Ocmulgee Regional Library System Announces Community Dino Hunt for Summer Reading Program

The Ocmulgee Regional Library System (ORLS) announced a “community dino hunt” to coincide with the Georgia Public Library Service’s 2026 summer reading program, running from May to July.

The theme for the 2026 Summer Reading Program is “Unearth a Story,” using dinosaurs as a general theme to encourage local community members of all ages to read over the summer months. 

To support the theme, the Ocmulgee Regional Library System organized a community scavenger hunt across six counties, including Wheeler, Telfair, Wilcox, Bleckley, Pulaski and Dodge, where participants must travel to local schools and businesses to take photos of dinosaurs.

Participants can take a photo of a dinosaur at any participating location and upload the photo to FaceBook, tagged with #orlsdinohunt. By doing so, participants will have the chance to win family passes donated by several local businesses, including Shamrock Bowling, Golden Ticket Cinemas, Houston Lakes Cinemas and Peachy Playtown. 

“The more dinosaur photos participants post, the more chances they have to win,” said ORLS Public Services Librarian Deliliah Carr.

According to Carr, the event is open to all age groups, and is intended to “help build excitement for Summer Reading [Program].”

Participating locations will include Wheeler County’s schools and SunMark Bank; Telfair County’s Ryals Drugs, Smith’s Pharmacy, Telfair County Elementary School and Joiner Creek Nursery; Wilcox County’s schools and Half Moon Brew; Bleckley County’s The Mule Barn; Pulaski County’s elementary school, Little Children Growing, Jo’s Pizza and Yummy Jo’s; and Dodge County’s elementary school, primary school, Scoops and Brews and Eastman Bake Shop.

The hunt will last from May 8 to June 26, with winners announced the week following June 26.

For the Wheeler County Public Library, the Summer Reading Program will see several events inside the library scheduled throughout June and July, such as magic shows, storytimes and science lessons. The library will also hold a summer reading kick off party on May 26 at 3 p.m., where attendees can sign up for summer reading and engage in games and activities.

“These events are a great opportunity for families to register for Summer Reading, receive a bag of goodies and start their summer reading journey with us,” said Carr. “We have tons of exciting activities planned for all ages.”

For summer reading, participants can read books and check in with the library each week to receive prizes. Top readers will receive recognition and may win extra prizes, such as an e-reader.

According to Carr, several Ocmulgee libraries will also serve as summer feeding sites as well. The Wheeler County Library will partner with The Black Lotus Project to offer take-out groceries every Monday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., beginning on May 25.