Coloring Outside the Lines
Prince George’s County Library Kicks Off a Summer of Learning and Joy
This summer, Prince George’s County is about to get a whole lot brighter—literally and figuratively.. Starting Monday, June 23, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is launching Summer Prince George’s 2025, a vibrant, countywide celebration of creativity, curiosity, and community connection. With this year’s theme, “Color Our World,” the library is setting the stage for a season packed with hands-on art, learning activities, and events that bring people of all ages together. The initiative is co-presented with the Washington Nationals and the PGCMLS Foundation.
At the heart of Summer Prince George’s is a simple but powerful mission: keep minds active and imaginations alive. For Rachel Zukowski, PGCMLS’s Program Services Manager, that mission is especially important for young learners. “Continuing to read and learn during the summer months is key to avoiding the ‘summer slide,’” Zukowski said. “But more than that, these kickoff events are about building community and setting the tone for lifelong discovery.”
And build community they will. From June 23 through June 28, all 19 PGCMLS branches will host family-friendly kickoff events, each one tailored to reflect the library’s unique character and the talents of its surrounding neighborhood.
Love getting creative? Head to Mount Rainier Branch for a water coloring workshop, or Baden Branch for a mud painting experience. Budding scientists can dive into the “STEM-tastic: Animal Tracks” program at Greenbelt, while kids who love big wheels will love “Truck-a-Palooza” at Surratts-Clinton. Other highlights include a “Sip & Paint” at Largo-Kettering, a scavenger hunt for art supplies at Hillcrest Heights, and even roller skating at Fairmount Heights.
But this summer adventure isn’t just for kids. PGCMLS has built in plenty of offerings for adults and teens too. The beloved Book Crawl series returns, bringing library-led bingo, trivia, and an “After Hours Book Fair” to local hot spots like Pizzeria Paradiso, miXt Food Hall, and New Deal Cafe.
literary tradition with modern creativity to reach a wide and diverse audience.
Laurel resident and mother of two, Denise Harper, is especially excited for the mix of fun and learning. “My kids are so pumped to earn prizes just for reading and doing art. And I love that we can all participate together. It’s more than just library time—it’s family time.”
And while the kickoff events will span one exciting week, Summer Prince George’s 2025 will continue throughout the season with reading challenges, themed programming, and community engagement opportunities aimed at making learning both joyful and accessible.
Whether you’re 5 or 55, the message is clear: Your library is here for you—not just as a place to borrow books, but as a place to dream, grow, and connect.
Join the fun and explore the full schedule of kickoff events, prizes, and summer programs at:
🌐 pgcmls.info/summer
