Summer Reading + July Programming at the CDA Library
JULY PROGRAMMING
All Ages Summer Programs
Paint By Number Reading Logs
Rediscover the joy of reading and creativity with our Paint By Number Reading Logs for kids, teens, and adults! The kit includes all the paint you need and themed designs to complete, each marking a milestone in your summer reading journey. Read, paint, and win prizes from June 1 to August 31!
Adults can log their reading online here:
Paint Party - July 11 (5 pm)
Grab your brushes and join us for a lively paint party lead by local artist Jessica Bryant! Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, this event is a great way to express your creativity. Follow along with our instructor to create your own masterpiece of our beautiful Tubbs Hill, while enjoying a relaxed and social atmosphere.
Pixel Art Bingo - August 8 (5-6 pm)
Combine the fun of bingo with the creativity of pixel art! Participants will receive bingo cards featuring pixel art designs. As you mark off each square, you'll gradually reveal a colorful image. This event is suitable for all ages and is a fantastic way to blend art and play.
Children’s Programs
Rainbow Reading Hour Story Time
Each week of summer storytime will feature a different color. You’re encouraged to come dressed in attire that corresponds with each week’s themed color!
July 1 - Brown
July 8 - Orange
July 15 - Yellow
July 22 - Green
July 29 - Blue
August 5 - Grey
August 12 - Purple
Lap-Sit Baby Story Time (0-18 mo) - Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (10 am)
Celebrate summer with a colorful storytime that’s designed for caregivers to share quality time with their baby! As we color your baby’s world with reading, we’ll also bounce, giggle, listen to flannel stories, sing catchy songs, and make silly actions that will bring a smile to your little one’s face.
Toddler Story Time (18 mo-3 yo) - Thursdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (10 am)
Color your world with reading by bringing your toddler to the library for some summer fun! Of course, we’ll read a spectrum of colorful stories, but there will also be plenty of singing, dancing, and silly moves to keep youngsters busy. All the activities are intended to delight and emphasize early learning concepts. After storytime, you’re invited to stay for unstructured playtime filled with creative opportunities and fun toys.
Pre-School Story Time (3-5 yo) - Fridays, July 11, 18, 25 (10 am)
Summer is a great time to introduce preschoolers to the fun of group activities such as storytime at the library! Color your world with entertaining stories that nurture your child’s imagination along with fun activities that fuel their curiosity and build literacy skills. In addition to offering plenty of music and movement, this storytime always ends with an exciting, crowd-pleasing craft.
Creating with Color (Ages 5-8) - Tuesdays (11 am)
Make a masterpiece! Join us in the Community Room to have fun using a variety of mediums to mimic the styles of the world’s most famous artists. Prepare to learn fascinating tidbits about their lives and works while experiencing the joy of expressing yourself through art!
July 1 – Design with dots like Georges Seurat
July 8 – Construct a collage like Pablo Picasso
July 15 – Fashion flowers like Georgia O’Keefe
July 22 – Create a creature like Salvador Dali
July 29 – Be bold & bright like Frida Kahlo
August 5 – Splatter and splash like Jackson Pollock
August 12 – Print pop-art like Andy Warhol
Artistry of Animals (All Ages) - Wednesdays (10 am at Higgens Point)
Meet nature’s original master craftsmen! This is a destination program for adventurous families that love getting outdoors to enjoy nature. Each week of this storytime at Higgens Point State Park will focus on an intriguing woodland creature, their “craft”, and the science behind it. We will also create a special project that’s inspired by animals and nature. While all ages are welcome, this program is designed for ages 4-10. Participants should allow time to hike an easy third-of-a-mile (paved) trail from the Higgens Point parking lot (at the end of E. Coeur d’Alene Lake Dr) up to the picnic shelter where storytime will take place.
July 2 – Beavers: The masters of architecture
July 9 – Bees: The masters of dance
July 16 – Hares: The masters of disguise
July 23 – Bears: The masters of gourmet
July 30 – Owls: The masters of storytelling
Dabbling in Design (Ages 9-12) - Thursdays (2-3:30 pm)
Experience a handful of creative disciplines at the library! We will have fun trying out a variety of artistic endeavors that are sure to add some flair and friendships to your summer!
July 10 – Landscape Design (zen gardens)
July 17 – Game Design (one-of-a-kind boardgames)
July 24 – Cupcake Design (confection decorating)
July 31 – Book Art Design (star accordion books)
August 7 – Stage Design (shadow puppet theaters)
Dog Days of Summer (All Ages) – Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (2-3 pm)
Join us on Wednesday afternoons this summer to practice reading to a real, live therapy dog! This is the perfect program for children who are working on building their reading confidence or who love sharing books with a furry friend. These dogs love to hear stories and are ready to help you become the best reader you can be!
Saturday with the Symphony: A Children’s Program (3+yo) – Saturday, July 19 (11 am)
Come enjoy a morning of musical enrichment at the library! This free music education program is coordinated by the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra and recurs the third Saturday of each month. July’s program will feature a string quartet, and a correlating storybook will also be read by the children’s librarian.
Summer Book Club (Ages 9-12) – July 16 (3-4pm)
Color your world by reading art-themed fiction with friends! We’ll meet up on the 3rd Wednesday of each month to discuss a story, and enjoy a snack and activity inspired by the book. A limited number of copies of each juvenile novel will be available from the children’s library one month before the scheduled book club meeting. Stop in to pick up your copy of Chasing Vermeer starting June 16! A commitment to attend the July 16th book club program is required to receive a book.
July 16 – Chasing Vemeer by Blue Balliett
August 20 – Beneath the Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou
Teen Programs
Teen Zine (Ages 12-19) - Posted every 1st Tuesday by 4pm
Want to be a content creator for a zine that’s by teens and for teens? Find out how to submit your ideas to be considered by the teen librarian (by the 15th of the previous month) and subscribe to future issues at cdateenzone.substack.com
#ClassicBookTok (Ages 12+) - Intro every 2nd Tuesday posted by 4pm
Each month, two Young Adult Classics will be introduced on the library’s TikTok, Instagram, and Substack accounts (@cdalibrary) on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Join the virtual book club on Storygraph!
Walk in the Park Club (Ages 12+) - Every 3rd Tuesday (4-5 pm)
Join us for a relaxing walk and talk! Bring your own audiobook player—or borrow a pre-loaded MP3 player from the library—and enjoy a free classic audiobook from the summer reading list on Libby or LibriVox. Prefer something else? Feel free to listen to your favorite audiobook, music album, or podcast instead. Meet at the amphitheater!
Forbidden Coloring – Teen Anime Club (Ages 12-19) - Most Thursdays (4 pm)
Ever wanted to color in the forbidden black & white pages of manga? Now you can! Join us for Forbidden Coloring—where we repurpose withdrawn manga pages into unique coloring sheets. While you color, we’ll have anime playing on the Teen Zone big screen for background vibes. Come for the creativity; stay for the chill atmosphere!
Kawaii Glass Art - Thursday, July 31, (4-6 pm)
Get artsy with a kawaii twist! In this special edition of Anime Club, we’ll be creating reverse glass art. Choose a cute character, trace it onto a glass frame, and paint the back with acrylics to bring your design to life—backwards! No experience needed—we'll walk you through it! Just bring your love for all things kawaii to the Teen Zone!
TGIF Club (Ages 12-19) - Most Fridays, 4-5:30PM
Kick off your weekend with creativity and fun! Join us for TGIF Club, where you can play games, make art, and meet new friends in the Teen Zone. No pressure—just good vibes and great company!
Bookend Your Summer (Ages 12-19) - Saturday, August 30 (1-3 pm)
Bookend your Summer by decorating a bookend! We’ll provide two free bookends to the first 40 teens to attend. Stay the whole time and use the library’s random art supplies or take them home to work on them with your own art supplies. There will be popcorn and cold drinks, too! (in the Teen Zone)
Chill & Checkout Challenge (for Teens 12-19) - June 1 to August 31
Over the summer, teens can earn an extra prize book for completing 4 of 6 challenges! Three challenges encourage you to chill (hangout) in the Teen Zone. And three challenges encourage you to checkout items from our collection. Pick-up a punch card from the Teen Zone to track your progress and get more information!
Adult/All Ages Weekly/Biweekly Programs
Yoga for You! (Ages 18+) - Mondays and Fridays (9:30 am)
Join us for this Yoga program for adults. This blend of stretching, strengthening and balance work, along with relaxation, may be just what you’re looking for. Come enjoy the many benefits of this ancient practice! Your instructor, Gerry Bryak, will adapt poses to your needs so this yoga is truly for YOU! All levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced. Please bring a mat to class.
Tai Chi & Qi Gong (Ages 18+) - Mind Body Movement- Tuesdays (9:30 am)
Improve strength, balance, coordination, focus, breathwork and relaxation, all while exploring different movements from Tai Chi and Qi Gong styles. All movements can be done within your own comfort zone and mobility level. No special equipment or clothing needed, wear what is comfortable for you. Avoid wearing flip flops or slides. Chairs will be available for those that need to sit or use for extra balance. This program is for anyone at any age and any ability level. Your instructor Christine brings over 25 years of experience in teaching and sharing Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Find us in the Community Room.
Stronger in Body & Mind (Ages 16+) – Wednesdays July 2, 9, 16, & 30 (9:30 am)
Low-impact fitness & strength training class for all levels of strength. Feel stronger, fitter, refreshed and more focused! Jeannette, a trainer with over a decade of experience, will guide you to work at your own personal level, with modifications as needed. Whole body workout, using dumbbells, body weights, and simple resistance training. We’ll add a bit of cardio, flexibility and finish with a guided mindfulness practice. For any questions email Jeannette at StrongerBodyMind@gmail.com
*It is recommended to please bring a pair of light weights/dumbbells, a mat and a bottle of water! Find us in the Community Room.
Sit-n-Stitch (Ages 12+) - Wednesdays (11 am)
New to crochet and knitting? Always wanted to learn? Want to come and craft with some friendly faces? Join us every Wednesday for our crochet Sit-n-Stitch! Materials, patterns, and project help will be provided. All skill levels are welcome, feel free to bring your own handwork projects! You can find us this month in the Jameson Room.
Community Sew-In (All-Ages)– Thursdays (12-3 pm)
Join us in our weekly sewing sessions! Are you working on a quilting project and want to connect with fellow enthusiasts? Come along and socialize, ask for advice, or whatever else you might need. Don't forget to bring your sewing machine (or your hand-sewing materials), your fabric, your extension cord, and your enthusiasm for sewing! Meet us in the Community Room and let's get creative. All ages are welcome for this program, there is no instruction provided.
Scribbler’s Society Writing Club (Ages 18+) - Mondays, July 14 & 28 (2 & 5 pm)
Join fellow writers for an hour of brainstorming, critiquing, and inspiration — in-person every 2nd and 4th Monday from 2-3 and 5-6 in the Gozzer Room. All skill levels and genres welcome. Geared toward adults. Please email lmoore@cdalibrary.org for more information.
Adult/All Ages Special Programs
Maximize Your Healthspan (Ages 18+)– Wednesday, July 2 (4-5)
Discover the secrets of longevity, how to age gracefully, and maximize your healthspan. Sponsored by Natural Grocers, this one-hour presentation will start with an overview of aging and what factors accelerate its process. We will dive into lifestyle, diet, supplements and other actions that can support a more optimal aging process to maximize the number of healthy years lived and then we’ll finish with a Q&A session. Our speaker, Gianna Torres, is a certified Nutrition Consultant and currently works as a Nutritional Health Coach with Natural Grocers.
Lawyer in the Library (Ages 18+) - Thursday, July 3 and August 7 (4-6 pm)
The Library is partnering with the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program (IVLP) to provide resources for low-income individuals and families in Idaho who require civil legal services and cannot afford to pay for them. Although they are unable to assist with criminal issues or fee generating cases, these free legal clinics are an opportunity to receive advice and counseling from local attorneys who volunteer their time and expertise. Registration is required and must be done at least 24 hours before the clinic, every first Thursday of the month in the Gozzer Room.
Pokémon GO Community Day (All Ages) - July 5, 6, & 20 (2-5 pm)
Join us for three Pokémon GO's Community Days this month! We’ll meet in the Nelson Room on July 5th and 20th and the Community Room on July 6th and then we’ll explore McEuen Park and downtown Coeur d’Alene as a group from 3-5 pm.
Check-in at the time of the event on the Campfire app to receive free timed research themed to the event, and a point towards your Community Member badge. If you need assistance checking in, a staff member or community ambassador will be happy to assist you. Also, remember to respect other pedestrians and be aware of your surroundings while walking.
Ukulele Club (All Ages) - 2nd Saturday, July 12, (3-4:30 pm)
Want to play ukulele with others? Join local ukulele enthusiast, Brittany Clapp-Abdella, for a monthly community Ukulele Club. Learn to play the ukulele or just join the ukulele jam session. Learn basic skills, such as tuning your strings, chord positions, strumming patterns, etc, as well as songs to reinforce your learning. Find us in the Nelson Room. At this time, you must bring your own ukulele. If you don’t have one, but you would still like to participate, please contact Angela Flock at aflock@cdalibrary.org
Papier Mache Bangles - Saturday, July 5 (1-3 pm) & 12 (11-3 pm)
Join us for a two-day eco-friendly workshop at the Library, where we'll transform recycled materials into beautiful paper mâché bangles! On the first day, participants will learn how to craft sturdy bangles using paper mâché techniques. On the second day, we’ll decorate them with decoupage. All materials will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their creativity and enthusiasm.
Idaho Department of Labor Job Fair (Ages 18+) – Wednesday, July 9 (12-3 pm)
The Idaho Department of Labor will be hosting a community job and resource fair where various employers will be on-site, offering a wide range of job opportunities, including full-time, part-time, seasonal, entry-level, and skilled trade positions. Bring copies of your resume and come prepared with questions for future employers. Let’s get you hired!
Wednesday, August 6 (12-3 pm)
Wednesday, October 1 (12-3 pm)
Wednesday, November 5 (12-3 pm)
History Hour Lecture (All Ages)
In this monthly lecture series, join us in the Community Room at the Library for a special presentation with the Museum of North Idaho, featuring a local author or historian who will talk about Idaho’s fascinating heritage. Find us in the Community Room.
Boom! Bust! Bloom! - History of Spirit Lake – Wednesday, July 9 (5:30)The railroad and timber empire caused Spirit Lake's population to boom in 1908. Members of the Spirit Lake Historical Society will tell the story of the town's expansion, empire building, collapse, and survival from 1900 to the present. Brad Sondahl and Ole Hohman will guide us through the history of the railroad depot, the lake and timber industry, and the devastating fires that changed Spirit Lake forever. Mona Stafford will speak of the town's "blooming" revival and the effort to use a grant from Innovia to revive the Heart and Soul of Spirit Lake, Idaho.
The Idaho Originals Project – Thursday, July 10 (5 pm)
The Idaho Originals Project is a live, musical travelogue that celebrates the people, places, and stories of Idaho. Through original songs and stunning artwork, the project paints a vivid picture of the state's unique and diverse history and culture. Join us outside (weather permitting) of the CDA Library’s Community Room in welcoming the duo Crazy Love, featuring Idaho pianist Heather Platts and Nashville guitarist Bruce Michael Miller, who bring Idaho's stories to life with their music. This unique, all-ages performance is accompanied by a slideshow of artwork created by Idaho artists, inspired by the songs. The artwork captures the essence of Idaho's landscapes, wildlife, and stories, adding a visual feast to the musical experience. Crazy Love are official presenters of the "Inquiring Idaho Program" and their performance is supported by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council.
Meditation for a Peaceful Mind (Ages 16+) – Saturday, July 12 (10:30 am)
Join us for an enlightening experience. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a curious beginner, this class will guide you through the principles and practices of meditation in a calm and supportive environment. Our instructor will lead you through various techniques aimed at reducing stress, enhancing mindfulness, improving focus, and promoting overall well-being. We will meet on the second Saturday of the month, find us in the Community Room.
Houseplant Swap (All Ages) – July 12 (1-3 pm)
Do you have a green thumb or simply want to add some life to your living space? Join us at the library for a special event where you can swap houseplant cuttings with fellow plant enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just getting started, this event is perfect for everyone. Bring your houseplant cuttings to share and discover new varieties to take home. No cuttings? No problem! The library will provide a selection of cuttings, so you can join in the fun even if you don’t have any to bring. Bring a friend and let’s grow together!
Dungeons & Dragons Guild (Ages 13+)- Friday, July 18 (4-7 pm)
Adventurers from all walks of life may participate in one-shot dungeon campaigns for treasure, glory, and fellowship in the Nelson Room every third Friday of the month from 4pm to 7pm. Campaigns will be based on a simplified version of 2014 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons rules so that anyone can participate. Campaigns hold 3 to 4 players and will be one-shot gaming sessions that finish within 2-3 hours. No follow-up by participants is required. Pre-made character sheets are available, but adventurers may bring their own homemade characters (3rd level only please). Please visit our website for more information. Every Friday will be a new adventure! Wandering adventurers are welcome but registration is encouraged to help us prepare. Adventure, gold, and glory awaits! HUZZAH!
Making an Impression - Printmaking for Seniors
Saturdays July 19-August 9 or August 16-September 6 (1-2:30 pm)
We are excited to announce this exciting creative opportunity for seniors! Join us for four consecutive Saturdays to stretch your creativity, learn new skills, and socialize while local artist Sarah Windisch teaches the basics of printmaking. All experience levels are welcome as Sarah will be beginning with the very basics of printmaking. We encourage participants to attend each of the four sessions (this will be offered twice) as the lessons are cumulative and will build on each other. This series will finish with a final culminating event on September 13, where participants and community members are welcome to come and celebrate the art and accomplishments of all those involved.
Author Jess Walter presents: "So Far Gone" – Thursday, July 24 (7 pm)
Jess Walter to talk about his new book, "So Far Gone" Walter’s much-awaited eighth novel is the keenly observed, salient, and sharply funny story of a journalist.
Doors open at 6:30. No host bar In the community room. Unique raffle items. Titles available to purchase from Well Read Moose
San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers (All Ages)– Tuesday, July 29 (5-6:30 pm)
The San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers was formed in 1986 when renowned fiddler Alasdair Fraser placed an advertisement in a local newspaper looking for people interested in sharing Scottish fiddle music. A small group of enthusiasts quickly gathered which in the years since has grown to over 250 members. Most live in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, but there are members from all over California and beyond, even some overseas. Local Coeur d’Alene musicians will be performing with the SFSF in several locations in town this same week. Join us in the Community Room for a lively evening of music!
Book Bedazzling Blowout – Friday, August 29 (11-3 pm)
We’re having an end of Summer Reading Party where you get to drink boba, eat snacks, and bedazzle your favorite book! Join us at any time from 11-3 pm as this craft may take awhile to complete. We'll have a variety of colorful rhinestones to make your book sparkle. Don't have a book? No worries, we'll have some available for you to choose from.