Mysteries are everywhere this summer waiting for Berwyn residents to step forward and solve them. Mysterious movies, crafts for sleuths, puzzling picnics and an evening of intrigue and adventure all await children at the Berwyn Public Library during the hot days of July and August.

“We had the mystery theme last summer and it seemed to be a big hit so we decided to do it again this year,” said Kristy Gilbert, youth services librarian of the Berwyn branch located at 2701 S. Harlem Ave.

Registration is in full swing for the “Whodunit @ Your Library: An Overnight Adventure” which is scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. Friday, July 13, in the library. The night of adventure will end at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 14.

Open to children ages 17 and younger, children who just finished fifth grade and younger must have a parent stay with them overnight. Children who just finished sixth grade through high school can stay alone but must have a signed permission form.

“We decided to do this because it’s Friday the 13th,” Gilbert explained. “The whole main floor will be open and there will be a scavenger hunt in the library, the kids will design their own puzzle, there will be a fingerprint workshop where then can take and compare fingerprints and learn how to dust for fingerprints just like a real detective.”

“All the events will take place between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and children can bring a sleeping bag, pillow and pajamas if they plan to sleep. We will have a quiet room for younger kids with movies playing all night long. We will show “Monster House,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Haunted Mansion,” “Caspar” and “Wallace and Grommit.”

In addition to the mystery-themed games, activities, crafts and movies, snacks will be served all night long. Registration is limited.

Children enrolled in the summer reading program can watch Scooby-Doo cartoons and enjoy as many root beer floats as they can handle at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 19 in the Community Room of the library.

This event is open to children who just finished first grade to those who recently finished fifth grade and are enrolled in the summer program. They will be charged five book bucks to attend. Book bucks are available by reading a certain number of books depending on age, according to Gilbert.

“A Puzzling Picnic" will be held for the younger children, those who just finished kindergarten and under, who are enrolled in the summer reading program.

“They are going to make a spyglass craft, play mystery-themed games and have a picnic lunch,” Gilbert said of the picnic which will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 23. Participants will be charged five book bucks for this event as well and registration is needed.

Young adults can enjoy a number of movies in the air-conditioned comfort of the library every Monday afternoon. Beginning July 2 PG-13 movies will be shown to children ages 13 through 17 years of age. Registration is necessary and ends two days prior to any movie.

The first movie will be “Ocean’s Twelve” which will be shown July 2; “The Skeleton Key” will air July 9; “The Illusionist” will be on July 16; and “Aeon Flux” will be shown July 23. Popcorn and juice will be served during each movie.
Another event for teens and pre-teens is the Dance Dance Revolution video game tournament which will begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 6, in the Community Room. Registration is necessary to attend this event. Prizes will be awarded.

“Mayhem and Mysteries” is the title of yet another young adult event. This one, scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, will be held in the Community Room of the library and is open to all young adults enrolled in the summer reading program. Five book bucks will be charged for the event which will feature free pizza. Make sure to register so there is enough pizza available.

Children 2 and 3 years old will be taught a variety of stationary and locomotive movement concepts by dance instructor Heather Overbeck at noon Tuesday, July 24, in the Community Room. Children ages 4 and 5 can attend a 2:30 p.m. session that day.

Overbeck, who recently opened a dance studio in the area, will explore dance concepts through song, story and imagery during the 30-minute classes.

Registration is necessary for the dance classes.

Two fun-filled events will wrap up the summer reading program at the Berwyn Library. The first is a Haunted Trails Pizza Party which will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at Haunted Trails located at 79th Street and Harlem Avenue in Chicago.

“We have been doing this for several years and the kids really like it,” Gilbert explained. “We provide two slices of pizza and a drink for the summer reading participants who have met their reading goal. And if the kids want to play golf or some of the games afterward they pay on their own.”

Additional children or adults who want to eat pizza are welcome but will be charged $2 each.

Registration for the pizza party will end Monday, Aug. 6.

The final summer event will be the Summer Reading Pool Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, in the Pavek Pool, 6501 W. 31st St. in Berwyn.

“We rent out the rec center pool and any child who has met his/her reading goal for the summer and their families can come,” Gilbert said. “They also can bring their own food for a picnic in the picnic area.”

Registration for the pool party ends Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Registration for all events and more information is available at the library or by calling (708) 795-8000.