Help us beat last year's point total by logging your reading from June 1 - July 31!
What is the Summer Reading program?
Every summer for more than ninety 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.
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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!
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.
Use the Beanstack app or website to log your minutes and activities. At 600 points you'll receive a completion prize and be entered into a prize drawing! If you keep reading and log more than 600 minutes you'll receive more entries into the prize drawings.
No Internet Access? No Problem! You can keep track of the time spent reading through a paper log (available for download in English and Spanish) or remembering which days they read and for how long. Visit with a library staff member to help enter information into your online log.
Summer Reading Prizes
Earn points by reading or completing activities. For every five (5) minutes read, you'll receive five (5) points and for every activity completed you'll receive five (5) points. You'll receive prizes and badges when you earn 600 points.
The prizes available for all ages are:
- 600 point badge
- Completion certificate
- Your choice between:
- 2 children's books* OR
- 2 teen books* OR
- 1 adult book* OR
- Metro Library tote bag*
- Entry in random gift drawing, if library card is on Summer Reading account
*While supplies and selection last.
END OF SUMMER READING DRAWING PRIZE DETAILS
- Prize: Early Literacy Play Set
- How to Qualify: Library card in good standing and connected to the Beanstack account; Earned a 600 point badge by July 31
- Number of Winners: 19
- Drawing Date: Monday, August 4
- Prize: Wireless Headphones
- How to Qualify: Library card in good standing and connected to the Beanstack account; Earned a 600 point badge by July 31
- Number of Winners: 57
- Drawing Date: Monday, August 4
END OF SUMMER READING GRAND DRAWING PRIZE DETAILS
- Prize: Prize Pack including Early Literacy Play Set
- How to Qualify: Library card in good standing and connected to the Beanstack account; Earned a 600 point badge by July 31
- Number of Winners: 1
- Drawing Date: Monday, August 4
- Prize: Apple iPad or iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
- How to Qualify: Library card in good standing and connected to the Beanstack account; Earned a 600 point badge by July 31
- Number of Winners: 3 (one in each category)
- Drawing Date: Monday, August 4
Upcoming Events
Have you ever wanted to design a flag? Have you ever wondered what symbols and colors mean on some of your favorite flags? Wave on into Ralph Ellison library and pick up a design your own flag take home kit.
Learn about Colors Take Home Kit
Grab this fun coloring take-home kit and help your child explore different colors to color their world! The kit includes crayons for endless creative fun!
Disclaimer(s)
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
🎉 Stop by Ralph Ellison Library and grab a fun, Pokémon-themed pompom kit! 🧶✨ Each kit comes with everything you need—except scissors! It's first come, first served, so hurry in before they’re gone! 🏃♀️💨
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.
We can only guarantee one kit per household and per registration (if required).
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
Come join Ralph Ellison Library for some summer fun! 🌞🎉
Participate in our Scavenger Hunt all month long in June and earn a fun, themed eraser* as a reward! 🖊️🔍
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.
Step into a living display of transformation! Visit our side-by-side tanks all summer long as we explore the beauty of nature and color in motion. One tank features tiny caterpillars growing and changing into vibrant butterflies.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Be Advised: This program may be photographed and/or videotaped for publicity purposes.
By Attending, you consent: To the use of your voice and likeness in future publicity uses that contain content from this event. If you do not wish to be on camera, please let us know.
For more information visit our Photography & Video Disclaimer
We're celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ artists in the month of June! Enjoy our exhibition from local artists and creators on display in Philomathea Hall.
Submit your art by May 3: tinyurl.com/LGBTQArtShowForm
Downloads & Printables
Need a timed reading log? Or looking to share that you're participating in Summer Reading on social media? We've got all the things you need below! Click on the image to open the file or image to download.
Reading Logs
Activity Logs
Social Media Graphics
Facebook and X Graphics
English
Spanish
Instagram Graphics
English
Spanish
