Our summertime outdoor reading series, Stories in the Park, has two new additions this year!

First, we added a third location. This summer, Stories in the Park will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the following parks:

Mondays at Willow Creek Park, 117 Teg Dr.

Wednesdays at Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Dr.

Fridays at Mercer Park, 2701 Bradford Dr.

Our second new addition? The Library’s new Bookmobile will be present at all Stories in the Park dates!

Children, parents and caregivers should remember to bring their Library Card in order to check out books and DVDs from the Bookmobile. Anyone who doesn’t have a Library Card can sign up at icpl.org/cards. Bookmobile staff also can issue new Library Cards.

In the event of rain, the Monday and Wednesday storytimes will be held at the Library and the Friday storytimes will be cancelled. However, the Bookmobile will still travel to the parks, rain or shine, so visitors can check out items.

Stories in the Park is an outdoor storytime geared toward children between the ages of three and six. All children in attendance need to be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver. Here are some of the upcoming programs we have planned:

Friday, June 9: African Drumming with Fonziba

Fonziba Koster has traveled to West Africa to learn more about drumming. Now she shares her love and knowledge of music with children.

Week of June 12 through June 16: Dog Storytime with Clifford

It’s Take Your Dog to Work Week, so we’re bringing Clifford, the Big, Red Dog to all Stories in the Park stops this week. Be sure to bring your dog, too!

Wednesday, June 21: Summer Storytime with the 100 Grannies

Celebrate the first day of summer with the 100 Grannies! The Grannies are passionate about protecting the Earth and enjoying every season to its fullest.

For more Stories in the Park information, visit our calendar.

The 2017 season begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Court Hill Park, 2825 Friendship Street. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy live music by Old Capitol String Band. The Bookmobile will join this year’s lineup of games, arts and crafts, and frozen treats.

Party in the Park is a free event sponsored by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department and the Neighborhood Outreach Division.

Come and enjoy the summer evenings outdoors with friends and family while exploring the City’s beautiful natural spaces and neighborhoods.

2017 Party in the Park events:

June 8: Court Hill Park — 2825 Friendship Street

Entertainment: Old Capitol String Band

June 15: Kiwanis Park — 1519 Teg Dr.

Entertainment: Marc and Brandi Janssen; Eulenspiegel Puppet Theater performance at 5:30 p.m.

June 22: N. Market Square Park — 600 Fairchild Street

Entertainment: Nancita Wernett; Eulenspiegel Puppet Theater performance at 5:30 p.m.

June 29: Oak Grove Park — 700 Page Street

Entertainment: Ace Jones

July 6: Creekside Park — 1858 7th Avenue Court

Entertainment: Mike Haverkamp

July 13: Reno Street Park — 516 Reno St.

Entertainment: Pennies on the Rail; Eulenspiegel Puppet Theater performance at 5:30 p.m.

July 20: Mercer Park — 1317 Dover Street

Entertainment: Kathy Maxey & Larry Mossman

July 27: Glendale Park — 1250 E. Jefferson Street

Entertainment: Yahoo Drummers

August 3: Wetherby Park — 700 Page Street

Entertainment: Suzanne Wedeking; Eulenspiegel Puppet Theater performance at 5:30 p.m.

August 10: S. Hickory Hill Park — 1439 E. Bloomington Street

Entertainment: The Fritters

August 17: College Green Park — 600 College Street

Entertainment: Mitch McAndrew

August 24: Brookland Park — 550 Greenwood Drive

Entertainment: Bob and Kristie Black

Last month, Bookmobile staff made several special stops around Iowa City to introduce the Bookmobile to the community. We visited retirement communities, community clubs and groups, and area schools. The response to our new service has been extremely positive, with comments ranging from "This is my new favorite thing" to "I wish I could live in the Bookmobile."

Our favorite comment, though, came during a school visit in which a student remarked, "It's like the Batmobile ... but it's a Bookmobile!"

We think Batman would approve.

Our Summer Reading Program started on June 1, but there's still plenty of time to sign up and join the fun. Even better, you can sign up during a visit to the Bookmobile!

Participation in the 2017 Summer Reading Program, Build A Better World, is free and available for all ages, babies through adults. All registrants will receive a game card to track their progress in meeting summer reading goals.

The game card for babies and toddlers promotes early childhood literacy skills, with prizes awarded at two levels: a bath toy at the first level, and a free book and entry into the grand prize drawing – a $50 gift card to Prairie Lights -- at the second level.

The pre-school through sixth-grade game card has three levels of prizes. The first is a collection of food and activity coupons from McDonald’s, Aspen Leaf Free Frozen Yogurt, the Iowa Children’s Museum, Blank Park Zoo, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department, Bruegger's Bagels, Pizza Ranch, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Westdale Bowling Center. The second is a T-shirt. The third is a free book and an entry into the grand prize drawing for a LEGO building set.

Both Teen and Adult Summer Reading Program participants complete the program when they read five books, or read three books and attend two programs. Teens who complete the program will receive a free book and a food coupon from Z’Mariks Noodle Café, and be entered into the grand prize drawing for one of four $50 Downtown Iowa City gift cards. Adults who complete their game card will receive a free book and be entered into the grand prize drawing for one of four $50 Downtown Iowa City gift cards.