing from a diverse range of cultural traditions and literary works.
Toni has led storytelling, creative drama, and movement workshops in schools, theaters, and community centers. She has also collaborated with educators to help integrate the arts into classroom instruction. Her roles have included serving as Storyteller in Residence for the Ouachita Parish and Monroe City Schools in Northeast Louisiana, as well as teaching drama at The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas.
Toni believes that children’s programs in libraries are powerful tools for both entertainment and education, sparking a lifelong love of books and storytelling. She emphasizes that storytelling, rooted in the ancient oral tradition, continues to be a vital way to share history, culture, and imagination with new generations.
Location 1:
- Where: Larry J. Ringer Library
- When: Thursday, June 26, 10 a.m. *Both shows are the same
Location 2:
- Where: Clara B. Mounce Public Library
- When: Thursday, June 26, 2 p.m. *Both shows are the same
Mini Golf
Join the Bryan + College Public Library System for an adventure and a “Hole” lot of family fun at a miniature golf course day. Golfers of all levels can putt throughout the library and between the stacks. Enter the raffle to win vouchers from Topgolf Bryan.
This event is free, but registration is required. Register here starting June 1.
- Where: Clara B. Mounce Public Library
- When: Sunday, July 13, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Chemistry Roadshow
Dr. Jim Pennington with Texas A&M University will entertain and educate with science experiments, *all ages welcome, loud noise/smoke will be part of the show. Limited seating is available, and free tickets can be picked up 30 minutes before each show.
Location 1:
- Where: Clara B. Mounce Public Library
- When: Tuesday, July 15, 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. *Both shows are the same
Location 2:
- Where: Larry J. Ringer Library
- When: Thursday, July 17, 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. *Both shows are the same
Art Contest
The Summer Annual Art Contest this year truly embraces the theme Color Our World : Colorea Nuestro Mundo!
The Summer Art Contest for 2025 will have patrons voting on which artwork will be the winner for each age category. The voting will be done per library location with one winner per the following age groups:
- Ages 5-6
- Ages 7-8
- Ages 9-10
- Ages 11-13
- Ages 14-17
Contest Rules
- Artwork must be done on an 11” x 8.5” piece of paper, and must not be in a frame. Anything bigger or in a frame will not be accepted.
- Artwork will be accepted from July 1-15; artwork brought in after July 15th will not be accepted. It must also be created no earlier than June 1, 2025 and accompanied by a digital or print Copyright/Photo Release form.
- On the back of each creation the following information must be provided:
- name of artist
- age of artist
- an email or phone number of legal guardian, where staff can contact if the artwork is selected as a winner
- All artwork must be picked up from the library where it was submitted by August 29 or we will be forced to discard it.
Judging
- Artwork will be arranged by age category at both Mounce and Ringer.
- Patrons will be able to view the artwork and vote on two creations from each age category.
- Voting will take place from July 21-July 28.
- Age Category winners will be contacted by August 1.
Prizes
- Ages 5-6
Set of 3 Watercolor Art Books and Jumbo Coloring Pages - Ages 7-8
Crayola art kit and Paint/Recolor Dinosaur Kit - Ages 9-10
Purple Turtle Certificate and Crayola Puffy Paint Craft Kit - Ages 11-13
$25 U-Paint It Gift Card and IlluStory Book Making Kit - Ages 14-17
Water Color Set and Certificate for Watercolor Retreat
Grand Prize Art Contest Winner
- The Grand Prize Winner will be voted upon by library staff. All age category winners from both locations will be eligible.
- The Grand Prize Winner will be contacted by August 11.
- This winner will have their artwork featured on our 2026 Brazos Valley Children’s Literary Festival: Open a Book, Open a World t-shirt. The winner will be awarded a t-shirt and recognized at the Festival. Save the date April 11, 2026!
Writing Contest
The Summer Annual Writing Contest is for ages 18+ from June 1 – July 31. Participants must live in Brazos County to be eligible to participate.
Writing Prompt
You woke up one morning to find that everything in your world has turned black and white. Write a story about how you bring back color using your artistic talents and creativity. OR He/She/They/Proper Name woke up one morning to find that everything in their world has turned black and white. Write a story about how they bring back color using their artistic talents and creativity.
Guidelines
- All entries must be received by July 31, 2025.
- Submissions may be in first, second or third person
- 2,000 Word Limit
- Must include word count on submission
- Email submission to Ashley at areed@bryantx.gov
- Submit as a Word or PDF file
Prizes
- 1st Place: $30 gift card to Hyperbole
- 2nd Place: $25 gift card to Hyperbole
- 3rd Place: $20 gift card to Hyperbole
Sponsors
We extend a huge “thank you” to our sponsors! We couldn’t do it without community support! Thank you for donating prizes for our Color Our World: Colorea Nuestro Mundo Summer Reading Program.
- Friends of the Bryan + College Station Library System
- Brazos Watercolor Retreats
- Little Caesars
- Purple Turtle Art Studio
- The Remnants of Nawlins
- Topgolf
- U Paint-It
