The Camden County Library District is more than just a place to check out books — this summer, it’s the heart of our community’s creativity, learning and connection to coloring our world. With a vibrant lineup of events scheduled for all ages, the library invites residents to discover something new, meet their neighbors and experience the joy of shared stories and ideas.
From weekly story times to Summer Reading Challenge performances, and from book clubs for adults to live music and hands-on crafting events, something is happening almost every day at all six of our library branches. Best of all, every event is free and open to the public.
Stroll through our libraries this month, and you may find something surprising. Here are a few notable events:
• People of all ages are welcome to join every Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Camdenton Library for live bluegrass music. Most of the musicians have performed together on stage at Lee Mace’s Opry, located in Osage Beach. They invite other local musicians to join them on stage.Golden Bluegrass wants to share the love of music, especially bluegrass, with everyone and hopes to find new listeners and players to carry on the traditions of bluegrass music.
• The Climax Springs Library will host Mad Science on Wednesday, July 16, at 10:30 a.m. This show is intended for ages 6 to 11, but all ages are welcome to attend and see the “mad scientists” use prisms to bend light and many other light-themed experiments.
• Stripes, spots, swirls and speckles — nature is bursting with color, patterns and textures. This summer, Dickerson Park Zoo invites you to the Macks Creek Library on Wednesday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m. to explore the fantastic world of animal coloration. In this fun and fascinating program, kids and adults will uncover how animals use their colors and patterns for camouflage, communication and clever survival strategies.
• Then, on Wednesday, July 16, at 10:30 a.m., Lindsey Dillon-Webster with Bridal Cave will be at the Osage Beach Library to discuss the many different colors found throughout the cave, from the vibrant colors in the water to the bling found in the crystal formations strewn throughout.
• At the Stoutland Library, children aged 8 to 12 are invited to join our Kids in the Kitchen series of events with Ms. Sherry Combs from the University of Missouri Extension Office. These events occur on Tuesdays throughout July from 2 to 3 p.m.; registration is required.
• Kids are invited to explore the world of magic tricks and sleight of hand when Gerry Tritz from Mid-MO Magic takes the stage at the Sunrise Beach Community Center on Wednesday, July 23, at 1:30 p.m.
For more information about these events and all others occurring in July, please visit in person at any of the six locations, online at www.ccld.us, on the library calendar at www.camdencounty.librarycalendar.com, through the social media pages (Facebook & Instagram) or in their quarterly magazine Between the Pages.
