Join us from June 1 through July 31!
Help Us Reach Our Community Goal of 12 Million Points Earned!
What is the Summer Reading program?
Every summer for more than eighty years, the Metropolitan Library System has offered a Summer Reading program to keep kids and their families reading all summer long. We believe reading is a fundamental skill and a gateway to success in life. Summer Reading is a community tradition that promotes reading for fun and lifelong enrichment. We create a motivational framework for learning for all ages during the summer.
Summer is Coming!
The Summer Slide isn’t a new feature at the local park or splash pad. No, the Summer Slide is what happens between school years when kids do not read or otherwise work to retain what they learned in school.
On average, children lose approximately two months of their reading achievement if they do not read during the summer. They typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of the summer than they did on the same test at the beginning of the summer. And these few months of reading loss accumulate over the years. By the time kids reach middle school, those who haven’t read during the summers may have lost as much as two years worth of achievement!
The good news is the Summer Slide can easily be prevented.
Reading for just 20 minutes a day, helps kids maintain the reading skills they developed during the school year. Not only will it help them stay on track when school starts back, but with reading they can experience a summer of adventure by stimulating their imaginations.
Signing up for the Summer Reading Program is the best way for your child to keep reading over the summer. Summer Reading starts June 1 and continues through July 31.
Have your children pick out their own books and take the books with them everywhere they go: road trips, the doctor’s office, grandma’s house. Listen to audiobooks at night or in the car. Listening to audiobooks or listening to someone read aloud benefits everyone. Reading aloud helps build vocabulary skils while listening builds vocabulary and listening comprehension skills, and also increases our knowledge.
Adults can model lifelong learning by participating in the program with their children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends. Help your children prevent the Summer Slide by reading 20 minutes a day this summer! Sign up, track your reading, and earn incentives.
Whether you visit relatives, enjoy a week at camp, or have a staycation at home, make summer even more fun by reading a little everyday!
More ways to beat the Summer Slide!
- Read every day. Read non-fiction, fiction, eBooks, poetry, or newspapers or read out loud for at least 20 minutes a day!
- Cook with your children. This is one of the best ways to integrate math, reading and following directions. Help your child put together their favorite recipes in a cookbook or let your child design the menu for a meal.
- Plant a garden. Your child will learn responsibility and take pride as they watch their plants grow and thrive.
- Take a field trip. Head out to a museum, zoo or local park with walking trails. Keep a journal about your travels.
- Learn a new word each week. Hang it on the fridge and see who can use it the most times throughout the week.
- Enroll in our summer reading program as it will provide your child with opportunities to build their critical thinking skills.
- Play quick games with flashcards like Math War or Concentration to keep math skills sharp.
- Listen to audiobooks during your summer road trip.
- Take pictures and make a summer scrapbook. Encourage your children to write narratives to accompany the pictures.
- Make time to read. We can't stress it enough: if your child does nothing else this summer, make sure they read!
Adapted from Stephanie Jefferson, founder of Little Scholars (www.littlescholars.com).
How Do I Participate?
Step 1: Sign In or Register for an Account on Beanstack
By visiting our online summer reading software you can login with your account information from previous years. If you are new to summer reading, you can create a login!
If you would like to be eligible for drawing prizes, please list your library card on your account when you sign up.
Step 2: Register for This Year's Program
After signing in and creating a Beanstack account, you will need to register for this year's Summer Reading program. If you do not register, you cannot log reading, earn badges and prizes, or be eligible for prize drawings. You must register each year to participate in the current Summer Reading program.
Step 3: Log Reading Minutes and Activities to Earn Badges and Prizes
• Receive prizes at 600 points.
• Continue logging to earn more points.
• Scroll down to learn more about this year's prizes
No Internet Access? No Problem
You can keep track of the time spent reading through a paper log or remembering which days they read and for how long. Visit with a library staff member to help enter information into his/her online log.
Get the Beanstack App
Upcoming Events
May the Fourth be with you! Star Wars day is coming up. Our big display case at Southern Oaks Library will be filled with Star Wars items for all to view! Rebel or Imperial, All are welcome to our library!
Have you heard of those subscription boxes where you pay to receive a personalized box of goodies every month? Well, this is just like that, except for free! And with library books!
Disclaimer(s)
We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens. Accordingly, the Library will not be liable for such harm to any individual resulting from such allergens.
We can only guarantee one kit per registration. Please register individually to ensure that kits are appropriately distributed. Special notes should not be used for additional registrations.
Thank you for your help!
Have you heard of those subscription boxes where you pay to receive a personalized box of goodies every month? Well, this is just like that, except for free! And with library books!
Disclaimer(s)
We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens. Accordingly, the Library will not be liable for such harm to any individual resulting from such allergens.
We can only guarantee one kit per registration. Please register individually to ensure that kits are appropriately distributed. Special notes should not be used for additional registrations.
Thank you for your help!
Do April showers really bring May flowers? Explore your creative side by creating your own tissue paper flower template with this take home kit.
Ages 3 and up.
Kits available while supplies last.
Disclaimer(s)
Warning: Kit contains small parts that could represent a choking hazard. It is not intended for children under 3. It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Bag.
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
When is the last time you took time to sit and breathe? Mindfulness is the practice of being present in a moment and taking a step back from our chaotic lives.
When is the last time you took time to sit and breathe? Mindfulness is the practice of being present in a moment and taking a step back from our chaotic lives.
When is the last time you took time to sit and breathe? Mindfulness is the practice of being present in a moment and taking a step back from our chaotic lives.
When is the last time you took time to sit and breathe? Mindfulness is the practice of being present in a moment and taking a step back from our chaotic lives.
Summer Reading Prizes
Log reading minutes and learning activities to earn badges and prizes.
- 5 Minutes = 5 Points
- 1 Reading Activity = 5 points
Receive prizes and badges when you earn 600 points.
Prizes for All Ages
- 600-point badge
- Completion certificate
- Your choice between:
- 2 children's books*
- 2 teen books*
- 1 adult book*
- or Metro Library tote bag*
- Entry in random gift drawing if library card is on Summer Reading account
Prize pickup begins in June. Visit your neighborhood library to learn how to select and redeem your prizes. The last day to pick up prizes is Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
Note: prize selection and availability vary by location.
*While supplies and selection last
July Prize Drawings
| Early Childhood | Children, Teens, & Adults | |
| Prize |
Early Literacy Play Set |
Wireless Headphones |
| Qualification Criteria |
|
|
| Number of Winners | 19 | 57 |
| Drawing Date | Monday, August 5, 2024 | Monday, August 5, 2024 |
Grand Prize Drawing
| Early Childhood | Children, Teens & Adults | |
| Prize |
Prize Pack including Play Set |
Apple iPad or iPad Pro with Apple Pencil |
| Qualification Criteria |
|
|
| Number of Winners | 1 | 3 |
| Drawing Date | Monday, August 5, 2024 | Monday, August 5, 2024 |
Read It Forward
We believe the library is the community's hub for critical thinking, creativity, and learning-- and reaching all members of our community is important to us.
This year, we have established a community goal of 12 million points. You help us reach our goal by reading and learning this summer and logging online or through a paper log! This year’s Read It Forward recipient is the Latino Community Development Agency.