Dover Free Public Library Launches "Unearth a Story"

DOVER, NJ — The Dover Free Public Library is excited to invite community members of all ages to participate in its 2026 Summer Library Activities program, "Unearth a Story." Running from Monday, June 22 through Friday, August 7, the program features a free Summer Reading Challenge, engaging weekly programs for children, teens, and adults, and special events the whole family can enjoy. A library card is not required to participate.

Summer Reading Challenge

The "Unearth a Story" Reading Challenge is open to everyone, from newborns to senior adults. Registration is free and open to Dover residents and non-residents alike.

Children (Birth through 6th Grade)

Children track reading in minutes — every 20 minutes earns a sticker on their Reading Record chart. For every 100 minutes read (5 stickers), children bring their chart to the library for a prize. This year's reward is collecting beads for a necklace; preschoolers receive stickers for safety. The goal is 1,000 minutes, which earns a raffle ticket for a prize drawing. Children who attend age-appropriate summer programs can also earn participation beads toward additional raffle entries.

Teens (Grades 7–12) and Adults (18+)

Teens and adults track the number of items read — books, audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels, magazines, or anything else. Each item read earns a raffle ticket, and each adult or teen summer program attended earns a bonus raffle ticket. All tickets are entered into a prize drawing held after August 7.

Summer Program Highlights

The library has organized a diverse lineup of weekly and special programs throughout the summer:

• Ice Cream Social (Monday, June 22, 2–4 PM): The summer's kickoff event, open to all ages.

• Monday Funday (Mondays, 10 AM–6 PM): Puzzles, scavenger hunts, and challenges for preschoolers through 6th grade, running every Monday June 29 through August 3.

• Crochet Club (Mondays, 11 AM): A weekly drop-in for adults who crochet or do other needlework.

• Dino Storytimes (Wednesdays, 10:30–11:15 AM): Stories, songs, crafts, and play with Miss Gladys for children birth through age 5, July 1 through August 5.

• Unearth a Story Explorers (Tuesdays, 2–3 PM): A weekly program for K–6 students featuring books, crafts, and STEM activities, June 30 through August 4.

• FIFA Sticker Exchange (Thursdays, 5–7 PM): Trade World Cup stickers with fellow soccer fans — open to teens and adults, June 25 through July 23.

• Dino Movie Marathon (Fridays, 4–5:30 PM): A family movie series featuring dinosaur-themed films with light snacks, July 10 through July 31.

• Stop-Motion Animation Workshop (Thursday, July 16, 4–5:30 PM): Grades 4–6 learn the basics of animation and create their own stop-motion videos. Registration required.

• History of Dover (Thursday, July 9, 6 PM): A screening of "300 Years of Dover, New Jersey," a video created by Dover High School students in partnership with the Dover Area Historical Society, with light refreshments.

• Zoophoria Animal Program (Thursday, July 23, 6:30 PM): Families get up close with snakes, tortoises, toads, and more.

• Adult Book Club (Wednesday, July 8, 1:30 PM): Discussing "The Hornet's Nest" by Jimmy Carter. Contact beverly.rowan@dfpl.org for details.

• Family Recipe Exchange (Thursday, July 30, 6 PM): Share a favorite family recipe and its story; participants will create a collaborative recipe book.

• Junk Journal Workshop (Thursday, August 6, 6 PM): Learn to make a handmade journal, open to teens and adults.

• T-Rex Tea Party — Closing Program (Friday, August 7, 2–3:30 PM): Celebrate the summer with games, crafts, and light snacks for the whole family.

"This summer's program has something for everyone in the Dover community. Whether you're a toddler being read to, a middle schooler exploring STEM, or an adult looking for a great book discussion, we hope you'll come through our doors and make the library your home base this summer."

— Timothy Domick, Director, Dover Free Public Library

How to Register

Registration for the Summer Reading Challenge is free and open to all ages. Participants do not need a Dover Free Public Library card to join, though this is a great opportunity to sign up for one at no cost. For more information about programs and to register, visit dfpl.org or stop by the library at 32 East Clinton Street, Dover, NJ.

About the Dover Free Public Library

The Dover Free Public Library, located at 32 East Clinton Street in Dover, New Jersey, serves the entire community with free access to books, digital resources, programs, and services for all ages. For library hours, events, and more, visit dfpl.org.