NEVADA CITY, Calif. – Get ready to dive into a summer of creativity and fun with Nevada County Library’s 2025 Summer Learning Program: Color Our World! Designed to keep young minds active while school is out, the program encourages kids and teens to log their reading, explore the arts, and participate in engaging activities all summer long.

This year’s theme, Color Our World, celebrates art and creativity, inviting participants to explore self-expression through music, storytelling, puppetry and more.

From June 14 through Aug. 8, young readers can visit their local library to pick up a reading log or go digital with the Beanstack app, where they can track reading minutes, log book titles, and join leaderboard challenges with friends. Register or sign in at https://mynevadacounty.beanstack.com.

Kickoff Celebration

Join the fun on Saturday, June 14, at the Madelyn Helling Library (980 Helling Way, Nevada City) from 1 to 3 p.m. The kickoff celebration includes:

• Live music
• Face painting
• Snow cones
• A special performance of Little Red Riding Hood by Puppet Art Theater at 2 p.m.

All youth ages 0-18 can sign up for the reading and activity challenge and receive a free book to get started.

Event Details

What: Summer Learning Program Kick-off Celebration
When: Saturday, June 14
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Madelyn Helling Library 
Audience: 0-18
Admission: Free 

Program Highlights:

The fun doesn’t stop after kickoff! Thanks to generous support from the Friends of the Nevada County Libraries and the Friends of the Truckee Library, a wide variety of free, family-friendly programs will be offered throughout the summer, including:

• Wild Things Animal Rescue
• Musical Mondays with InConcert Sierra
• Magical puppet shows with Emily Butterfly and Puppet Art Theater
• And more!

For a complete calendar of events and a list of our summer learning partners, visit https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3574/Summer-Learning

Lunch at the Library:

Nevada County Library is proud to partner with the Grass Valley School District and the USDA Summer Food Service Program to offer free, healthy meals for children and teens ages 0–18. Meals are available Monday through Friday on a first-come, first-served basis—no sign-up, ID, or library card required. Crafts and activities will also be available during lunch.

Lunch Sites and Dates:

• Grass Valley Library: June 16 to Aug. 8
• Madelyn Helling Library: June 16 to Aug. 8
• Penn Valley Library: June 16 to Aug. 8 (healthy snacks only)
  Time: 12 to 1 p.m. daily

Meals will not be served on Wednesday, June 19, or Friday, July 4, in observance of federal holidays.

In 2023, Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap reported that 15.2% of Nevada County children under 18 were food insecure. This program aims to support local families and help ensure all children have access to nutritious meals this summer.

Why Summer Reading Matters

Children who don’t read during the summer can lose up to two months of learning by the time they return to school in the fall. Kids and teens who participate in summer learning programs and read at least six books over the summer tend to score higher in reading and math upon their return. That’s why libraries nationwide promote summer reading with engaging activities, challenges, and community events.

For more details on completion prizes and the full program, check out https://nevadacountyca.gov/3574/Summer-Learning or call (530) 265-7050. Don’t forget to follow the Nevada County Library on Instagram and Facebook. Hope to see you at the library this summer! 

More Information 

The Nevada County Library system provides a range of resources and services to inspire learning, discovery, and connection for community members of all ages. Nevada County Library remains committed to enriching the community through dynamic cultural programming and invites everyone to join in these exciting events! 

For more information about this event and other library programs, visit https://nevadacountyca.libcal.com or call 530-273-4117. Don’t forget to follow Nevada County Library on Instagram and Facebook for the latest program updates!