Armstrong County Libraries
June 5th through July 18th
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This year's Summer Reading Program features over 40 individual program sessions following the Unearth a Story theme! Programs include amped-up regular programs, new summer-only programs, and special events at Ford City Public Library! Click through the programs per age group below, or grab a copy of our 2026 Summer Reading Schedule!
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We hope to see you in the library this summer!
*Some of our programs have required or encourage registration. To view our registration calendar, click here or call us at 724-763-3591.
Please see program descriptions below for more information.*
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Special THANKS to this year's sponsors:​​
ASCEND Rock Climbing​
Altitude Trampoline Park
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
​Delgrosso's Amuseument Park​
Ford City Barbershop
Fun Fore All
Keystone Safari
Living Treasures Animal Park
Penn Brewery
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Pitt Athletics
Splash Lagoon
Walmart - Kittanning
The Warhol Museum​​​​
Summer Reading Programs for​
All Ages
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Legends at the Library: Unearthing History with IUP Anthropology
Thursday June 4 @6pm
Join us for a special “keynote” presentation to kick off our 2026 Summer Reading Program! IUP Anthropologists will be presenting their work in the field study of a World War II B-24 plane crash in Baden-Württemberg, German. Registration encouraged as space is limited; register online here!
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Summer Reading Kick Off
Friday June 5 @5pm
Stop by First Friday in Ford Memorial Park to grab a SRP flyer, sign up for programs or the reading challenge, grab
some dino freebies (while supplies last), and play dino mini golf! No registration necessary.
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​​Escape Room: The Lost Fossil ($30/group)
Friday & Saturday 6/12-13
Friday & Saturday 6/26-27
Friday & Saturday 7/10-11
A legendary, undocumented fossil has been discovered — one that could rewrite history. But the site supervisor sealed the discovery behind a series of field tests, research locks, and specimen containers to prevent tampering. Locked in the supervisor’s academic office, you must document the find, unlock the specimen cases, and escape before you are found out.
This Escape Room will be held in FCPL's Reading Room with timeslots from 12pm to 8pm across the three weekends above. Timeslots are $30 per group of 2-6 people. Difficulty: moderate. Children welcome with an adult. Book your timeslot online now through our Square site or book in person at the library. Timeslots are first-come, first serve, and sure to fill up quick!
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Summer Reading Wrap Up Party
Saturday July 18 @12pm
Celebrate the end of our 2026 Summer Reading Program with prize awards, photo opps, treats, and more! Prizes will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis - if you think you may be a top reader, be sure to attend!
Summer Reading Programs for​
Children
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Fridays @ 11:30am
Join us for a simple story, songs, and sensory exploration!
No registration necessary, but please note this program is highly attended in the summer months.
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Wednesdays @ 11:30am OR 1:00pm
Come read, dance, sing, & create! This summer, we'll be holding two repeat Storytime sessions due to past demand - attend whichever works best for you!
No registration necessary, but please note this program is highly attended in the summer months.
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Tuesdays @ 11:30am
Explore a different STEM activity each week - with a snack!
**Registration required for each week; sorry, no walk-ins can be accommodated.**
7/17: Archaeology vs. Paleontology
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I Survived Book Club (Ages 8+)
Thursdays @1pm
Experience what it would be like to survive some of the greatest disasters and events throughout history!
**Registration is required for the 6-week program. Please register here!**
6/11: The American Revolution, 1776
6/18: The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912
6/25: The Attacks of September 11, 2001
7/2: The Galveston Hurricane, 1900
7/9: The Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964
7/16: The Dust Bowl, 1935
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Story Night: Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Ages 3+)
Thursday June 11 @ 6pm
Join special guests from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for a hands-on lesson with artifacts, fossils, rocks, and more to learn about all things dinosaur! Registration required as space is limited; register online here!
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Story Night: Prehistoric Pets (Ages 3+)
Thursday July 9 @6pm
Learn about today’s pets who have tons in common with their prehistoric ancestors! Obersts Pet Paradise will be joining us at the library with some of their dinotastic pet friends. Registration required as space is limited; register online here! limited!
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Summer Reading for​ Teens
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Tuesdays @ 1pm
Unearth stories that have been challenged in recent history, learn about intellectual freedom, and chat with some of the authors! Registration required; register online here!
A library membership required to borrow a copy of each book. Free student memberships are available to those residing outside the library's service area as part of the Books Unbanned Grant.
6/9: Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada
6/16: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
6/23: Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
6/30: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
7/7: Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez
7/14: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
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Summer Reading for​ Adults
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Tuesdays @11:30am
Read any of the titles from our featured Summer Reading List - then drop in weekly to discuss the books you’ve
read & gather recommendations to unearth your next read! No registration necessary.​​