Libraries in Lakeland and Polk County provide FREE summer activities to keep kids and families engaged all summer long. Summer library programs include a variety of hands-on activities, storytimes, movies, performances, guest speakers, musicians, and more. You can have fun and learn something new, all at the same time at summer library progams near you. All library programs are FREE!
Below you’ll find a list of in-person library activities and story times for Summer 2023. Check directly with your local library for other things to do this summer including Summer Reading Programs, reading rewards, take-home craft kits, and more.
Many library activities have limited space and cannot accommodate daycares, summer camps, or groups. Details are provided below, check directly with the library for any registration requirements. You can also find library programs on our calendar, along with year-round kids and teen activities.
Don’t miss our full list of Summer Reading Programs to learn how kids can earn prizes for tracking their summer reading. We’ve also got a list of 15 places to find free books for kids and adults, and a year round list of Library Storytimes near you.
Summer Library Programs in Polk County:
Lakeland Public Library – Main Branch
- Summer Kick Off – Giving Tree Drum Circle June 9 at 10am
- Storytime (ages 5 & under) – Wednesdays at 10am
- Youth Sewing Camp – Spools Out for the Summer (ages 9-13 and 13-17) – multiple sessions for summer 2023. Advance Registration is required.
- Summer STEAM (ages 7-12) – Fridays at 3pm
- Take Home Craft Kits – Pick up a take-home craft kit each week at any Lakeland Library. New kits will be available each week and will be given out while supplies last.
The Lakeland Library is undergoing renovations and the Children’s Room is the only space currently open, you can still reserve and check out books using the catalog or by visiting the check out desk. Visit Lakeland’s other libraries for more hands-on summer programming.
Lakeland Public Library
100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801
Website / Facebook / (863) 834-4280
Larry R. Jackson Branch Library – Lakeland
- Summer Reading Kick-Off Party – Saturday, June 3 from 10am-12pm
- Storytime (ages 2-5) – Thursdays at 10am
- LEGO Club (ages 5-17) – Select Tuesdays at 5pm
- Friday Library Programs – each Friday at 10am the Jackson Branch Library welcomes a different community or government organization including the Fire Department, Police Department, Animal Control, Lakeland Electric, 4-H, and the Lakeland Symphony
- Youth Sewing Camp – Spools Out for the Summer (ages 9-13) – multiple sessions for summer 2023. Advance Registration is required.
- Take Home Craft Kits – Pick up a take-home craft kit each week at any Lakeland Library. New kits will be available each week and will be given out while supplies last.
Jackson Branch Library
1700 N Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33805
Website / Facebook / (863) 834-4288
Florida Air Museum
While this isn’t a library, the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland hosts an interactive storytime each week during the year and two days a week during the summer – Mondays OR Tuesdays from 10-11am! Each week they dive into interactive learning experiences and bring stories to life for our junior ACEs. Everyone is welcome, though the content is targeted towards our younger aviators, ages 2-5.
Florida Air Museum
4175 Medulla Rd, Lakeland, FL 33811
Website / Facebook
Auburndale Public Library
2023 Programs Coming Soon – check the website for updates
Auburndale Public Library
100 West Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823
Website / (863) 965-5548
Bartow Public Library
- Summer at the Library Kick Off Party – Friday, June 2nd at 12pm
- Bartow Library Summer Shows – held at the Bartow Civic Center Auditorium, across the street from the library:
- Reactory Factory – Wednesday, June 7th at 10:00 AM
- Will Forever – Wednesday, June 21st at 10:00 AM
- Out of My Hands Juggling – Wednesday, July 12th at 10:00 AM
- Orlando Youth Circus – Wednesday, July 19th at 10:00 AM
- Summer Storytime beginning June 1, 2023:
- Ages 18 months – 2 years on Thursdays from 10 – 10:30 AM. Book Babies includes Nursery Rhymes, music, fingerplays and bubbles.
- Ages 3-5 on Thursdays at 11am. Stories, music, fingerplays, and short film adaptions of children’s books.
- Friday Movie Matinees – select Fridays at 1pm
- Plus other single day programs throughout the summer. Check the Bartow Library website for information.
Bartow Public Library
2150 S. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830
Website / Facebook / 863-534-0131
Davenport – Polk County Library Cooperative
2023 Programs Coming Soon – check the website for updates
Peter Rust Civic Center
5 S Allapaha Ave, Davenport, FL 33837
Website
Dundee Public Library
2023 Programs Coming Soon – check the website for updates
Dundee Public Library
202 E. Main Street, Dundee, FL 33838
Website / 863-439-9424
Fort Meade Public Library
Join the Fort Meade Library for summer programs. Highlights include:
- Movie Mondays – Movies every week at 10:30am and 1:30pm
- Tuesdays + Wednesdays – Programs vary each week including storytime, Books Bridge Bus, sing alongs, sidewalk chalk, and more
- Thursdays – Pick up a Take + Make Craft Kit
Visit the Fort Meade Library Website or Facebook Page for a full calendar of events.
Fort Meade Public Library
75 East Broadway St., Fort Meade, FL 33841
Website / Facebook / 863 285-8287
Latt Maxcy Memorial Library – Frostproof
- Summer Reading Kickoff Party with Gil’s Exotics – June 7 at 10 am
- Tail Waggin’ Tuesdays – Tuesdays at 11am – read to Annie, the therapy dog
- Read & Learn – Wednesdays at 10 am – stories, songs, crafts, games, and sensory experiences
- Books Bridge Bus – Wednesdays at 2:15pm
Join the Latt Maxcy Library for fun summer programs from June 6 – August 2. Check the library’s Facebook page for other special events this summer.
Latt Maxcy Memorial Library
15 N. Magnolia Avenue, Frostproof, FL 33843
Facebook / (863) 635-7857
Haines City Public Library
- Preschool Storytime – Ages 2 – 5 | Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and 11:30AM | Stories, songs, puppets and a craft. Limited space available. First Come/First Serve.
- Elementary Summer Programs – Tuesdays from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- 6/6 | 10:30am | Out of My Hands | Illusions, juggling, and black lights
- 6/13 | 11:00am | Moogician | Cow/Milk based magic and music show
- 6/20 | 10:30am | Gatorland | Reptile Show
- 7/18 | 10:30am | Mad Science | Science experiments
Other programs include Teen Movies and Teens Video Games, and more. Check the calendar for a full list of events.
**The Lake Eva Water Park in Haines City opens at noon – make a day of it and attend a library program then head to the pool.**
Haines City Public Library
111 North 6th Street, Haines City, FL 33844
Website / Facebook / 863-421-3633
Lake Alfred Public Library
Check with the Lake Alfred Library for summer programs.
Lake Alfred Public Library
245 N. Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
863-291-5378
Lake Wales Public Library
- The Lake Wales Library will host Summer Programs on Thursdays at 10:30am at Candlelight Christian Academy.
- June 15 – Gatorland
- June 22 – Mad Science of Central Florida
- June 29 – Florida Foam Factory
- July 6 – Giving Tree Music Drum Circle
- July 13 – James Songster Magic
- July 20 – Touch a Truck
- Wiggles + Giggles Storytime – Tuesdays at 11am
- Teen Summer Programs – Thursdays at 1pm
Visit the Library’s Facebook Page for a full list of summer events including teen programming.
Lake Wales Public Library
290 Cypress Garden Lane, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Website / Facebook / (863) 678-4004
Mulberry Public Library
- All Together Now Summer Programs – Join the Mulberry Library on Fridays at 10am for interactive, fun filled programs designed for elementary-age kids. Programs are held in the Mulberry Civic Center, located in the same building as the library. A description of each week’s activity can be found on the Mulberry Library calendar.
- JUNE 2 Kindness to Animals
- JUNE 9 Shadow Puppet Show with Kate Adams
- JUNE 16 Didgeridoo Show
- JUNE 23 Magician Bruce Young
- JUNE 30 Fairytales Gone Bananas
- JULY 7 Orisisi African American Music
- JULY 14 Puppets Around the World
- JULY 21 Mr. Richard’s Music
- JULY 27 (Thursday) Foam Factory End of Summer Party
- Summer Events for Tweens and Teens – Tues and Weds @1:30 PM:
- JUNE 6 Travel Trivia
- JUNE 7 Author Event
- JUNE 14 Viral Video Extravaganza
- JUNE 27 Game On! Indoor Travel Obstacle Course (MS)
- JUNE 28 Game On! Indoor Travel Obstacle Course (HS)
- JULY 11 Abstract Paint Day
- JULY 25 Game On! Life Size Clue Game (MS)
- JULY 26 Game On! Life Size Clue Game (HS)
- Preschool Story Time – Every Wednesday at 9:30AM and 10:30 AM. Fun Stories, Songs, and More! Ages 5 and under. FREE Program, no registration required. Held in the Mulberry Civic Center upstairs from the library.
All events are first come, first served – no registration required but seating may be limited. The Mulberry Library also hosts activities for teens and tweens, Pokemon Club, and more, check the calendar for upcoming events and a July calendar.
Mulberry Public Library
905 NE 5th, Mulberry, FL 33860
Website / Facebook / 863-425-3246
Polk City Community Library
2023 Programs listed below – check the website or the library’s Eventbrite page for details. Registration for each performance/special activity is required and opens the Friday before the event at polkcitycommunitylibrary.eventbrite.com.
Summer Movies are free and do not require registration.
Polk City Community Library
215 S. Bougainvillea Avenue, Polk City, FL 33868
Website / 863 984-4340
Library Programs by Date
TIP – Use the filter button to see events at a specific library. Use the arrow to see next month.
Please keep in mind that we may not have all library events listed on our calendar, check directly with your library for a full list of upcoming events.
Summer Fun Guide
Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun for Summer Camps, Things to Do Around Lakeland, Things to Do at Home, Open Playgrounds, Places to Play Outdoors, FREE Bowling, Swim Lessons, 4th of July Events, Reading programs, Online Camps, and much more!