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The following is a list of the upcoming programs at the Racine Public Library.
Please note: COVID-19 safety information for RPL is below the programming information.

Library Services & Event Registration

Week of July 18 – 24

Register for Racine Public Library programs in one of the following ways (unless noted otherwise):

  • Call 262-636-9217
  • Visit the library at 75 7th Street Racine, WI
  • The Racine Public Library is open:
    • Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Clicking the button below will take you to the events page on the Racine Public Library’s website.

Library News

Career Services at the Library
The Job Center of Wisconsin is hosting pop-up services in the Racine Public Library! Stop in during their open sessions to get help with resume writing, interview preparation, strengthening your job search, applying for unemployment and registering on the Job Center of Wisconsin website.

Job support service dates and times:

  • July 19, 2022 | 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • July 26, 2022 | 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

No registration is required — just drop in! Virtual workshops are also available.

Construction Zone Ahead
The library’s second-floor renovation has begun! Shelves and items will be moving to different parts of the library while work is in progress, and the library will be a bit louder than usual for the coming months. If you need assistance finding anything, our staff will be happy to help.

The upgraded Innovation Lab, Teen Space, Business Center and study spaces are moving full speed ahead. Walls for these spaces have started going up around the library. Construction on the staircase will require a few extra steps (no pun intended), so this has been adjusted to begin in late July. When the staircase moves forward, parts of the lobby will be blocked off, including the public first-floor bathrooms. For more information, visit RacineLibrary.info/renovation.

Summer Reading Underway
2022’s Summer Reading theme is Oceans of Possibilities. Log your reading throughout the summer to earn badges and prizes. Get started at RacineLibrary.BeanStack.org.

For more details about summer reading programs and events, visit RacineLibrary.info, where you can browse, sign up for the library’s newsletter or follow its social media. Summer reading is sponsored by the Friends of the Racine Public Library.

All Ages

2022 STEAM at Home Challenge
Saturday, May 14 – Wednesday, Aug. 31
Complete STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) related tasks to stretch your knowledge and maybe win a prize! The more tasks you complete, the more tickets you earn for our raffle baskets. You could win a work-from-home computer set, a robotics set, or a Raspberry Pi kit.
Register at RacineLibrary.BeanStack.org/reader365.

Camp NaNoWriMo
Friday, July 1-Sunday, July 31 | Track your progress at Youth Services – 1st Floor
Is the annual National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) not enough for all the creative ideas you have brimming? Welcome to Camp NaNo, an annual writing event that takes place every July. Patrons of all ages are invited to “set up camp” and work on any type of creative project, not just a novel. First drafts or revisions, scripts or stories or poems or essays — all are welcome! Just set a goal and get writing.

Summer Scares: Horror Podcast Showdown
Monday, July 4-Sunday, July 31
Listen to horror podcasts and vote for your favorites! Each week, the winning podcasts will move on to the next round as we try to determine Racine’s favorite horror podcast. Summer Scares is sponsored by the Friends of the Racine Public Library. Check our website for the form to participate.

Maker Monday
Monday, July 18 | 9 a.m.-7 p.m. | Atrium – 1st Floor
The relocated Innovation Lab will be open all day for you to stop in and try our 3D printers, laser engravers, virtual reality, drones and more! Try printing out a figurine or useful tool, or engrave a tag for your pet. You can even stay for a while to use our gaming systems.
No registration is required.

Lunch Break at the Library
Every Wednesday, the library will host food trucks in the circle of Library Drive from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tables will be set up on the sidewalk in front of the library for casual outdoor dining. While you’re here, be sure to stick around to learn some new tech skills at Lunch and Learn!

July 20: T & N’s Eggroll House
July 27: TBD
Aug. 3: Hydn Grilled Cheese
Aug. 10: Picos Tacos
Aug. 17: Fork N’ Fry
Aug. 24: TBD
Aug. 31: Piña Mexican Eats

Lunch and Learn
Wednesday, July 20 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Circle of Library Drive
Pick up lunch from the food truck at the Racine Public Library, then stick around to learn something new! At 11 a.m. is a bilingual STEM storytime, and at noon is a technology information session about how to use library resources and other technology.
No registration is required.

Summer Scares: Board Game Fright Night
Wednesday, July 20 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Lee Room – 1st Floor, in Atrium | Teens and Adults
The library’s Beyond Books collection has a riveting selection of horror games. We’ll have these games set up for you to try tonight, so bring your friends and family, and get ready for some spooky fun. Summer Scares is sponsored by the Friends of the Racine Public Library.

Spice It Up!
Wednesday, July 20 until supplies run out | 2nd Floor Staff Desk
Once a month, we’ll give you a spice packet with recipe ideas, fun facts and — of course — the spice itself. Just stop by the second-floor staff desk to pick up your sample.

Kids

Sea Creature Science
Monday, July 18 | 2 p.m. | Martin Room – 1st Floor, in Youth Services
Do you know what creatures live in our oceans? Come learn about some new animals — we’ve got crafts, fun facts and other activities for your enjoyment.
Registration is required.

Lap-Sit Storytime
Tuesday, July 19 | 9:30 a.m | Martin Room, Youth Services – 1st Floor | 2 years and under
Introduce your child to the library through new stories, simple songs and rhymes.
No registration is required.

Tuesday Tales
Thursday, July 19 | 10 a.m. | Youth Services – 1st Floor
Sit down with us to enjoy songs, stories and fun activities.
No registration is required.

Girls Who Code Club — Elementary School
Tuesday, July 19 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – 1st Floor, in the Atrium | For Girls in Grades 3-5
Learn computer science skills, and you can change the world. Girls Who Code clubs like this one offer a supportive sisterhood where you’ll not only build new skills but also make new friends and role models.
Registration is required.

Musical Family Storytime
Tuesday, July 19 | 6 p.m. | Youth Services – 1st Floor
Sing, wiggle and dance with Miss Carrie. We’ll have different songs, instruments and stories for you to hear every week.
No registration is required.

Family Storytime
Wednesday, July 20 | 10 a.m. | Youth Services – 1st Floor
Join us for music, motion and fun as we explore some of Miss Gail’s favorite stories. Her unique storytelling style captures children’s minds and hearts, creating an inclusive space for everyone to interact.
No registration is required.

Noche de Cuentos
Miércoles 20 de julio | 6 p.m. | Servicios para Jóvenes – 1er Piso
Un tiempo para fomentar el interés por la lectura entre nuestras niñas a través de escuchar cuentos en español. ¡Todos bienvenidos! Evento en persona.

Bilingual STEM Storytime
Wednesday, July 20 | 11 a.m. | Circle of Library Drive
Pick up lunch from Jaramillo’s food truck outside the Racine Public Library, and then settle in for a storytime in both Spanish and English.
No registration is required.

Preschool Dance Party
Thursday, July 21 | 10 a.m. | Youth Services – 1st Floor
Come listen to music and dance! This party is like a storytime, just without the stories.
No registration is required.

Do You Want to Learn about Insects?
Wednesday, July 20th | 10:45-11:30 a.m. | Youth Services – 1st Floor
Are you a fan of the creepy and the crawly? Ed Laznicka, a scientist from SC Johnson, will be bringing you some of his favorites for an insect show-and-tell at the Racine Public Library.

Tweens and Teens

Tween Game Night
Monday, July 18 | 4 p.m. | Lee Room – 1st Floor, in the Atrium
Bring your friends and your favorite board and card games to play, or try some of our games — we’ve got everything from chess to Catan!
No registration is required.

Girls Who Code Club — Middle School
Tuesday, July 19 | 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | The Innovation Lab – 1st Floor, in the Atrium | Girls in Grades 6-8
Learn computer science skills, and you can change the world. Girls Who Code clubs like this one offer a supportive sisterhood where you’ll not only build new skills but also make new friends and role models.
Registration is required.

Teen Craft and Chat
Thursday, July 21 | 4 p.m. | The Martin Room – 1st Floor, in Youth Services
Come hang out at the Racine Public Library while we show you how to create the craft of the month.
Registration is required.

Adults

What You Should Know about Strokes — A Presentation with Aurora Health Care
Monday, July 18 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Lee Room – 1st Floor, in Atrium
Learn how to check your blood pressure with the library’s new blood pressure monitors, and hear from a nurse at Aurora Healthcare what you need to know about strokes.
No registration is required.

Career Development Services with Job Center of Wisconsin
Tuesday, July 19 | 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | 2nd Floor
The Job Center of Wisconsin is hosting pop-up services in the Racine Public Library! Stop in during their open sessions to get help with resume writing, interview preparation, strengthening your job search, applying for unemployment and registering on the Job Center of Wisconsin website. Virtual workshops are also available.
No registration is required.

Senior Classic Movie Day
Thursday, July 21 | 10 to 11:30 a.m. | Atrium – 1st Floor | 55+
Join us for a classic movie night! We’re setting up our full-size screen, projector — and of course, popcorn — for your enjoyment. July 21’s film is a 1963 classic starring Steve McQueen, James Garner and Jack Nicholson.
No registration is required.

Racine Public Library COVID-19 Information

  • The Racine Public Library is open to browsing, hold pickups, computer use, study room use, tech help, reference questions, and anything else someone might want to visit the building for.
  • The Bookmobile is operating under its normal hours and is open for one party to browse on board at a time.
  • The Racine Public Library and Bookmobile require everyone to wear masks inside, and there are surgical-grade masks available to patrons who don’t have their own.
  • The Racine Public Library building is maintaining the social distancing layout, so computer stations, desks, etc. are all spaced to facilitate patron safety.
  • Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building as well.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding of our efforts to ensure everyone’s safety.

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 library first opened its doors in 1897 and has served the community from its 75th Street location since 1958.


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