Excelsior Springs, Mo.— The Mid-Continent Public Library’s Excelsior Springs branch has closed this summer’s chapter that exceeded staff expectations, thanks to this year’s Blank Canvas reading theme, meant to inspire creativity while engaging in literature.
According to Assistant Branch Manager Abi Douglas, 338 children read at least 20 days and received their first prize books. In total, 795 books were redeemed, with participants logging a cumulative 1,208 days or 24,160 hours of reading. Adults joined in as well, with 99 completing 60 days. Douglas noted this year as “a huge win,” pointing out that the branch distributed 99 compared to 2024’s summer event.
The branch also engaged in community outreach. Early Literacy Associate Kayla Bainbridge reported that 445 books were distributed to Excelsior Springs K–5 summer school students, while 170 more went to children in daycare programs at Learning Lighthouse, Talented Tots, and Imagination Station.
Incentives and prizes
This summer, staff placed extra focus on participation through community partnership prizes. Dari B donated 27 free ice cream cone vouchers, and the Excelsior Springs Community Center provided a gift basket. Other prizes included a $100 Main Event gift card and tickets to the Renaissance Festival, Sealife, the American Jazz Museum, Legoland, and more.
Douglas said the additional incentives were designed to reach children who might not be motivated by books alone. “We wanted to incentivize those who might be reluctant readers, for whom earning free books might not be as encouraging as a fun outing or ice cream,” she explained. “And it seems to have paid off.”
Staff’s favorite events
Both Douglas and Bainbridge pointed to the kickoff party as a standout. Douglas described it as a refreshing start to the season, with families enjoying painting, crafting, and thinking outside of the box. Bainbridge added that the event “pumps up the excitement for the summer, gives the opportunity to show off the theme, and bring families into the branch to get registered for the program.”
Bainbridge also enjoyed the Stuffed Animal Sleepover, where children left their plushes at the library overnight. Staff photographed their antics, then revealed the images during a storytime the next morning. The event, she said, always brings plenty of laughter and engagement from both kids and their adults.
Another personal favorite for Bainbridge comes earlier in the process: unboxing the prize books in the spring. She compared it to the joy of Christmas morning, when staff get their first look at the titles and prepare displays for the season.
Preparing for next year
Planning for summer reading begins months in advance. By March, staff will review data from the prior year to determine how many books they need to order for each age group. Bainbridge explained that headquarters provides lists of potential titles, but each branch chooses the options that best fit the community and their interests.
Douglas added that preparation also includes the Librarian’s Reading Challenge, where staff focus on reading youth titles so they’re ready to recommend them to patrons when summer arrives.
Upcoming events
While summer remains the busiest season, the Excelsior Springs branch will continue offering story times and special events into the fall and winter. Weekly story times take place Tuesday through Thursday at 10:30 a.m., with seasonal versions around Halloween and Christmas.
Upcoming programs include:
- Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. – Kansas City Symphony’s Mobile Music Box
- Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. – The Great Pumpkin Playdoh Activity
- Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. – Operation Wildlife Presents: Migration
- Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. – Kids STEAM Brick Building
Winter programming will open for registration on Nov. 1. Highlights include Dungeons and Dragons for teens, Grinch and Santa story times, and sculpture-creating activities for kids.
Though the Blank Canvas theme has wrapped and is considered a success for 2025, Douglas explained that the library’s work doesn’t slow down. “Summer is certainly our busiest time,” she said, “but we offer fun story times and programs to keep our families and patrons engaged with the library all year long.”
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