
Summer Reading 2023 Rules
- Readers have 8 weeks (June 5 – July 29) to read 5 minutes a day / 5 days each week to their child. There are three reading destinations this year, one every two weeks (50 minutes per challenge).
- You may use board books (BB), picture books (E), Easy Readers (JE), or even the same book over and over again.
- Digital books and audios are also allowed. Libby is available for free through your app store. Search for the Library Consortium of Eastern Idaho. Log on with your barcode and pin number.
- Books shared at Book Babies also count!
- Each Bouncing Babies Reading Goal has additional activities or challenges you can choose to do in place of TWO 5-minute reading sessions; each one may be used only once per challenge. For example, you may count “Attend MLD Book Babies/Toddler Time” only once per challenge. In Beanstack, make sure you log 5 minutes of reading under the “LOGGING” badge area for each additional activity completed!
- Then… come to the Madison Library District lobby when you have completed a Bouncing Babies Reading Goal to receive a prize. You can collect a new prize every two weeks!
Finished early? Ask about our year-round 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
Additional Activities:
Week 1: Friends Forever
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Count baby’s fingers, toes, buttons, & snaps.
- Learn a new knee bounce or rock.
- Play in a tub/bowl filled with water, blue food coloring & ducks.
- Show baby how to talk into a phone.
Week 2: Community Connections
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Make ‘n play with a sensory bag.
- Read a texture book.
- Learn how to hold a book.
- Give baby a gentle massage while singing a lullaby.
Week 3: Science that Serves
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Sing “Rainbows in my Bubbles” while blowing bubbles.
- Give baby a ride with a towel or blanket.
- Set up an inclined plane, and show baby how to roll balls down the incline.
- Gather stuffed animals, other soft toys, or play food, and help baby sort them by color, shape, number of legs, etc.
Week 4: Expand Your World
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Learn and sing a nursery rhyme song from another country.
- Place an object in front of baby and crawl to get it.
- Make a telephone wire with two cups & a string. Show baby how to talk or make sounds to another person.
- Make a “sticky” wall with contact paper and give baby objects to stick to it.
Week 5: Working and Playing Together
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Where is?- where is your nose, eyes, ears, mouth.
- Play Peek-a-Boo using scarves.
- Organize a playdate with other babies or toddlers.
- Search for objects in a sandbox or sensory bin.
Week 6: Kindness for Everyone
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Learn and do a new knee bounce rhyme.
- Play, “Who do you see?” with a mirror.
- Learn a new word in sign language.
- Use a stuffed animal or puppet to show baby how to be kind to animals.

Summer Reading 2023 Rules
- Readers have 8 weeks (June 5 – July 29) to read 10 minutes a day / 5 days each week to their child. There are three reading destinations this year, one every two weeks (100 minutes per challenge).
- You may use board books (BB), picture books (E), Easy Readers (JE), or even the same book over and over again.
- Digital books and audios are also allowed. Libby is available for free through your app store. Search for the Library Consortium of Eastern Idaho. Log on with your barcode and pin number.
- Books shared at Story Time also count!
- Each Kind Kids Reading Goal has additional activities or challenges you can choose to do in place of TWO 5-minute reading sessions; each one may be used only once per challenge. For example, you may count “Attend a MLD Storytime” only once per challenge. In Beanstack, make sure you log 10 minutes of reading under the “LOGGING” badge area for each additional activity completed!
- Then… come to the Madison Library District lobby when you have completed a Kind Kids Reading Goal to receive a prize. You can collect a new prize every two weeks!
Finished early? Ask about our year-round 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
Additional Activities:
Week 1: Friends Forever
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Make a chalk or water painting on the sidewalk with a friend.
- Make a friendship necklace with cereal and string and give to a friend.
- Decorate a postcard or letter and mail it to a friend.
Week 2: Community Connections
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Paint a rock and hide it somewhere in the community.
- Count your steps as you go up & down stairs.
- Take a thank-you note to a community helper such as a firefighter, police officer, teacher.
Week 3: Science that Serves
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Use cardboard boxes to build different sized structures.
- Make a transportation vehicle out of furniture cushions, blankets, etc and take a friend for a “ride.”
- Look at flowers and plants through a magnifying lens.
Week 4: Expand Your World
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Make a mini maraca with beans and a cardboard tube.
- Look at a globe/world map & find three countries that start with the same letter.
- Make a paper cup telephone and talk with a friend.
Week 5: Working and Playing Together
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Invite friends for wading pool party.
- Find and trace shapes in a book with your finger.
- Put together a puzzle with a friend.
Week 6: Kindness for Everyone
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Learn your phone number.
- Make a kindness counts paper chain.
- Bend, stretch, hop, skip, jump, and march.

Summer Reading 2023 Rules
- Readers have 8 weeks (June 5 – July 29) to read or be read to 15 minutes a day / 5 days each week. There are three reading destinations this year, one every two weeks (150 minutes per challenge).
- You may use picture books (E), Easy Readers (JE), Junior Fiction (JF), Junior Graphic Novels (JG), or magazines.
- Digital books and audios are also allowed. Libby is available for free through your app store. Search for the Library Consortium of Eastern Idaho. Log on with your barcode and pin number.
- Each Your Pal Readers Reading Goal has additional activities or challenges you can choose to do in place of TWO 15-minute reading sessions; each one may be used only once per challenge. For example, you may count “Complete/attend a Summer STEM from your Library activity” only once per challenge. In Beanstack, make sure you log 15 minutes of reading under the “LOGGING” badge area for each additional activity completed!
- Then… come to the Madison Library District lobby when you have completed a Your Pal Readers Reading Goal to receive a prize. You can collect a new prize every two weeks!
Additional Activities:
Week 1: Friends Forever
- Complete/attend a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Make a friendship bracelet and give to a friend.
- Meet some friends at the park or pool.
- Host a board game afternoon with friends old and new.
Week 2: Community Connections
- Complete/attend a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Read a book to someone in a nursing home or retirement community.
- Visit the Farmers’ Market.
- Build a LEGO replica of someplace in your community.
Week 3: Science that Serves
- Complete/attend a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Do a science project with National Geographic Kids.
- Make an aluminum boat and see how many pennies it will hold.
- Build a sculpture or tapestry using symmetrical elements found in the environment.
Week 4: Expand Your World
- Complete/attend a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Discover three countries at National Geographic Kids.
- Learn three words in a different language and use them for a week.
- Find a recipe from another country, make it & share it.
Week 5: Working and Playing Together
- Complete/attend a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Create a treasure hunt for friends or family.
- Build an obstacle course in your backyard with friends & pretend to be American Ninja Warriors.
- Have a puzzle race with friends (100 pc puzzles work well).
Week 6: Kindness for Everyone
- Complete/attend a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Bake cookies for an older neighbor.
- Make an “affirmations jar.”
- Volunteer to do a chore or job for someone else.

Book Babies
EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 9:30 AM
For babies (ages 0- 9 months) who are not yet “walkers” and their “grown-up.”
Enjoy songs, stories, and movement activities together with other families. Additional activities and links will be available after the program on the Madison Library District Book Babies blog.
Have more than one child? Wondering which early literacy library program to attend? Go to the age specific program for your oldest child.
THEME FOR JULY: Friends Forever!

Toddler Time
EVERY Monday and TUESDAY AT 9:30 AM
We will be closed Tuesday, July 4, for Independence Day
For toddlers who are “walkers” (ages 10 to 23 months) and their “grown-up.”
Enjoy songs, stories, and movement activities together with other families. Additional activities and links will be available after the program on the Madison Library District Toddler Time blog.
Have more than one child? Wondering which early literacy library program to attend? Go to the age specific event for your oldest child.
THEME FOR JULY: Friends Forever!

Story Time
EVERY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AT 10:30 AM
AND Tuesday AT 6:30 PM
No story times on Tuesday, July 4
For children ages 2 to 5 and their “grown up!”
Children ages 2 to 5 with their adult will enjoy stories and related fun which may include songs, games, and rhymes in our Community Room.
Story Time Kiddie Kits of crafting supplies will be available the day of the story time while supplies last. Any extras will be available to pick up on the Friday after the story time. Additional links and activities will be available after the program on the Madison Library District Storytime blog.
Have more than one child? Wondering which early literacy library program to attend? Go to the age specific event for your oldest child.
Themes for July:
All Together Now!
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Week of July 5 – Science That Serves – We will be closed Tuesday, July 4 for Independence Day.
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Week of July 11 – Expand Your World
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Week of July 18 – Working and Playing Together
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Week of July 25 – Kindness for Everyone
Summer STEM Crafting for Kids and Tweens
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm
For Kids ages 6 – 8 & Tweens ages 9 – 11 and their accompanying adult. Come to the library and participate in an activity that’s about science, technology, engineering, or math!
Any additional Summer STEM from your Library Make or Take STEAM kits will be available at the Front Circulation Desk following the activity.
STEM Crafting for June:
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June 13: Friends Who Love Physics Kick-Off Party! We will have multiple activities for you and your friends about magnets, sound, motion, light, and more!
Sponsored by Madison Health!
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June 20: Star Wars Friends – Learn the concepts of measuring, geometry, and spatial awaeness while making great Star Wars crafts.
STEM Crafting for July:
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July 11: Potential Energy – For this activity, we will be drawing a life-size whale with sidewalk chalk.
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July 25: Building Together – Explore the concepts of potential and kinetic energy by building fun things.
Summer STEM from your Library is provided with the support of:
The Idaho Commission for Libraries
Idaho STEM Action Center
The Institute of Museum and Library Services

Summer STEM Lego Club
Tuesday, July 18, at 2:00 pm
For Kids ages 6 – 8, Tweens ages 9 – 11, and Teens ages 12 – 18. Anyone under the age of 12 needs to be accompanyied by an adult.
Do you love Legos? Join other kids who love the ever popular bricks at Madison Library District’s amazing LEGO club!

Star Party!
Friday, July 8, at 9:00 pm in the Community Room Parking Lot
EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL
Come out and gaze at the stars! We’ll have our big telescope set up, and Cathy Stanton, former Star Ranger, will be there to take you on a guided tour through the universe.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Don’t miss it!
Children’s
Summer Reading
AGES 0 to 8
See You in 2024!
Each year, from June through July, we host Summer Reading. The 2023 Summer Reading Theme was “All Together Now.”
All participants completed reading challenges at their own pace. We had weekly book club, story times, & craft programs.
Our 2024 Summer Reading theme will be “Adventure Begins at Your Library” and should prove to be just as fun! Watch this page for more details.
Thank You to Our Summer Reading Sponsors
These amazing businesses and organizations donated over $70,000 to make our 2023 Summer Reading possible. We appreciate their support of literacy in our community!
New Temporary Hours of Operation
Due to staffing shortages and until further notice our temporary hours will be:
- Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday - Wednesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Sunday: CLOSED
Closures in 2023
- January 2 – New Year’s
- January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
- February 20 – President’s Day
- March 24 – Staff Development Day
- April 1 – Closed for Maintenance
- May 27-29 – Memorial Day
- June 19 – Juneteenth
- July 4 – Independence Day
- September 2-4 – Labor Day
- September 28 – Library Conference (LCEI)
- September 29-30 – Closed for Maintenance
- November 10-11 – Veteran’s Day
- November 22 – Closing at 5:00 pm
- November 23-25 – Thanksgiving
- December 23-26 – Christmas
- December 30-31, 2023 – New Year’s
- January 1, 2024 – New Year’s Day
Address
73 North Center
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
We are located on Center Street, just north of Main Street, by the Historic Rexburg Tabernacle.
Contact Us
(208) 356-3461
24 Hour Phone Renewal: (208) 356-6658
askmadisonlibrary@madisonlib.org