Upcoming Programs and Events at the Racine Public Library Aug. 5 – 12

The following is a list of the upcoming programs at the Racine Public Library.

Library Services & Event Registration

Week of August 5 – 12

Library News

Nick Demske Appointed Interim Director
After two and a half years with the Racine Public Library, Angela Zimmermann has resigned from her position as the executive director. In her resignation on Thursday, July 27, she shared that her last day would be Friday, July 28.

Nick Demske has accepted his appointment by the board of the Racine Public Library to the role of Racine Public Library’s interim director. More details will be available in the coming days about the board’s search for a permanent executive director.

Reading and Learning All Summer Long
Summer is the season to play, recharge, and grow. Whether you’re a student in need of learning opportunities so you don’t lose the skills you learned throughout the school year, or out of school but ready to try something new to stretch yourself, we’ve got some great activities for you throughout the season:

• All Together Now: Summer Reading at the Racine Public Library — Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, Aug. 31. Get started at RacineLibrary.BeanStack.com, or visit RacineLibrary.info/calendar and search for “All Together Now.”
• All Together Now: Racine Monopoly — Thursday, June 1 through Saturday, Aug. 5. Stop by one of the staff desks to get started.
• Summer Scares — Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, Aug. 31. Visit the Racine Library’s calendar online and search for “Summer Scares” to find activities.
• Summer of Play STEM Challenge — Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, Aug. 31. Sign up on Beanstack.
• Lunch Break at the Library — Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 24 through Sept. 6. Stop by the circle of Library Drive to try foods from local food trucks.

All Ages

All Together Now: Summer Reading at the Racine Public Library
Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, Aug. 31 | Racine Public Library
Join us at the library as we host a series of summer programs for everyone in your family. This year, the summer reading theme is “All Together Now,” which focuses on kindness, unity and friendship. Summer Reading Program is an annual initiative hosted by the Racine Public Library — and libraries around the world — to keep our community all reading and learning together.

To set reading goals, track your progress and enter to win prizes, sign up at RacineLibrary.BeanStack.com. To find All Together Now activities, just search up “All Together Now” at RacineLibrary.info/calendar.
Registration is required.

All Together Now: Racine Monopoly
Thursday, June 1 through Saturday, Aug. 5 | Racine Public Library and locations throughout Racine
We’re kicking off summer reading with a round of Racine Monopoly, where you can try activities at locations throughout Racine for a chance to win prizes like a one-year family pass to the Racine Art Museum, gift cards to local businesses, plants and more.

To get started, stop by the library’s adult or youth services desks to grab your Racine Monopoly board. From there, visit stops on the board and complete activities to earn stamps. Your goal is to complete a Monopoly by getting a stamp for all the locations in a color set. Once you complete a Monopoly, stop back into the library to be entered to win a prize. You can complete as many Monopolies as there are colors on the board — just make sure to log all your Monopolies at the library by Saturday, Aug. 5. Prizes will be drawn the week of Aug. 7.
Registration is required.

Summer of Play: STEM Challenge
Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, Aug. 31 | RacineLibrary.BeanStack.com
Play with different STEM activities this summer to earn badges and enter to win prizes. Activities include attending a Maker Monday session, checking out titles from Libby and hoopla, trying LinkedIn Learning or one of our technology classes, and more. You can use the tickets you earn from completing activities to enter drawings to win a 3D printer. To get started, sign up for Summer of Play at RacineLibrary.BeanStack.com.
Registration is required.

Maker Monday
Monday, Aug. 7 | 9 a.m.-7 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance
Every Monday, stop in to try different STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) activities. Make something new, try out fun games and experiences, or spend some time at our Just Dance or Switch Sports station. On Monday, July 31, conjure your own Harry Potter wand with the aid of our magic 3D printer, and explore robotics and coding with our Ozo bots and Cubelets.
No registration is required.

Memory Café • Café de la memoria
Tuesday, Aug. 8 • Martes, 8 de Agosto | 1-2:30 p.m. | Community Room • Sala Comunitaria | Anyone experiencing early stage dementia, mild memory loss or mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
A Memory Café is a comfortable social gathering that allows people experiencing memory loss, along with their loved ones, to socialize, enjoy activities and make connections with others. This program is facilitated with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Racine County, Senior Helpers, Assisted Living Locators and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Racine Public Library is Purple Angel trained.

Café de la Memoria es una reunión cómoda, donde personas impactadas con pérdida de memoria junto a sus familiares o seres queridos, pueden establecer conexiones, disfrutar y participar de actividades y también pueden socializarse con más personas. Se puede registrar en cualquier momento y por diferentes maneras – en la entrada, siguendo el código QR, en RacineLibrary.info/calendar o llamando a la Biblioteca Pública de Racine al (262) 636-9217 para obtener ayuda.
Registration is required. • Por Favor Regístrese.

Lunch Break at the Library
Wednesday, July 26 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Library Drive – outside the first-floor entrance
Grab lunch while you stop in to pick up holds or browse the shelves! Each week, we’re hosting a rotation of food trucks offering a variety of cuisines for you to try. This week’s truck is Piña Mexican Eats.
No registration is required.

Chess Club
Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 5-7 p.m. | Community Room – Adult Services, 2nd Floor (by the elevator)
This open play chess club is facilitated by Jeff Garcia, a member of the U.S. Chess Federation. When you arrive, all you have to do is settle in for a match with any of the available players. Players of all levels are welcome. The library has a limited number of chess sets, so please feel free to bring your own.
Registration is required.

Kids

Computer Basics: Learn to Type
Saturday, Aug. 5 | Noon-1 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance
Hone your typing skills or get started on your typing journey. We’ll have you typing like a pro in no time.
Registration is required.

3D Printing 101
Saturday, Aug. 5 | 2-3 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance | Grades 3+
3D printers can make figurines, tools, fidget toys, useful items and so much more. Come learn how our 3D printers work, from how to pick and print a model to how the machines turn them into real life.
Registration is required.

Ruff Readers
Monday, Aug. 7 through Thursday, Aug. 10 | 4-5 p.m. | The Martin Room – Youth Services, 1st Floor
Snuggle and pet a therapy dog while practicing your reading skills at the ear of our gentle, non-judgmental canine friends. Bookings are 15 minutes for a single child and must be reserved a week in advance, one week at a time. Call 262-636-9170 to get started.
Registration is required.

Minecraft Club for Grades 4-7
Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 5-6 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance | Kids Entering Grades 4-7
Young Minecraft enthusiasts, join us every Thursday to play cooperatively on a shared server. We’re open to all playstyles, including building, survival and PVP. Sign up quickly — only 12 slots are available. Your registration signs you up for all sessions, every Wednesday through August.
Registration is required.

Friday Afternoon Crafts
Friday, Aug. 11 | 2-3 p.m. | Youth Services – 1st Floor | Pre-K to 13 Years
Every Friday afternoon in August, meet us in youth services for quick, easy and cute craft activities.
No registration is required.

Tweens & Teens

Summer Scares
Various dates Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, Aug. 31 | Racine Public Library
Don’t miss out on a spine-chilling summer! First, read three titles curated by Booklist and the Horror Writers Association — you can pick from our selections for adults, young adults or middle grades. Then, dive deep with us into what makes horror so fascinating by joining book discussions, craft sessions and other activities. To find your sessions, just search up “Summer Scares” at RacineLibrary.info/calendar. Summer Scares is sponsored by the Friends of the Racine Public Library.
Registration is required.

Computer Basics: Learn to Type
Saturday, Aug. 5 | Noon-1 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance
Hone your typing skills or get started on your typing journey. We’ll have you typing like a pro in no time.
Registration is required.

3D Printing 101
Saturday, Aug. 5 | 2-3 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance | Grades 3+
3D printers can make figurines, tools, fidget toys, useful items and so much more. Come learn how our 3D printers work, from how to pick and print a model to how the machines turn them into real life.
Registration is required.

Summer Scares: Teen Craft & Chat — Corn Husk Figures
Thursday, Aug. 10 | 5-6 p.m. | TeenScene – By 2nd-Floor Entrance
Recraft the legend of the faceless corn husk doll. According to the tale, the Spirit of Corn, one of the Three Sisters, crafted a delightful doll out of her husks to amuse children. This exquisite doll’s vanity led her astray, so her face was removed as a punishment.
No registration is required.

Minecraft Club for Grades 8-12
Thursday, Aug. 10 | 5-6 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance | Teens Entering Grades 8-12
Young Minecraft enthusiasts, join us every Thursday to play cooperatively on a shared server. We’re open to all playstyles, including building, survival and PVP. Sign up quickly — only 12 slots are available. Your registration signs you up for all sessions, every Thursday through Aug. 10.
Registration is required.

Friday Afternoon Crafts
Friday, Aug. 11 | 2-3 p.m. | Youth Services – 1st Floor | Pre-K to 13 Years
Every Friday afternoon in August, meet us in youth services for quick, easy and cute craft activities.
No registration is required.

Coding Classes: Scratch 101
Saturday, Aug. 12 | Noon-1 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance | Tweens Grades 4-8
Get started on your coding journey. We’ll walk you through the basics of coding using Scratch, an easy block coding program for young ages.
Registration is required.

Adults

Summer Scares
Various dates Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, Aug. 31 | Racine Public Library
Don’t miss out on a spine-chilling summer! First, read three titles curated by Booklist and the Horror Writers Association — you can pick from our selections for adults, young adults or middle grades. Then, dive deep with us into what makes horror so fascinating by joining book discussions, craft sessions and other activities. To find your sessions, just search up “Summer Scares” at RacineLibrary.info/calendar. Summer Scares is sponsored by the Friends of the Racine Public Library.
Registration is required.

Virtual Anti-Racism Book Group
Monday, Aug. 7 | 1-3 p.m. | Zoom
This book club meets every Monday to cover books and conversations on the topic of racism.
Registration is required.

Tech Tuesday
Tuesday, Aug. 8 | Noon-3 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance
Drop in for personalized tech help and education. Get help with computers, phones, tablets, smart watches and more, or learn more about the tech the Innovation Lab has to offer.
No registration is required.

Spanish & English Citizenship Exam Classes with Voces de la Frontera
Wednesday, Aug. 9 • Spanish: 2-4 p.m. • English: 4:30-6:30 p.m. | The Business Center – Adult Services, 2nd Floor
Voces de la Frontera’s classes will help you get ready to take your citizenship exam. You can come to as many or as few of the sessions as are helpful to you. To register, contact Jeanette Arellano at (414) 236-0415 or Paola Barragan at (262) 346-4027. All students must have at least 5 years residency or 3 years as a permanent resident who is married to a U.S. citizen.
No registration is required.

Computer Basics: Windows 11
Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 5-6 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – By 2nd-Floor Entrance
Learn how to use the Windows 11 operating system. No equipment required — just stop in, and we’ll use the library’s computers to show you the ropes.
No registration is required.

Senior Dominoes
Thursday, Aug. 10 | 10-11 a.m. | Community Room – Adult Services, 2nd Floor (by the elevator) | Adults 50+
Come play a few sessions of dominoes with us! Beginners are welcome. We’ll set up everything you need to play, so all you need to bring is yourself.
No registration is required.

Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, Aug. 10 | 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. | Community Room – Adult Services, 2nd Floor (by the elevator)
Let’s talk about things that matter over a cup of coffee or tea! Enjoy coffee and conversation with people of all backgrounds who can listen, laugh, learn and exchange ideas. This is an open space to meet people with diverse views and a shared passion for engaging with others. Each month will offer different topics, activities and possible guest speakers.
No registration is required.

Ayuda Tecnica
Available by appointment | Innovation Lab – 2nd Floor, by public computers | Racine Public Library
Obtenga ayuda técnica con su teléfono, tableta o computadora totalmente gratis. Cuando llame pregunte por Brianna o deje un mensaje de voz. 262-619-2560.
Registration is required.

About the Racine Public Library

The Racine Public Library’s mission is to lift up the lives of the people of the Racine community by embracing community diversity, promoting inclusion, creating opportunity and supporting the development of community literacy through a love of literature, learning and civic engagement. Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, the Racine Public Library first opened its doors in 1897 and has served the community from its 75th Street location since 1958.

Come and see our newly-renovated space!