Anythink Libraries Invites Community to Grow During mySummer 2026

Free Summer-Long Initiative Offers New Ways to Learn, Explore and Branch Out for All Ages

THORNTON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anythink Libraries, Adams County’s public library system, announces the return of mySummer, its annual summer-long initiative designed to spark curiosity, creativity and connection across the community.

Running from June 1 through July 31, mySummer 2026 invites children, teens and adults to grow through a wide range of free, hands-on programs, inspiring events and nature-infused experiences offered across all seven Anythink locations.

Rooted in this year’s theme, “Grow,” the initiative encourages participants to explore new interests, build skills and branch out in ways that feel meaningful and accessible.

“We believe curiosity is the starting point for lifelong learning,” said Mark Fink, executive director of Anythink Libraries. “mySummer is designed to give people the space to grow, try something new and connect with others in ways that are both engaging and fun.”

As schools break for summer, mySummer provides no-cost enrichment opportunities that help keep curious minds active and engaged all season long.

Pre-registration for mySummer is open now through May 24, giving participants early access to limited-edition mySummer folders and the opportunity to select free tickets to local attractions, including the Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Botanic Gardens or Denver Zoo, while supplies last. Those who preregister can pick up their mySummer materials at all Anythink branches starting May 26.

Programming begins in-person across all Anythink locations starting June 1 and continues throughout June and July with experiences designed for all ages and interests.

Throughout June and July, Anythink branches will offer engaging programs at all branches, including:

• All ages:
  • Garden Adventures with Denver Botanic Gardens: Bring the world of plants to life using your senses to explore their different colors, textures, shapes and smells.
  • Magic in Bloom with Erica Sodos
• Children under 5:
  • Baby Birds Grow with Bird Conservatory: Tweet, build and imagine with the Bird Conservatory. Children will explore real nests and replica bird eggs, enjoy a read-aloud story and act out the life cycle of a bird. Participants will also create their very own nest to take home.
  • Grow through Yoga
  • Dandelion Arts – Moving Bodies, Growing Bodies
  • Dandelion Arts – Dancing Gardens
  • Meet Stuffee from the Children's Museum
  • Make a Watch Me Grow Chart with Board & Brush
• Children under 6:
  • Meet Animals with Spurs Academy: Come say hello to some adorable farm animals from Spurs Academy! In this gentle, hands-on experience, little ones will meet a variety of animals — sometimes bigger friends like donkeys and sometimes smaller ones like guinea pigs and rabbits.
  • Colors Grow with Lauren Fine
  • Itsy Bitsy Bugs with the Butterfly Pavilion
• Children ages 5-12:
  • Exploration Sessions with the Butterfly Pavilion: Drop in and discover the wonders of invertebrate lifecycles through self-paced exploration stations that include specimens, crafts, games and more with this traveling exhibit from the Butterfly Pavilion.
  • Weave & Grow: Textile Bookmark Making
• Teens Ages 13-17:
  • Grow Your Story — Art with Mexica Day Signs: Learn about the Tōnalpōhualli, the Aztec count of days, and create artistic compositions using stamps of the Mexica Day signs, the 20 sacred glyphs from the Aztec calendar (Tōnalpōhualli). Match a day that is special to you to the Tōnalpōhualli, and see what it reveals about your own story and identity.
• Adults 18+:
  • Living Moss Pictures with Sacred Science Collective: Learn about breathwork and meditation with the Sacred Science Collective. This program is an introduction to breathwork and grounding meditation techniques designed to help you settle into your body and sense of self. It will include a crafting session to help clear your mind and enhance your creativity by making a Living Moss Picture with natural elements. This project will teach you how to connect with nature and find resilience, strength and growth through it.

In addition to districtwide programming, each Anythink branch will host localized experiences throughout the summer, including outdoor obstacle courses, animal visits, survival skills workshops, gardening programs and hands-on arts activities.

“Since launching mySummer in 2010, we’ve continued to expand how learning shows up beyond traditional spaces,” Fink said. “Programs like this create opportunities for people to grow individually while strengthening connections across the community.”

Community members can preregister through May 24. After May 26, participants can register online or in person at any Anythink location. Library cards are not required to participate in mySummer programs.

Following the mySummer programming, Anythink Libraries will open the Anythink Nature Library this August. The first-of-its-kind 33,000-square-foot library, and Anythink’s eighth branch, will blend indoor and outdoor experiences designed to help the community explore nature, develop environmental stewardship and build deeper connections with the natural world. This experience-driven space will invite visitors of all ages to explore their connection to nature through welcoming environments, hands-on TryIts and guidance from knowledgeable experts within a community hub designed for learning, reflection and discovery.

For more information and a full calendar of events, visit anythinklibraries.org/mysummer.

About Anythink Libraries

Anythink, an award-winning public library system, serves the residents of Adams County, Colorado via its seven branches, a bookmobile and an upcoming Nature Library and Express Library in Reunion. With a mission to “Open Doors for Curious Minds,” Anythink is a catalyst for innovation and provides comfortable spaces, accessible resources and hands-on programming for all ages. Guided by values of creativity, optimism, compassion and lifelong learning, the library system is committed to representing the diversity of Adams County and creating a sense of belonging for everyone. Anythink’s digital resources are available 24/7—including Anythink World, the library's custom virtual experience platform in the metaverse. The library’s customer experience also extends to specialty spaces and hands-on programs like The Studio, the Nature Library and mySummer. Whether you're exploring a new topic or mastering a skill, discover something new at Anythink. Learn more: anythinklibraries.org.

About mySummer

As an experience library, Anythink introduced mySummer in 2010 as a way for people of all ages—babies, kids, teens, adults—to let curiosity be their guide during the summer months. We encourage everyone to READ books that inspire, to THINK about new topics and questions and to DO all of the hands-on activities that help them experience the world around us. Programs like mySummer help close opportunity gaps by providing high quality, hands-on learning experiences to students of all ages and backgrounds.