Pasadena families who haven't signed up for the library's free Summer Reading Program can still catch six performances and an end-of-summer bash before the program closes Saturday, August 1.

The program, themed "On the Road to Reading" in honor of Route 66's centennial year, is open at all 10 branch libraries. Children, teens, and adults can register online at Pasadena.Beanstack.com or in person at any branch. Participants complete BINGO cards and trace a Route 66 attractions map as they read.

The theme carries local resonance: Colorado Boulevard is part of the historic Route 66 corridor through Pasadena, and the highway's western terminus in Santa Monica sits just miles away.

Six performances remain on the schedule:

  • Thursday, July 2, 10 a.m. — Party Puppets with Mr. Markus, La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave. (ages 3–12)
  • Thursday, July 16, 10 a.m. — Bubblemania, Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St. (ages 5–12)
  • Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m. — Brillantina Puppet Theater (bilingual Spanish/English), Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd. (ages 3–5)
  • Thursday, July 23, 10 a.m. — Dino Discovery: Route 66 Adventure, La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave. (ages 2–12)
  • Saturday, July 25, 11 a.m. — Zany Zoë Magic, Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave. (ages 5–12)
  • Thursday, July 30, 10:30 a.m. — Up, Up, and Away with Mad Science of Los Angeles, Linda Vista Branch Library, 1281 Bryant St. (ages 5–12)

The program wraps with an End of Summer Bash on Saturday, August 1, at 11 a.m. at Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St. The closing party features games, a Ballet Folklórico performance, prize redemption, and refreshments for ages 3–19. August 1 is the last day to redeem reading club prizes.

The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library, a nonprofit founded in 1975, sponsors the program. The Central Library is closed for seismic retrofit work, but all 10 branches are participating.

For questions, call the City Service Center at (626) 744-7311, Monday through Friday during business hours.