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Image for event: Summer Reading Kickoff Party

Summer Reading Kickoff Party
2026-05-30 10:00:00 2026-05-30 13:00:00 America/Denver Summer Reading Kickoff Party Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room

Saturday, May 30
10:00am - 1:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-05-30 10:00:00 2026-05-30 13:00:00 America/Denver Summer Reading Kickoff Party Kick Off Summer Reading with Dinosaurs, Fossils & Fun! Pick up your reading log, explore prizes, and kick off summer at our prehistoric party! Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room

Kick Off Summer Reading with Dinosaurs, Fossils & Fun! Pick up your reading log, explore prizes, and kick off summer at our prehistoric party!

Try hands-on fossil and excavation activities

Excavate and take home a frozen dinosaur

Build your own prehistoric diorama

Make layered “Dino Dirt Cups” inspired by rock strata

Feed the T. rex for a prize

Snap a photo at our Jurassic-themed photo booth

Dinosaur and fossil talks by Black Hills Institute of Geological Research begin at 10:30 a.m. and repeat every 30 minutes through 12:30 p.m.

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Children | All | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Summer Reading | Entertainment | Community Wide | Arts & Culture |

TAGS: | summer reading | kickoff |

Rapid City Public Library Downtown
Phone: 605-394-6139
Hours
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Rapid City Public Library Downtown

Mon, May 11 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, May 12 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, May 13 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Thu, May 14 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, May 15 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, May 16 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, May 17 10:00AM to 6:00PM
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About the library

Upcoming events

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Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Water Lab
Wed, May 13, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Create your own water filter and test water samples from local sources to see what?s safe to drink - all while learning about the importance of clean water.
Registration is now closed
Family Game Night
Wed, May 13, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Bring the whole family for a night of board games, beginner D&D, and friendly competition! Drop in, play together, and discover new favorites! All ages welcome.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, May 14, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Little Explorers - Bright Ideas
Thu, May 14, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Brighten your day with experiments on light while learning about electricity!
Level Up! Teen Gaming Night - Super Smash Bros
Fri, May 15, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get ready for an action-packed teen gaming night with Super Smash Bros.! Challenge your friends, show off your skills, and see who comes out on top!
Hobby Swap
Sat, May 16, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Clear out unused hobby supplies or find a new craft at our Hobby Swap! Bring items in a bag or box to keep them together and ready for a new home.
Nature Journal Workshop
Sun, May 17, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Interested in creating something meaningful this spring? Turn your observations, sketches, and found pieces from nature into a personal journal that captures the beauty of the Black Hills.
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, May 18, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
Bring your needles, hooks, and yarn for an evening of fiber arts! Don't have equipment? The library has some that you can use for the class! Join us for camaraderie and snacks!
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, May 19, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, May 19, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Build a Boat STEM Challenge
Tue, May 19, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Design a toy-sized boat and learn about buoyancy and density!
Coffee and Conversations - Breaking Barriers: The Story of Nellie Zabel Willhite
Wed, May 20, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Jeanie Kirkpatrick, curator of the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, presents the story of Nellie Zabel Willhite - South Dakota's first female pilot and first deaf woman to earn a pilot's license.
Library Dice Legion - Tabletop RPG Club
Wed, May 20, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Welcome to The Library, a place for adventuring parties to convene and take part in glorious battles. Everyone's invited to play, whether it's your first time playing or you're a seasoned adventurer.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, May 21, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Little Explorers - Imagine & Invent
Thu, May 21, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Dream of wild inventions and make your own to take home!
Financial Foundations for Young Adults - Black Hills Financial Planning
Thu, May 21, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get your finances on track early with real-world tips on budgeting, credit, student loans, investing, and making compound interest work for you.
Teen Book Bakes - Mozzarella Sticks and Korean Corn Dogs
Fri, May 22, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Make crispy mozzarella sticks and crave-worthy Korean corn dogs while you learn fun techniques, get a little messy, and enjoy your homemade treats!
Books with Bernard
Sat, May 23, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Boost your reading skills and have a tail-wagging good time! Join Bernard, a certified therapy dog, for a fun and furry reading adventure.
Library Closure
Sun, May 24, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day
Library Closure
Mon, May 25, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, May 26, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, May 26, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Paper Pterodactyl Puppets
Tue, May 26, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Summer Reading is fast approaching, and this year it's all about dinosaurs! Make a flying pterodactyl puppet for yourself and one for our library décor!
Library Lounge - Step into Summer Reading
Wed, May 27, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about Summer Reading and how to participate to win cool prizes, plus get the inside scoop before our kickoff party!
Library Lounge - Step into Summer Reading
Wed, May 27, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about Summer Reading and how to participate to win cool prizes, plus get the inside scoop before our kickoff party!
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, May 28, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Little Explorers - Kid Inventors
Thu, May 28, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Calling all inventors! Design, create, and play with your own inventions to wrap up the month of May!
Chapter Chat Book Club - The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
Thu, May 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
A haunting novel spanning several generations, The Seed Keeper follows a Dakhóta family's struggle to preserve their way of life, and their sacrifices to protect what matters most.
Teen Crafternoon - Dino Tote Bags
Fri, May 29, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get summer reading ready with a dino-themed tote bag! Big enough to carry all your library books while still being stylish.
Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Sat, May 30, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Kick Off Summer Reading with Dinosaurs, Fossils & Fun! Pick up your reading log, explore prizes, and kick off summer at our prehistoric party!
Donuts & Documentaries - The Making of a Japanese
Sun, May 31, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Follow students and teachers at a Tokyo elementary school over a year, exploring learning, growth, and life in Japanese society.
Gentle Chair Yoga - with Sol Yoga Collective
Mon, Jun 01, 10:30am - 11:15am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Restore your mind and invigorate your body with Sol Yoga Collective at the library! In this safe and comfortable environment, you'll be guided through beginner's yoga poses and stretches.
First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department
Tue, Jun 02, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join the Rapid City Fire Department for a fun morning of stories, plus tips on staying safe!
Curiosity Club - Lego Club
Tue, Jun 02, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Free-build your own design or complete the librarian's challenge for a small prize!
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Jun 04, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Teen Crafternoon
Fri, Jun 05, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Crafternoon is the perfect place for teens and young adults to connect, indulge in delicious snacks, and unleash their creativity through crafting!
Creation Station
Sun, Jun 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore software, websites, and tools that can be used to create things in the Makerspace and beyond in Creation Station, focusing on a new skill each month!
Registration opens Sunday, May 24 2026 at 10:00am
RCPL Board Meeting
Mon, Jun 08, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
RCPL Monthly Board Meeting
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, Jun 08, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
Bring your needles, hooks, and yarn for an evening of fiber arts! Don't have equipment? The library has some that you can use for the class! Join us for camaraderie and snacks!
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Jun 09, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Jun 09, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club
Tue, Jun 09, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary
Wed, Jun 10, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Maker Mania focuses on STEM-based activities encouraging collaboration, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking skills for children ages 8-12. Check back in for this month's activity!
Registration opens Wednesday, May 27 2026 at 9:00am
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Jun 11, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!
Teen #FandomFriday
Fri, Jun 12, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
The ultimate chill spot designed just for teens! Watch anime, delve into your beloved fandoms with crafts, and enjoy tasty treats!
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