“Color Our World” Photo Contest

This photo contest ran from June 18 through August 1 as part of the Summer Reading Program at Dexter District Library. Teens and tweens entering grades 5 through 12 in the fall could enter up to one photo in each of three categories: Colors of Nature, Work of Art, and Pet Portrait. Library staff selected 2 winners in each category to receive a prize. See the entries below! Be sure to click/select to see the full image.

You can also see the entries in the Teen Zone at the Library until early September.

  • All

 

Fall Events for Tweens and Teens

Pick up a copy of the Fall Teen & Tween brochure and the monthly youth department calendars at the Library or download PDFs below. See each event page for more details and to register. Registration is required for most Teen and Tween events – check each event page for more information.

Sidewalk Art with David Zinn

Wednesday, September 3

4:00 – 6:00 pm

Grades 5 – 12

Registration required – Begins Wednesday, August 13

Teens and tweens – join us to learn how to make art with your surroundings in a returning favorite program. Ann Arbor artist David Zinn will do a demonstration of how to create with chalk. After the demo, try these techniques yourself on the Library sidewalk! (This event will be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.) Co-presented with SRSLY Dexter.

 Book Page Pumpkin Craft

Monday, October 13

1:30 – 2:45 pm

Grades 5 – 12

Registration required – Begins Monday, September 15

Make a cute and festive honeycomb pumpkin out of discarded book pages. This will be a fun and creative way to reuse materials.

 Stranger Things Party

Saturday, October 25

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Grades 5 – 12

Registration required – Begins Thursday, September 25

Spend an afternoon in the Upside-Down! Join us for crafts and activities revolving around the hit show Stranger Things as it prepares to air its final season.

Taste Test Challenge

Saturday, November 15

2:00 – 2:45 pm

Grades 5 – 12

Registration required – Begins Wednesday, October 15

Ever wondered if name-brand products are actually better than generic grocery store items? Let’s figure it out! We are going to blindly try and compare generic and name-brand snack foods like chips, crackers, and cookies to determine what tastes the best.

 

Teen Advisory Group (TAG)

Grades 7-12

Registration required

Teens in grades 7 through 12 meet during the summer to enjoy a pizza lunch then work on projects for the Summer Reading Program. TAG members also have the opportunity to help out at several events throughout the summer. This is a fun way to earn volunteer hours!

Teen “Bring Your Own Book” Club

Grades 7 – 9

Registration required

Teens in grades 7 through 9 are invited to join our “Bring Your Own Book” Club. Bring a book from each month’s genre or theme to talk about with the group, share your recent favorites and, get new recommendations from teens like you. We’ll also do a craft or activity to go with this month’s theme.

  • Tuesday, September 23, 4:30 – 5:30 pm – Theme: Favorite Books. Registration begins Tuesday, August 20.
  • Tuesday, October 28,  4:30 – 5:30 pm – Genre: Fantasy. Registration begins Tuesday, September 24.
  • Tuesday, November 25,  4:30 – 5:30 pm – Genre: Mystery and Thriller. Registration begins Tuesday, October 22.

Tween Book Club

Grades 5 – 7

Registration required

Tween Book Club is for students in grades 5 through 7. Read this month’s book or theme and then join us for icebreakers, snack, discussion, and a related activity. Get a copy of the month’s book at the Youth Reference Desk after you register.

  • Tuesday, September 16, 4:30 – 5:30 pm – Book: Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan. Registration begins Tuesday, August 19.
  • Tuesday, October 21,  4:30 – 5:30 pm – Theme: Read a Mystery book to discuss at book club. Check out a book from the Library or bring a book from home. Registration begins Tuesday, September 16.
  • Tuesday, November 18,  4:30 – 5:30 pm – Book: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm. Registration begins Tuesday, October 21.

Magic: The Gathering

Grades 5-12

Join us for MTG tournament-style play on select Friday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Prizes awarded to top players. Everyone in grades 5 through 12 with knowledge of game play and rules is invited to attend. Please bring a Commander deck to each session. This event is co-sponsored with 5 Healthy Towns and SRSLY Dexter.

Teen/Tween Crochet Crafternoon

Grades 5 – 12

Registration required

Join us for a chance to learn crochet or practice your skills. Beginners and more advanced teen and tween crocheters are welcome. Learn a new project or bring in what you’ve been working on!

Chess Club

Kids and Teens

Registration required

Kids and teens: if you enjoy playing chess, join us! Compete in tournament-style play or a casual game and improve your skills. All kids and teens with at least a basic knowledge of chess gameplay are welcome to attend. Chess sets will be provided by the Library to use during Chess Club.

makerspaceMakerspace

Grades K-8

Drop-in Program; No registration required

Make, build, craft and explore. Participate in a variety of open-ended activities. We supply the materials and you supply the imagination.

  • Thursday, September 25, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
  • Thursday, October 23, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
  • Saturday, November 29, 11:00 am – 12:oo pm

Lego Club

Grades K-8

Drop-in Program; No registration required

Kids in grades K through 8 are invited to spend an afternoon making their own Lego creations while visiting with old friends and making new ones.  Everyone is welcome – Legos will be provided by the Library.

OverDrive Reciprocal Lending Agreement – Updated 7/29/2025

Did you know that Dexter District Library is now part of an agreement with many other Michigan cooperatives sharing access to our Libby collections?

Partner Libraries are currently:

  • Genesee District Library (added 10/3/2024)
  • Great Lakes Digital Libraries
  • Lakeland Library Cooperative
  • Metro Net Library Consortium
  • Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative
  • Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
  • Saint Clair County Library System (added 10/3/2024)
  • Southwest Michigan Digital Library (added 7/29/2025)
  • Suburban Library Cooperative
  • Traverse Area District Library (added 4/9/2024)
  • Up North Library Cooperative
  • White Pine Library Cooperative
  • Woodlands Library Cooperative

This means that including our 78,000+ titles, you have access to over 387,000 additional titles!


To access the Partner Library collections on your computer, simply click the “Partner libraries” button in the upper right corner of Download Destination.


On the Libby app, follow these steps to add our Partner Libraries to your account:

  1. Open the menu (found in the bottom center) inside Libby
  2. Select “Add Library
  3. Search for a Partner Library – their names are listed in red above
  4. Select “Sign In With My Card
  5. Under Partner Libraries select Dexter District Library
  6. Enter your library card and pin.
    Tip:  You can long hold on the library card number after typing it, then select copy.  When you arrive at this step again, long hold and press paste to save time.
  7. You are now shopping on that Partner Library’s Libby collection
  8. Repeat the process to add the rest of the Partner Libraries
  9. You may toggle between Library collections using the menu in the bottom center inside Libby

Please note that hold priority is given to patrons borrowing from their home library collection.

Summer Reading Program For Adults

The Library’s Summer Reading Program for Adults begins on Monday, June 16. This year’s theme is Color Our World and the program will focus on the arts: painting, sculpture, music and more. Register and pick up a Summer Reading packet at the Adult Service Desk. Complete any 6 themed activity sheets to be entered into the final prize drawing. In addition to the Color Our World print version of the program, participants will also be able to log reading minutes and complete online activities on Beanstack at: https://dexter.beanstack.org.  The Adult Summer Reading Program is for adults 18 years of age and older. Complete the program by August 10 to be entered in the final prize drawing.

Summer Reading Program and Events for Children

“COLOR OUR WORLD” SUMMER READING PROGRAM: Monday, June 16 – Friday, August 1

The Youth Summer Reading Programs are open to children and teens of all ages through grade 12.

Registration begins Monday, June 16. You can participate online using the Beanstack website or app, or participate in person using a paper log.

Choose One of Three Programs:

  • Children who cannot yet read may participate with a parent or caregiver by signing up for the Read-to-Me program. Keep track of your reading goal and receive small weekly prizes beginning Monday, June 23.
  • Children who can read on their own may sign up for the Reading Club program and will earn a variety of beads and build their own personal lanyard reading log beginning Monday, June 23.
  • Teens and Tweens in grades 5 through 12 can sign up for the Teen Reading program. Keep track of the number of hours you read to receive small weekly prizes beginning Monday, June 23.

Complete all 6 weeks of the Summer Reading Program and turn in your reading record between Monday, July 28 and Sunday, August 10 to receive a goody bag and automatically be entered into the Final Prize Drawing to be held on Monday, August 11. Goody bags will continue to be available for pick-up until the beginning of the school year while supplies last.

Events – See each event page for more details and to register. Registration may be required for events.

Drop-In Summer Story Time at the Library
Monday & Thursday mornings at 11:00 am
June 23 – July 31
No registration required
Toddlers and Preschoolers

Drop-In Summer Story Time for toddlers and preschoolers will start on Monday, June 23 and run through Thursday, July 31. We will be meeting in the Lower-Level Meeting Room.

Story Time will be held on Mondays and repeated on Thursdays at 11:00 am. Books and activities are geared for toddlers and preschoolers. Each program lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Our story times will include picture, pop-up and interactive books, flannel-board stories, songs, puppets, finger plays and other activities that encourage a love of reading. Registration is not required.

 

JUNE

Crazy Craig Juggling Show: Summer Reading Kick-Off Event
Monday, June 16
11:00 am – 11:45 pm
All Ages
Drop-In Program
Sponsored by Wolverine Glass

Be prepared for a high-energy, interactive, comedy, juggling, and variety show with performer Craig Wise. This 45-minute program full of non-stop action and audience participation is for all ages and will keep everyone on the edge of their seats, wanting more of his fun, crazy antics. Refreshments will be served at the Farmers Market following the show. This event kicks off this year’s Summer Reading Program “Color Our World”. Registration is not required.

 

Drop-in DIY Fan Craft
Tuesday, June 17
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Children of all ages
Drop-In Program

Cool off this summer with a fan that you decorate yourself. We will supply a variety of markers, paint markers, and other embellishments to make the fan your own. Registration is not required.

 

“Color Our World” Mini Canvas Painting
Wednesday, June 18
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Children of All Ages
Drop-In Program

This drop-in event is for children of all ages. Stop by the Library on Wednesday, June 18 any time from 10:00 am until noon and paint a mini-canvas. Registration is not required.

 

Music at the Blissful Concert with Evan Haller
Saturday, June 21
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
All Ages
Drop-In Program

National touring musician Music at the Blissful (Evan Haller) visits Dexter District Library for a fun-filled, interactive, movement-packed music experience for the whole family.  Come join the fun as we sing, jump, shake, laugh and go slow and fast with Music at The Blissful. Playing featuring songs off his new album, “What’s Next?” This is sure to be an action-packed good time for all. Registration is not required.

 

Super Stories Book Club
Tuesday, June 24
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
For Young Fives and Kindergartners
Registration required and begins Tuesday, May 13

This is a story and craft program for kids transitioning out of story time and into book club. Adults should attend this program with their children. Each month Miss Ruth will read books related to a theme and then the kids will do a theme related craft or activity. The June theme is Color. Registration is required.

 

Makerspace
Wednesday, June 25
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Grades K – 8
Drop-In Program

Make, build, craft and explore. Participate in a variety of open-ended activities. We supply the materials and you supply the imagination. Registration is not required.

 

All Star Readers Book Club
Thursday, June 26
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Grades 3 – 4
Registration required and begins Thursday, May 15

All Star Readers is an independent book club for third and fourth graders.  Each month we will play an icebreaker game, have a book discussion, and do an activity related to the book we discuss. Books will be available to pick up at the library after you register. Our June book is Art Club by Rashad Doucet. Registration is required.

 

MellyPop! Puppets – “Chicken Little and Friends” Puppet Show
Friday, June 27
11:00 am – 11:45 am
All Ages
Drop-In Program

Come along and hang out with Aunt Betty, Chicken Little, and all your favorite barnyard buddies for a classic tale with a fun twist—YOU get to choose how it ends! This lively, interactive show mixes puppets, music, and plenty of laughs. It’s inspired by the beloved folk tales of ‘Chicken Little’ and ‘Henny Penny.’ Join the fun! Registration is not required.

 

Art Imitation Stations
Saturday, June 28
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Children of All Ages
Drop-In Program

Art projects for children based on the styles and methods of famous artists. Registration is not required.

 

Chess Club
Monday, June 30
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Kids and Teens
Registration begins Wednesday, June 4

If you enjoy playing chess, join us for a special session of Chess Club this summer. Compete in tournament-style play or a casual game and improve your skills. All kids and teens with at least a basic knowledge of chess gameplay are welcome to attend. Chess sets will be provided by the Library for this event. Registration is required.

 

JULY

Lego Club
Tuesday, July 1
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Grades K – 8
Drop-In Program

Kids in grades K through 8 are invited to spend an afternoon making their own Lego creations while visiting with old friends and making new ones.  Everyone is welcome – Legos will be provided by the Library.  Registration is not required.

 

Ice Cream Social for Dexter Library Card Holders and Drop-In Crafts
Wednesday, July 2
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
All Ages
Drop-In Program
Sponsored by Dexter Creamery

Show your Dexter District Library card and receive FREE ice cream – located in front of the Library. During our Ice Cream Social, there will be a variety of drop-in crafts on the lower level for all ages. Registration is not required.

 

Minecraft Party
Tuesday, July 8
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Grades K – 8
Drop-In Program

If you missed the Minecraft party this winter or want to relive the fun, you’re in luck! This is another chance to celebrate your favorite building game. Unplug and take part in Minecraft-inspired games and crafts in real life. Creep on in anytime during this drop-in event. Registration is not required.

 

Drop-in DIY Lei Craft
Wednesday, July 9
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Children of all ages
Drop-In Program

Celebrate the summer season by creating your own lei to wear. String together colorful foam flowers and beads to make your own unique lei. Registration is not required.

 

Club Create Book Club
Thursday, July 10
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Grades 1 – 2
Registration required and begins Thursday, June 5

Club Create is an independent book club for first and second graders. Each month Ms. Krista will read longer picture books centered on a theme and the group will participate in activities and crafts related to the theme. The July theme is Oceans. Registration is required.

 

Big Truck and Emergency Vehicle Day
Friday, July 11
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
All Ages
Drop-In Program

The Dexter District Library will host a large variety of trucks and emergency vehicles for children and adults of all ages to experience, rain or shine. The parking lot will be closed during this event to allow freedom to browse, tour and talk to the owners and operators of the wonderful machines that make our lives easier and safer. Bring your camera – there will be plenty of photo opportunities with the vehicles and special Cool Cat costumed character. Registration is not required.

 

Nutty Scientist’s Light and Color Workshop
Tuesday, July 15
Session 1 – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Session 2 – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Grades K – 4
Registration required and begins Friday, June 20

School-aged children in grades K – 4 are invited to reserve a spot at one of the two sessions that are offered. Join the Nutty Scientists of Southeast Michigan for a one-hour STEAM program exploring light and color! We will learn about how our brains work with our eyes to take in the colorful world around us, through exciting, hands-on experiments. We will be creating colorful spy-like secret messages and pictures, discover the wonders of refraction, and make our very own take-home kaleidoscopes! Come and get creative while we learn about the magic of everyday science! Registration is required.

 

Makerspace
Wednesday, July 16
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Grades K – 8
Drop-In Program

Make, build, craft and explore. Participate in a variety of open-ended activities. We supply the materials and you supply the imagination. Registration is not required.

 

 

Cameron Zvara: Comedy Magician & Entertainer Magic Show
Friday, July 18
11:00 am – 11:45 pm
All Ages
Registration is not required

Join us for a morning of FUN with Comedy Magician & Entertainer- Cameron Zvara! Cameron’s show is filled with mind blowing magic, comedy, juggling, music, and TONS of audience participation. You do not want to miss out! Registration is not required.

 

Super Stories Book Club
Tuesday, July 22
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
For Young Fives and Kindergartners
Registration required and begins Tuesday, June 24

This is a story and craft program for kids transitioning out of story time and into book club. Adults should attend this program with their children. Each month Miss Ruth will read books related to a theme and then the kids will do a theme related craft or activity. The July theme is Summer. Registration is required.

 

Textured Sunflowers on Canvas Workshop with KidCreate Studio
Wednesday, July 23
Session 1 – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Session 2 – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Grades K – 4
Registration required and begins Wednesday, June 25

Children in grades K-4 are invited to reserve a spot at one of the two sessions that are offered of this exciting art workshop. Artists will use plaster and paint to make a colorful masterpiece in the style of Van Gogh’s sunflowers! Registration is required. Registration is required.

 

All Star Readers Book Club
Thursday, July 24
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Grades 3 – 4
Registration required and begins Thursday, June 26

All Star Readers is an independent book club for third and fourth graders.  Each month we will play an icebreaker game, have a book discussion, and do an activity related to the book we discuss. Books will be available to pick up at the library after you register. Our July book is Stick Dog by Tom Watson. Registration is required.

 

Camouflage Animals: Live Animal program
Friday, July 25
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
All Ages
Drop-In Program

Learn how animals use camouflage to survive, feed, and find shelter in their natural environments. This amazing show features a variety of animals from different countries and diverse ecosystems. Registration is not required.

 

Preschool Pigeon Party
Saturday, July 26
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages 5 and under
Drop-In Program

Children ages 5 and under, along with their caregivers, are invited to a special party celebrating Mo Willem’s Pigeon books. Explore a variety of stations with Pigeon crafts, games, and other activities. Registration is not required.

 

Adopt a Stuffed Animal Pet
Tuesday, July 29
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Children of all ages
Drop-In Program 

Drop by the library and choose a mini stuffed animal to adopt as a pet. Fill out a certificate of adoption, decorate a pet carrier, and make a beaded collar for your pet to wear. These pets make great reading buddies too! Registration is not required.

 

Lego Club
Tuesday, July 29
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Grades K – 8
Drop-In Program

Kids in grades K through 8 are invited to spend an afternoon making their own Lego creations while visiting with old friends and making new ones.  Everyone is welcome – Legos will be provided by the Library.  Registration is not required.

 

Movie & Popcorn for Kids
Dog Man (PG – 2025)
Wednesday, July 30
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Children of all ages
Drop-In Program

Kids of all ages are invited to stop by the Library and watch Dog Man (2025) on the big screen while enjoying a free bag of popcorn. Registration is not required. 

When a dog and a police officer are injured together on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history. Half dog, half man, Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve as he doggedly pursues his arch-nemesis: the feline supervillain Petey the Cat. But the rivalry between Dog Man and Petey is upended by the arrival of an adorable kitten clone of Petey, Lil Petey.

Rated PG – 93 minutes

 

AUGUST

Big Bubble Dance Party – Summer Reading Program Wrap-Up Event
Friday, August 1
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
All Ages

Drop-In Program

Children of all ages will enjoy playing with a huge variety of bubble wands to create bubbles while dancing to family friendly music as bubble machines create thousands of bubbles all around! Registration is not required.

 

Preschool Makerspace
Tuesday, August 5
11:00 – 12:00 pm
Ages 5 and under
Drop-In Program

Make, try, create and play at the Library. Young children will explore a variety of stations with open-ended creative activities designed to encourage early learning. Children need an active adult partner to help them. Registration is not required.

 

Lego Club
Tuesday, August 26
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Grades K – 8
Drop-In Program

Kids in grades K through 8 are invited to spend an afternoon making their own Lego creations while visiting with old friends and making new ones.  Everyone is welcome – Legos will be provided by the Library.  Registration is not required.

New Skills for 2025

Start a New Hobby

Hobbies & Crafts Source can help you start a new hobby for 2025 such as knitting. “Knitting School” in Creative Knitting includes diagrams and instructions to help with basic techniques, as well as information about yarn weight and reading patterns. Using this guide you might knit a temperature afghan—a special blanket that includes one row per day of the year featuring a color for each temperature range. Once you’ve become proficient, you might even knit a hat and mittens set to keep warm outdoors. Speaking of getting outside, make 2025 your “Big Year”—the year you begin birdwatching and keep track of every type of bird you see. Bird Watcher’s Digest suggests that you don’t have to travel far and can instead modify this challenge to your own parameters in “A Local BIG YEAR” or perhaps narrow your watching even further into a category of birds such as birds of a particular color or size according to “A List of Lists.”

Do It Yourself

Maybe you are more of a do-it-yourselfer. Small Engine Repair Source can help you tune up and repair more than 80 makes of snowmobiles. Those who like to tinker will find information about ATVs, generators, outdoor power equipment, and even tractors. There are diagrams of various parts of many models as well as user manuals.

Fix Up Your Home

Gaining new skills to fix up your home and yard is another great way to spend 2025. Home Improvement Source can help us understand the pros and cons of “Off-Grid Heating Solutions” and what to consider when we want to find out “How to Create Your Dream Kitchen Extension” in Homebuilding & Renovating. Winter might be the perfect time to start planning a garden to provide both a hobby and healthy food all summer long. In the February 2025 issue of Log & Timber Home Living you’ll find “Growing Up,” an article with ideas for gardening in smaller spaces.

No matter what you decide to do with it, 2025 is a brand-new year and you are in charge of how you enjoy it. We hope you will continue to make the MeL eResources part of your journey.

LEL

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda.com, is a video training database with:

  • 16,000+ online courses in 7 languages.
  • Expert Instructors with real-world experience.
  • 60 new courses added each week!
  • Courses cover: Leadership, Project Management, Excel, Sales, Job Hunting, Cloud Computing, Python, DevOps, Data Science, Digital Marketing, Photography, Videography, 3D and Animation, CAD, and much more.

Log in using your Dexter District Library card that begins with 29221 and your pin.  If you are a Dexter resident and have one of our older cards beginning with 29082, stop by the Library to upgrade for free.

For the mobile app – use LibraryID: dexterdistrictlibrary

Kanopy and Creativebug

Kanopy & Creativebug

The popular on-demand film streaming service Kanopy is now available free to Dexter District Library patrons. Library cardholders whose cards begin with 29221 can access Kanopy and sign up to start streaming films instantly by visiting https://dexter.kanopy.com. If you have one of our older library cards that begins with 29082, please stop by the Library and we’ll upgrade it free.

Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for Android/Chromecast, iOS/AppleTV, Amazon Fire Tablets (not sticks), or Roku.  You may check out up to 10 titles (plays) per card, per month.  The loan period is 72 hours (3 days.)  Click here for help with Kanopy.

Get the App for:

kanopy for roku

Creative Bug

Dexter District Library cardholders can now access Creativebug by Jo-Ann, the award-winning destination for high-quality online arts and crafts video classes. With it, you can enjoy unlimited access to over 1,000 video classes taught by experts with new classes added daily. Here are a few key features:

  • Over 1,000 ad-free, concisely edited classes in HD video including:
    • Drawing
    • Painting
    • Sewing
    • Knitting
    • Crocheting
    • Quilting
    • Baking
  • New classes from top artists released every day
  • Downloadable patterns, templates, and recipes
  • Access to Creativebug community galleries and forum

HOW IT WORKS

Creativebug is currently available on laptops, desktops, tablets, and mobile phones via the Creativebug app or web browser. The Creativebug app is available via the App Store and Google Play. With the app, you can download your class and take it on the go.

Create a Creativebug account here using your Dexter District Library card that begins with 29221:
https://www.creativebug.com/lib/dexterlib
(Do you still have a library card that begins with 29082?  Please stop by the Library and upgrade it free.)

Once you’ve created an account, you will use that to access the features such as My Library, My Watchlist, and My Gallery.