OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAMS IN BAY COUNTY

May 19, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAMS IN BAY COUNTY 

 

(PANAMA CITY, FL) –Dive into the summer with exciting tales of pirates, sea creatures, mermaids, and more! The Northwest Regional Library System aspires to help students to prevent the “summer slide” by providing a variety of engaging, educational programs that encourage discovery. Many of these programs fit this summer’s theme, Oceans of Possibilities. Summer reading allows children to maintain their reading skills during the summer break and foster a love of reading when they read for fun.

Library cards are free for all residents of Bay, Gulf and Liberty Counties. Twenty library materials can be checked out at a time. An additional five eBooks and eAudiobooks can be checked out through the Libby app. First download the Libby app to your device, select Panhandle Library Access Network, and then Northwest Regional Library System as your location. All you need is a library card and pin number! For more information on upcoming library events and services, visit www.nwrls.com or call 850-522-2100.

 

BAY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

 

• Oceans of Possibilities Dolphin Double Feature Fun (Families)
• Saturday, June 11th at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT
• Inspired by the incredible true story of Winter, this two-film series features a dolphin who was rescued off the Florida coast. Film screenings held in the Meeting Room. Popcorn provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

 

• Movie Showing (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, June 16th at 2 p.m. CT
• Join us in Youth Services for a showing of a charming Japanese animated film about a young goldfish princess who longs to become human. Bring a blanket or cushion for reclining on the floor.

 

• Virtual Program: Do Librarians Know the Ocean?
• Thursday, June 16th at 2 p.m. CT
• We’re quizzing librarians on ocean facts to see whether they have the knowledge to sink or swim. Watch BCPL staff get schooled in the “O-fish-al” Summer Reading Ocean Quiz. This will be released on the library’s Northwest Regional Library System FL YouTube channel and Facebook.

 

• Oceans of Possibilities Read, Rock & Rhyme Storytime (Ages 3 – 5)
• Thursdays, June 16th – July 21st at 10:30 – 11 a.m. CT
• Join us as we explore Oceans of Possibilities through stories, songs, and activities.

 

• Bright Star Touring Theater: The Little Mermaid (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, June 23rd at 2 p.m. CT
• Learn and laugh out loud with an ocean-themed performance from Bright Star Touring Theater.

 

• Mermaid’s Tale Take & Make Craft (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, June 23rd
• Pick up a craft kit and learn to assemble the perfect mermaid tail decoration. Craft kits are available while supplies last.

 

• Mini Pirate Ship Take & Make Craft (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, June 30th
• Ahoy! Assemble a mini pirate ship fit for a Lego Pirate King using simple, household materials. Craft kits are available while supplies last.

 

• Jolly Roger Art Contest (Ages 5 – 12)
• Starting on Thursday, June 30th
• Enter an original Jolly Roger (pirate flag) design by JULY 21^st for a chance to win a Pirate-themed prize. Winners will be announced July 25th. Submit completed designs to the Youth Service Desk.

 

• Minecraft Squid Take & Make Craft (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, July 7th
• Pick up a craft kit and make your own Minecraft Squid Mob. Craft kits are available while supplies last.

 

• Water Pokémon Matching Challenge (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, July 7th (All Day)
• Can you match a Water Pokémon with its real-life, animal counterpart? Earn Pokémon cards by taking on this fun, fandom challenge.

 

• The Five Ocean Zones Take & Make Craft (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, July 14th
• Discover what mythical monsters lurk in the briny deep, then put your knowledge on display with an ocean zone craft kit. Craft kits are available while supplies last.

 

• Diving and Exploration (Ages 5 – 12) (YouTube/Facebook Virtual Program)
• Thursday, July 14th at 2 p.m. CT
• Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about diving during this video lesson with a real Navy diver.

 

• Sea Creature Touch Tank (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, July 21st from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. CT
• How about a hands-on experience with local aquatic life? Explore touch tanks provided by the UF/IFAS Bay County Extension Office Florida Sea Grant Program.

 

• Egg Carton Turtle Craft (Ages 5 – 12)
• Thursday, July 21st
• Learn to turn recycled egg cartons into tiny turtle art projects. Craft kits available while supplies last.

 

• Youth Services Ocean Scavenger Hunt (June/July)
• Search hidden ocean-themed clues and get a goody bag!

 

BAY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES TEEN PROGRAMMING

 

• VR Ocean Tour (Ages 14-18)
• Tuesday, June 14th at 2 p.m. CT
• Explore the ocean using Virtual Reality! Experience both a diving game and real underwater footage. Registration required. Call Youth Services 850-522-2118 to register.

 

• Virtual Program Upcycled Origami with Kat: Sea Creatures 1 (Ages 11 – 18)
• Wednesday, June 15th at 2 p.m. CT
• Learn how to fold an origami squid and fun crab! This will be released on the library’s Northwest Regional Library System FL YouTube channel and Facebook.

 

• Mermaid Necklace Take and Make (Ages 11 – 18)
• Starting Tuesday, June 21st while supplies last.
• Make your own mermaid necklace. Pick up the kit at Youth Services.

 

• Plarn Craft (Ages 11 – 18)
• Tuesday, June 28th at 2 p.m. CT
• Learn how to make plarn (plastic yarn from bags). Make a plarn craft which reuses plastic & helps save our oceans. Registration required. Call Youth Services 850-522-2118 to register.

 

• CD Fish Take and Make (Ages 11 – 18)
• Starting Tuesday, July 5th while supplies last.
• Make a cool, recycled hanging fish out of an old CD. Pick up the kit at Youth Services.

 

• Anime Club (Ages 11-18)
• Tuesday, July 12th at 2 p.m. CT
• Learn about Japan’s Ocean Day. Registration required. Call Youth Services 850-522-2118 to register.

 

• Virtual Program Upcycled Origami with Kat: Sea Creatures 2 (Ages 11 – 18)
• Wednesday, July 13th at 2 p.m. CT
• Learn how to fold an easy whale and sea turtle! This will be released on the library’s Northwest Regional Library System FL YouTube channel and Facebook.

 

• Bottle Bracelet Take and Make (Ages 11 – 18)
• Starting Tuesday, July 19th while supplies last.
• Make a bracelet out of a bottle. Recycle while you craft! Pick up the kit at Youth Services.

 

• Ride the Waves (Ages 14-18)
• Tuesday, July 26th at 11 a.m. CT
• Learn some coping skills and relaxation techniques taught by an expert from the Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital. Registration required. Call Youth Services 850-522-2118 to register.

 

BAY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES ADULT PROGRAMMING

 

• Man in the Sea Museum: Discover the Underwater World
• Tuesday, June 7th at 2 p.m. CT
• Learn about the history of diving and the Man in the Sea Museum. Program geared for adults and presented by a retired Navy Diver from the Man in the Sea Museum. A Man in the Sea Museum display will be in the library lobby throughout the months of June and July.
• The Man in the Sea Museum (17314 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach) showcases the progress of Military Diving, from the earliest days of diving to the most modern underwater equipment. The Man in the Sea Museum is ran by the Institute of Diving, a non-profit educational organization formed in 1977. The museum brings you treasures recovered from sunken ships dating from 1500, along with more recent commercial and Naval equipment, vehicles, and habitats. Both adults and children are encouraged to visit the Man in the Sea Museum to view displays of early diving equipment, climb through the SEALAB 1, and other exhibits! For more information about the museum, check out https://maninthesea.org/

 

• BCPL Summer Family Film
• PBS POV Documentary: Inventing Tomorrow (NR, 2018)
• Saturday, July 9th at 2 p.m. CT
• Passionate teenage innovators from around the globe create cutting-edge solutions to confront the world’s environmental threats—found right in their own backyards—while navigating the doubts and insecurities that mark adolescence. These inspiring teens prepare their projects for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world: the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
• Film screening held in the Meeting Room. Popcorn provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

 

• Sailor Knot Bracelets with Creativebug (18+)
• Tuesday, June 21st at 2 p.m. CT
• Travel the high seas in style with a sailor’s knot bracelet. Materials provided, registration required. Call 850-522-2107 to register. Learn how to use Creativebug, a database of art and craft online videos! Creativebug subscription service is available for FREE through the library database page through September. This program is funded under the provisions of the DLIS Florida American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Florida’s DLIS ARPA program is administered by the Dept. of States Division of Library and Information Services.

 

• Pathways of the Heart: Lighthouses and Writing with Marilyn Turk
• Tuesday, July 19th at 2 p.m. CT
• Marilyn Turk has visited over 100 lighthouses, researching their histories and collecting ideas for her writing. Each novel includes a historic lighthouse in it including the most recent title Abigail’s Secret. Join us as she shares how lighthouses inspire her creative writing process! Books will be available for purchase and book signing.

 

PANAMA CITY BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY

OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

 

• Bright Star Touring Company: The Little Mermaid
• Thursday, June 23rd at 10 a.m. CT
• Join us for this classic tale of The Little Mermaid presented by the Bright Star Touring Company.

 

• Sea Creature Craft Day at the Library
• Wednesday, June 29th at 10 a.m. CT
• Have fun designing Octopus, Turtle, and Jellyfish crafts!

 

• Oceans of Possibilities Scavenger Hunt
• Wednesday, July 6th at 10 a.m. CT
• Scavenger Hunt in the Children’s section of the library. Dive for clues, find sea facts, and swim to the circulation desk for a prize from our treasure chest.

 

• Game Day at the Library (All Ages)
• Wednesday, July 13th at 10 a.m.
• Join the library staff for tabletop games!

 

• Chalk Day
• Wednesday, July 20th
• Come grab a piece of chalk and design your very own sea shape on our sidewalk! Chalk will be available all day.

 

• A School of Fish Tales
• Wednesday, July 27th at 10 a.m. CT
• Help us close out our Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Program with local storyteller, Pat Nease, who will present A School of Fish Tales. There’s something fishy about these stories, but for shore they serve a porpoise.

 

PANAMA CITY BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY

OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES ADULT PROGRAMMING

• Sea Needles
• Fridays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT
• Bring your yarn and let’s knit!

 

 

Northwest Regional Library System locations in Bay County:

 

Bay County Public Library

898 W. 11th Street, Panama City

850-522-2100

Hours:

Monday – Wednesday (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

Thursday – Saturday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

 

Panama City Beach Public Library

12500 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach

850-233-5055

Hours:

Monday – Wednesday (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Thursday – Friday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Saturday (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

 

Parker Public Library

4710 Second Street, Parker

850-871-3092

Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)