Plant a Seed, Read During St. Helens 2026 Summer Library Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2026

ST. HELENS, OR - St. Helens Public Library invites you to "Plant a Seed, Read" during the 2026 Summer Library Challenge for youth, teens, and adults. The program will run from June 15 to August 9, 2026, and includes activities for children, teens, and adults. You do not need a library card to participate in the program or attend events.

The 2026 Summer Library Challenge theme "Plant a Seed, Read" will focus on programs that promote planting, nature, and animal life with a growth mindset to encourage literacy, community, and reading for all ages.

The Summer Library Challenge offers programs in three categories: a youth program for ages birth to 13, a teen program for ages 13 to 18, and an adult program for ages 18 and older.

Youth Ages Birth to 13

Online registration for the Summer Library Challenge begins June 8 on Beanstack at https://sthelens.beanstack.com/reader365 . Parents and caregivers can begin logging activities and minutes read on June 15. For questions about logging activities and minutes or registration, please contact the library for help in person or by phone at 503-397-4544.

Registration goodies can be picked up in person at the library starting June 15. This year's registration pack includes a lanyard, a free book, and a bookmark.

Participants can earn badges to pin on their lanyard by logging minutes read on Beanstack, then pick up badges when they visit the library. When they come into the library, they can also spin the prize wheel to win more prizes. Participants are limited to one spin per day.

In addition to Beanstack activities, the library will host Family Storytimes every Monday at 11 a.m. and special programs on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. See the schedule below for more details. You do not have to have a library card or participate in the Summer Library Challenge to attend programs. Registration may be required.

Teens Ages 13 to 18

Register on Beanstack at https://sthelens.beanstack.com/reader365 beginning June 8 . Once registered, pick up a free lanyard, a free book, and a bookmark.

Participants can earn badges to pin on their lanyard. Additionally, minutes read each week can be logged on Beanstack for a chance to win a drink tumbler. Each time they come into the library, participants can roll a die to win a free prize or something they can make in the Makerspace.

In addition to the weekly drawings and prizes, teens can participate in programs hosted by performers and library staff. See the schedule below for additional details . You do not have to have a library card or participate in the Summer Library Challenge to attend programs. Registration may be required.

Special Youth and Teen Programs

Seed Snails, Tuesday, June 16, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Come play in the dirt, plant some seeds, then take your seed snail home to watch it grow! This family-friendly event is made possible by donations from Means Nursery and the OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners. No registration is required.

Lucky Rooster Farm Petting Zoo, Tuesday, June 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Weather permitting, join us in the Columbia Center (Library) parking lot as we welcome furry friends from a local farm. Come learn about their lifestyle and pet them too! This is a family-friendly program. No registration is required.

Maker 250, Friday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join us in the SHPL Makerspace as we celebrate 250 years of America. Choose between three patriotic options! Create an acrylic keychain on the Glowforge, sew a soft keychain fob with red, white, and blue fabric, or make a badge to pin on your t-shirt for all your 4^th of July fun! Drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. All projects are free while supplies last. This event is perfect for all ages. No registration is required.

Puppets and Parachutes, Tuesday, June 30, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Come dance and play with all our puppet friends in the library courtyard. You may recognize some of these furry little friends from storytimes, but others might be new to you. Practice telling stories and acting out scenes from your favorite books. This is a family-friendly event. No registration is required.

Youth Yoga with Teacher Katie, Tuesday, July 7, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Love doing yoga but have not figured out how to share that with your child? Come to the library courtyard and learn some beginner moves/routines with Teacher Katie. This is a family-friendly event. No registration is required.

Portland Insectarium, Tuesday, July 21, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Love bugs and creepy crawly things? Want to learn more about them? Drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. in the Columbia Center Armstrong room to get up close and personal with Portland Insectarium's insects! This is a family-friendly event. No registration is required.

Teen Lock In: Choose Your Own Adventure, Wednesday, July 22, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Come take over the library while it's closed to the public. Build the best fort, play your favorite game, create art, eat pizza, and hang out with your friends! For teens aged 13-18. No registration is required.

Wee Wigglers Storytime, Monday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Teacher Kristen and Teacher Katie from Northwest Regional Education Service District for a high-energy multisensory storytime to read stories, sing songs, and get the wiggles out. Besides being tons of fun, this program supports attention, understanding, memory, and engagement while helping children learn using their whole bodies. This program is best for birth to 5. No registration is required.

Chalk the Walk, Tuesday, July 28, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Come to the library courtyard and design the perfect square to challenge participants with fun and creative movement. Work in pairs, as a family, or all by yourself. Once all participants have designed their square, follow the chalk pathway through an obstacle course of fun. Keep returning as many times as you'd like until the weather washes it away. This program is intended for all ages. No registration is required.

P.J. Storytime, Monday August 3, 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Say goodnight to Family Storytime for the summer. Wear your fluffiest slippers, your comfiest pajamas, and bring your coziest stuffie friend along for the fun. Join us in the Columbia Center auditorium for a half hour of stories, movement, and bedtime songs with Miss Jana. Vote for the most outrageous bedtime fit! Best for ages birth to 5. No registration is required.

Weekly Family Storytimes

Family Storytime, every Monday, June 15 through July 20 , 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Bring your own blanket and join us in the courtyard for a half hour of stories, body movement, singing, dancing, and rhymes! Beyond the fun, each session is thoughtfully designed with your child's development and early literacy in mind. Best for ages birth to 5. No registration is required.

Special Visitors to Family Storytime:

June 15 Join local children's author Doug Beisley and his musical instruments!

June 29 Join Columbia River PUD for a fun story and special activity.

July 20 Join Dolly Parton Imagination Library with free book giveaways and a craft!

Adults Ages 18 and Older

Register on Beanstack at https://sthelens.beanstack.com/reader365 beginning June 8.

Once registered, submit book reviews or log reading time each week to be entered into a weekly drawing for a chance to win a $20 gift card from a local restaurant. Participants who complete one challenge earn a tote bag. Completing more challenges earns participants a free book from the book cart. Programs will also be offered throughout the summer. See the schedule below for additional details.

Special Adult Programs

You do not have to have a library card or participate in the Summer Library Challenge to attend the following programs. Registration and information about programs can be found on the library website. All adult programs are for ages 18 and older. Some programs require pre-registration. Please read the descriptions carefully.

Book Club, Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. " The Second life of Mirielle West" by Amanda Skenandore. The glamorous world of a silent film star's wife abruptly crumbles when she's forcibly quarantined at the Carville Lepers Home in this page-turning story of courage, resilience, and reinvention set in 1920s Louisiana and Los Angeles.

OSU Master Preservers Gauge Testing and Pickling Presentation, Tuesday, June 23, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The OSU Extension Service Master Preservers will be available to test the gauges on your pressure canners on the fourth Tuesday of each month through August. They will also give presentations on different food preservation methods. In June, they will be talking about pickling. Join them in the Armstrong Room to learn more.

OSU Master Gardeners Worm Compost Bins, Tuesday, June 30, 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Learn how to make compost for your garden with a worm compost bin. Master Gardener volunteer Roy Barbour explains why you might want to try worm composting and will demonstrate how to make a small compost bin. Participants will take home instructions to make their own bins.

Vertical Herb Gardens, Tuesday, July 7, 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Make a vertical herb garden using repurposed cupboard doors and clean soda cans. Participants can choose from a variety of herb starts. Registration is required.

Button Flower Garden (Adults and Crafts), Tuesday, July 14, 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Create a garden collage using buttons! Bring your button stash from home or use ours to make a rainbow garden collage. Registration is required.

Book Club, Tuesday, July 21, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams. An unforgettable and heartwarming debut about how a chance encounter with a list of library books helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people in a London suburb.

OSU Master Preservers Gauge Testing and Fermenting Presentation, Tuesday, July 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The OSU Extension Service Master Preservers will be available to test the gauges on your pressure canners on the fourth Tuesday of each month through August. They will also give presentations on different food preservation methods. In July, they will be talking about fermenting.

St. Helens Garden Club Flower Arranging How-To, Tuesday, August 4, 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Members of the St. Helens Garden Club will teach participants how to create flower arrangements using cut flowers from local gardens. Flowers will be provided, although you are welcome to bring some from your own garden. Participants must bring their own containers for arrangements. Registration is required.

Makerspace This Summer

Maker Friday , every Friday starting June 19, 12 p.m. (Noon) to 5 p.m., (no program July 3). All ages are welcome to come work on projects together in the Makerspace. All children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Some equipment requires prior certification. No registration is required.

Maker Monday, every Monday starting June 22, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to work on projects together in the Makerspace. All children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Some equipment requires prior certification. No registration is required.

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For further information regarding the Summer Library Challenge, please contact St. Helens Public Library Director Suzanne Bishop at [email protected] or call the library at 503-397-4544 .