Put the BOO in books! Visit University Park Public Library for our Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, October 30! Starting at 1:30pm, enjoy crafts, treats, prizes, and spooky fun. Costumes are strongly encouraged. At 3pm, mad scientists from Mad Science DFW will bring their spooky experiments to the library in an interactive science show for all ages. While you're here, pick up some spooky reads to share as a family at home!

Halloween crafts are supported by La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas and UP @ the Library Family Time is sponsored by Christine McKenny and Allie Beth Allman & Associates.

Summer Reading Programs for all ages from UP Public Library

Online sign-ups begin May 30

UP with Reading, University Park Public Library’s popular summer program for kids, kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30. If you are a teen or adult, you can also sign up and have fun reading. Again this summer, the library will offer the Teen Summer Reading Club in partnership with Highland Park Public Library. Now in its third summer, our program for adults will provide you with enjoyment and posts about titles others are reading. Mindful of social distancing concerns, you can enroll in any of the programs online beginning on May 30 on the Library’s homepage, which can be accessed here. Please do not come to the library to sign up. Library staff will mail sign-up prizes and tokens to all UP with Reading participants.

Virtual Entertainment Programs for Kids

Be entertained and inspired each week in June and July! All programs will be presented virtually in partnership with Highland Park Library on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Information on how to enjoy these programs virtually will be included in the library’s June and July newsletters. Specific program dates and performers are listed below.

June 3 - James Wand – Secret Agent Magic Show
June 10 - Mad Science – Tell Tale Science
June 17 - Creature Teacher
June 24 - Grace Hula Show
July 8 - Critterman – Rainforest Jewels
July 15 - Legendary Black Belt Academy – Martial Arts Class
July 22 - Circus Freaks – Juggling Workshop
July 29 - Perot TECH Truck

This year’s UP With Reading theme is “Imagine Your Story.” Beginning May 30 and running through July 31, along with receiving a crown token, sign-up prizes and a yard sign, program participants will be awarded prizes at 10, 20, 30, and 40 hours of reading:

10 hours - Participation certificate and JD’s Chippery coupon
20 hours - Brag tag
30 hours - Drawstring backpack
40 hours - Book donated to charity and wizard wand
50 hours - Entry into grand prize drawing

The Highland Park ISD school whose students collectively read the most hours will be awarded the Readers Cup trophy. Hyer Elementary School is the current champion.

Book Donations for a local non-profit

Each summer UP Public Library partners with the Highland Park Public Library to donate books to a local literacy-based organization. After reading 40 hours, a child can select a book to be donated in their honor. This year the partnering organization is The Warren Center, a non-profit group in Richardson that offers much-needed resources for children with disabilities.

The Teen Summer Reading Club

The program, sponsored by Christine McKenny of Allie Beth Allman and Associates, begins on June 1 and ends on July 31 and is open to students entering seventh grade through 12th grade. Each week, participants who log reading hours will be entered into a drawing to win a gift card from a local business. At the end of the program, participants who read 50 or more hours will be entered into the teen grand prize drawing. Teens can also participate in two virtual programs. Program dates and descriptions are below. Participants can register for these programs by emailing info@uptexas.org.

June 16 - Open Mic (3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) Join us on Zoom to share your musical, artistic, or writing talents. Each participant will have up to five minutes to perform. Registration is required.

Starting July 7 - Harry Potter Digital Escape Room – Follow clues and complete challenges to escape Knockturn Alley! The escape room will remain open through the end of July.

Grown UP Summer Reading

All enrolled participants will receive a yard sign. To participate, once you’ve finished a book or completed a challenge, enter it into the database. Participants will be entered into weekly drawings for prizes. Readers may also post what books they are reading so that others can get inspiration for their next read. The program runs from June 1 to July 31.

Kids Program

“Giddy UP with Reading”, University Park Public Library’s 2019 summer program, will kick off at the library on Saturday, May 25, 2019 from 10 am to 12 pm and ends July 31. Participants may sign up at the Friends of University Park Public Library’s Splash Bash on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. For the first time, the library will offer the Tween and Teen Summer Reading Club in partnership with the Highland Park Public Library.  Grown UP Summer Reading, a program for adults, will be open for its second year.  To enroll in any of the programs, head to uptexas.org (and click on the Library heading) or visit us at the library.

Performers will visit the library every Wednesday this summer at 2pm:

June 5               Gregg the Balloon Guy – Magic Show

June 12             Black Prairie Raptor Center – Raptors of North Texas

June 19             Critterman – Extra Furry

June 26             Perot Museum – TECH Truck

July 10            James Wand – Secret Agent Magic Show

July 17              Legendary Black Belt Academy – Physical Demonstration

July 24            Professor Brainius – Wild and Wacky Science

July 31            Frontiers of Flight Museum – Living History Presentation  

Prizes will be awarded at 10, 20, 30, and 40 hour levels and include:

10 hours: A participation certificate and rainbow bracelet

20 hours: SusieCakes coupon and bouncy ball

30 hours: Color-changing cup for each child

40 hours: Chipotle coupon and book donated to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

50 hours: Entry into grand prize drawing

New Program for Tweens and Teens

The Tween and Teen Summer Reading Club for entering seventh through twelfth grades and sponsored by Christine McKenny and Allie Beth Allman, begins on June 1 and ends on July 31. This year’s theme is “Close Encounters”. Each week, participants who log reading hours will be entered into a drawing to win one of three gift cards from a local business. At the end of the program, participants who read 50 or more hours will be entered into the tweens and teens grand prize drawing for a Kindle Fire HD 8.

Tweens and teens can participate in one program each month this summer:

Tech Petting Zoo  – create and explore with a variety of tech including stop animation software and robots

June 13, 2:30 – 4:30 pm at University Park Public Library

Cupcake Wars – challenge your creativity using surprise ingredients and toppings in our own version of the popular TV show

July 11, 2:30 – 4:30 pm at Highland Park Public Library

Summer Reading for Adults

Grown UP Summer Reading provides fun for adult readers.  At sign up, participants will receive a yard sign when they enroll. To participate, once you’ve finished a book or completed a challenge, enter it into the database.  Those who do will be entered into weekly drawings for prizes.  Readers may also post what books they’re read so that others can get inspiration for their next read.  The program runs from June 1 to July 31 and is sponsored by Minnette Murray Group with Compass Real Estate.

The team at the University Park Public Library wishes you a Happy Holiday Season!

The University Park Public Library will be closed for the Holidays on Saturday, December 22nd.  The library will reopen on Wednesday, December 26th.

For the New Year Holiday, the Library will be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, and will reopen on Wednesday, January 2nd.