Summer Reading Program
Discover Summer Reading!
Join PFPL on Beanstack to track your reading all summer long! Audiobooks, ebooks, and graphic novels all count too!
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the America 250 Reading Challenge! Track your reading, collect badges, and even earn special achievements for reading on select days, all while exploring 250 years of stories, history, and innovation across Pennsauken.
Log your reading online through Beanstack. Register by scanning the QR code or at pennsaukenlibrary.beanstack.org/
Readers of all ages are eligible to participate over 5 age groups:
- Read with Me (ages 0-5)
- Independent Reader (ages 6-9)
- Tweens (ages 10-12)
- Teens (ages 13-17)
- Adults (ages 18+)
The America 250 challenge will be available starting June 20th. You can also join our Yearlong Community Challenge Read It Your Way any time, aiming to have the Pennsauken community read 5,000 books in 2026!
Summer Reading is for everyone! Readers of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to participate in the way that works best for them.
America 250
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we honor New Jersey’s important role in our nation’s founding. From Revolutionary War battlefields and historic homes to museums and local landmarks throughout South Jersey, communities continue to preserve and share the stories that shaped America. We encourage you to visit these historic sites this summer and explore our shared heritage.
Below are a few suggested historic sites to visit this summer for America's 250th Anniversary!
Camden County Historical Society & Pomona Hall
1900 Park Blvd, Camden, NJ 08103 - cchsnj.org
Home to a new American Revolution Exhibit, the 1726 Pomona Hall historic house, and the African American History Room. The CCHS anchors Camden County's Rev 250 programming with interactive heritage trails and audio tours.
Benjamin Cooper House (Am. Rev. Museum of Southern NJ)
60 Erie St, Camden, NJ 08102 -amrevmuseumsnj.com
Built in 1734 by the founder of Camden's grandson, this NJ-endangered landmark was used by the British in 1777–78 to coordinate attacks on Fort Mercer and support the evacuation of Philadelphia. Now open as a museum for the 250th.
Cooper's Ferry Site
Cooper Ave & Second St, Camden, NJ -revolutionarywarnewjersey.com
A historic marker at this Delaware River crossing marks where Hessian troops crossed during the Battle of Red Bank (October 1777). Because it linked Philadelphia to New Jersey, it saw intense military activity while the British occupied the city.
Battle of Gloucester & Haddonfield Heritage Trail
Haddonfield & Gloucester City, NJ -cchsnj.org/americas-250th
A self-guided trail connecting multiple historic markers that document British raids on Haddonfield and the 1777 Battle of Gloucester. Plaques trace the movement of troops and the civilian experience of occupation along Kings Highway.
General Resources
- Pennsauken Historical Society: facebook.com/PennsaukenHistoricalSociety
- Camden County Am. Rev. Trail Map & Audio Tours: cchsnj.org/americas-250th
- Visit South Jersey 250 sites: visitsouthjersey.com/our-revolutionary-sites
- Freedom 250 (U.S. Department of State): state.gov/freedom-250
- Visit Philadelphia: visitphilly.com/2026-philadelphia
- America250: america250.org
Childrens Programs
Dino Storytime (Ages 0-7) | Tuesdays 6/23 - 8/11 | 10:30am | CC - 2nd Floor: Join Miss Susan for stories, songs and fun with a Jurassic twist!
Jurassic Jam (Ages 0-7) 7/9: 11am – 12pm | CC - 2nd Floor: Stomp, roar, and dance at our dinosaur dance party featuring music, dancing, and prehistoric fun for the whole family!
Edelman Fossil Park - Paleo Pop-Up (Ages 3-10) | 7/11: 11am | CC - 2nd Floor: Learn with scientists about dinosaurs and some of EFM’s famous fossils found right on the property. There will be an opportunity to touch real fossils and specimens and an Activity Station. Seating limited; FCFS.
Bubblicious Babies (Ages 0-4) | 7/17: 11am – 12pm | Library Patio Area:
Join us for bubbly fun as little ones explore, chase, and play with bubbles through hands-on sensory activities. No registration required.
Little Archeologists (Ages 2-6) | 8/4: 4pm-5pm | PR 1 - 3rd Floor: Dig into the past and explore archaeology through storytime, hands-on tools, and a mini dig site. Seating is limited; FCFS.
Explore on the Floor (Ages 0-4) | 8/5: 10am-12pm | PR 1 - 3rd Floor: Join us for Explore on the Floor, a fun free-play program with toys and hands-on activities for young children. No registration.
Jr. Bookworms (Ages 6-9 ) | 8/7: 2pm-3pm | PR 1 - 3rd Floor: Join the first meeting of our new book club as we discuss Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark and enjoy fun activities inspired by the story. The first five participants to sign up will receive a free copy of the book (one per family).
T(w)een Programs
What the Vikings Left Behind (Ages 7-12) | 6/30: 6pm-7pm | PR 1 - 3rd Floor: Travel back to the age of the Vikings! Kids will explore archaeological tools and create their own runestones while learning about Viking culture. Seating is limited; FCFS.
Lights, Camera, and Your Story (Ages 11-18) | 7/9 - 8/13: 11am-1:30 pm | Tech. Lab - 1st Floor: A hands-on digital storytelling workshop where t(w)eens will create their own short film or media project using stop-motion, live-action video, and digital storytelling techniques. Participants will plan, film, and edit an original project to showcase at the end of the program. No experience needed—just creativity and a story to tell! Registration is required, and participants may bring lunch or a snack.
Registration Link: Lights, Camera, and Your Story!
Maker Camp (Ages 10-14) | 7/8 - 7/29: 11am-1pm | PR 2 - 3rd Floor: PFPL’s Summer Maker Camp is a free camp for young Makers interested in DIY projects, creativity, hands-on learning, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. Each week features a different project designed to appeal to a variety of interests. Registration is not required; however, space is limited to 20 participants per session. Participants are welcome to bring a lunch or snack.
Edelman Fossil Park - Beyond the Park (Ages 11+ | 7/11: 12pm | CC - 2nd Floor: Learn about dinosaurs and famous fossils with EFM scientists, explore real fossils, and enjoy hands-on activities. Seating is limited; FCFS.
Popcorn & Pages Book Club (Ages 9-13) | 7/24: 2pm-3pm | PR 1 - 3rd Floor: Popcorn & Pages is back this summer! Celebrate America’s 250th with Robert Lawson’s “Ben and Me.” Follow Amos, a little mouse who has an extraordinary friendship with Ben Franklin, as he witnesses the founding of America. The first five participants to sign up will get their own copy of the book (one per family). Registration required.
Family Programs (All Ages)
Pokémon Swap | 6/20 & 8/1: 11am | PR 1 - 3rd Floor: Do you collect Pokémon cards, figures, or other memorabilia? Come show off your collection and swap with fellow collectors.
Summer Reading Kickoff | 6/20: 1pm | PR 1 & 2 - 3rd Floor: Come celebrate with us and grab your summer reading activities calendar!
Touch-a-Truck | 6/22: 10am-11am| Library Patio Area: Bring the whole family to Touch-a-Truck and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, EMT units, and more in this fun hands-on event!
Final Fridays Summer Movie Night | 6/26 & 7/31: 8pm | Library Patio Area: Join us for fun, family friendly movies and popcorn under the stars! Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. No Registration.
Red, White & Glue : America 250 Crafts | 6/29: 6pm-7pm, 7/22-3pm-4pm & 8/1 3pm-4pm | PR 1 - 3rd Floor: Get creative with patriotic crafts for all ages using fun supplies and lots of imagination. No registration required.
Zoophoria NJ | 7/6: 12pm-1pm | CC - 2nd Floor: Meet reptiles, amphibians, and other amazing creatures while learning fun facts about their habitats and behaviors. Seating is limited; FCFS.
Christmas in July | 7/25: 12pm - 2pm | PR 1 and 2 - 3rd Floor: Celebrate the season early with a festive event full of holiday cheer, and merry surprises!
End of Summer Reading Party | 8/15: 12pm - 1pm | CC - 2nd Floor: Join us as we wrap-up our dino-tastic summer with fun activities and giveaways! No registration required.
Adult Programs
Rise & Revive Bootcamp | 6/20 & 7/25: 9am -10am | Cultural Center - 2nd Floor: Join this fitness program to improve strength, endurance, and overall wellness through fun workouts for all fitness levels.
The Polish American Congress Monument | 7/18: 2pm- 3pm | CC- 2nd Floor: Discover the history behind The Polish American Congress Monument honoring the Polish heroes of the Revolutionary War. Learn about the important role Polish patriots played in America’s fight for independence and the legacy they left behind.
Watercolor: Opposites Attract | 7/11: 11am - 1pm | PR 2 - 3rd Floor: Join local artist, author, and educator Dressler Smith for a creative watercolor workshop. Create a stained-glass effect with leaves using watercolor on paper while learning how opposite colors on the color wheel create vibrant contrast in artwork.
Art Journaling | 7/25: 11am - 1pm | PR 2 - 3rd Floor: Join local artist, author, and educator Dressler Smith for a creative writing workshop. Explore your personal story through writing prompts and inspiring quotes to begin meaningful journal entries. Participants may draw inspiration from nature or personal memories to develop their writing.
AARP | 7/25: 9am to 3pm | Tech. Lab 1st Floor: Join the FREE AARP Smart Driver course to refresh your driving skills, learn updated road safety techniques, and gain confidence behind the wheel. Participants may also qualify for a discount on their car insurance upon completion