Hastings Public Library Roars into the 2026 Summer Reading Program with Block Party Kick-Off

Hastings Public Library kicks off the 2026 Summer Reading Program with a Block Party. The theme of the 2026 Summer Reading Program is "Unearth a Story” and is all about digging into a good book, uncovering hidden histories, and exploring the past through the pages. While focusing on dinosaurs, paleontology, and archeology, this year’s theme also emphasizes that every person and every community has stories waiting to be found and shared.

The Block Party will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at the Hastings Public Library, 314 N. Denver Ave. The block party activities will take place outside of the library, on the 300 block of North Denver Avenue, which will be closed to traffic during the event.

The Block Party will host several community organizations, including Joy Ride Pedal Company, Hastings Museum, Prairie Loft, Mentoring Works, Hastings Police Department, Hastings Fire Department, Hastings Community Theatre, Hastings Parks and Recreation Department, Epworth Family Resources, Bikers Against Child Abuse, 4H, and Headstart. Booths will include temporary tattoos, pedal rides, face painting, a dino dig, and more. Two hundred hot dogs, donated by Russ’s, will be available while supplies last.

There will also be a booth available for registration for the Summer Reading Program and information about upcoming programs through the summer as well as a table to sign up for a
library card inside the library. Registration for the Summer Reading Program can also be done directly on the Beanstack app or through the Summer Reading Program page on the library’s
website.

The program is available to all ages, categorized into the following groups: Ages 0 to 4; Ages 5-7; Ages 8-12; Ages 13-17, and Ages 18 and older. Each group has different reading goals to be completed to earn tickets to be put toward a grand prizes for each group. Winners to be drawn at the end of the program.

Free events and programs are available throughout the summer for all ages. The special family events include: Unearth a Storytime, 1-3pm at Chautauqua Park on Thursdays; Sea Monsters of Nebraska, 2pm on June 3; Unearth Nebraska: Exploring 13,000 Years of History, 2pm on June 10;

Jurassic Magic, 2pm on June 17; A Mesozoic Adventure, 2pm on June 22; Stomp, Chomp, Roar, 2pm on July 6; Dinosaur Encounter, 2pm on July 10; Page to Stage: Frozen, 10:30am on July 13; and Prehistoric Sound Adventure, 2pm on July 31.

Other special events include a Dino-Rama Contest, beginning June 12 with a submission deadline of July 10. Participants can pick up a kit of dinosaur figures and create a diorama of a scene from media, books, art, or historical event. The public will vote for their favorites July 13-24. Details available on the library’s calendar.

Pub Quiz is returning for four events over the summer at Steeple Brewing Co., 717 W. First Street. Themes and dates are Unearth the Answers: Indiana Jones Night, 7pm on June 11; Lost & Found: Hidden Histories Night, 7pm on June 25; Map It Out: Geography & Journeys, 7pm on July 9; and Decode the Clues: Mysteries & Puzzles, 7pm on July 23. Prizes will be awarded to winning teams.
For a full schedule of events, visit the library’s online calendar.

HPL will conclude the Summer Reading Program with a wrap-up party at the Community Center, 6-7pm, 2015 W. Third Street. on July 31. We will celebrate the summer with a glow-in the-dark dance party. Grand prize winners of the Summer Reading Program and winners of the Dino-Rama Contest will be announced at the event.

For more information about the program or events, please visit the library's website at
www.hastingslibrary.us or call the library at 402-461-2346.