Get Ready for Summer Reading: 8 Days Until the Launch!
- Rachel
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Each summer, the library transforms into a bustling hub of activity. Why, you ask? From May 31st to July 31st, the Summer Reading program kicks off! Participate in events and borrow books to earn small rewards and tickets for our major grand prizes as you complete your reading journey. Are you ready? Summer Reading is coming!
So What Is Summer Reading?
The library offers the Summer Reading program to all community members. Simply visit, select your reading path, pick up some books, and start reading. This year's reading paths include Pencils (one book per circle), Crayons (30 minutes per circle), and Paintbrushes (one hour per circle). Choose a path that presents a rewarding challenge for you and begin. Although having a library card to borrow books, magazines, graphic novels, manga, and audiobooks can help you achieve your Summer Reading goals, here's a secret: you don't even need a library card! Anyone from birth to over 100 can register, and it's all COMPLETELY FREE! If you'd like to get a library card when you sign up for Summer Reading, just bring your photo ID with your current address, and we'll handle the rest!
I'm Ready! When Is The Summer Reading Kick-off?
Now that you're familiar with what Summer Reading looks like, let's discuss our Summer Reading Kick-off! Join us on the library lawn on Saturday, May 31st, anytime between 9 AM and 1 PM for the kick-off party! We'll have inflatables, lawn games, and face painting to celebrate our theme, Color Our World! Bring your swimsuit if you want to enjoy some water fun! And, of course, don't miss the chance to be among the first to sign up for Summer Reading!
What About Programs?
Emphasizing the arts, the library has planned a variety of free programs to help you Color Our World! Family activities will feature a dance party, a messy art day, a bubble wonderland, and the chance to create your own superhero capes. Youth (ages 8-12) can participate in the Youth Art Series, which highlights various famous artists from Picasso to Seurat. Teens (ages 12-18) can enjoy rock painting, a colorful square walking tour, and decorating their own library tote bag. For adults (18+), we offer Summer Rhythms Dance Classes, a summer concert on the lawn, an open craft Saturday in June and July, and a paint and pose class.
And that's not all! We'll also welcome visits from the Reptiles of IL, Scovill Mobile Zoo, and Heartland Mini Hoofs. Additionally, there will be programs on herbs, methods to protect your body from harmful germs on your hands, and an engaging presentation on Singing Bird and the Role of Native American Women in Illinois History by an Illinois Humanities Speaker.
Wait, there is more! Our regular programs will carry on during the summer as well. Storytimes will be held on Wednesdays (Toddler Time) and Fridays (Preschool Pals) at 10 AM. After Storytime, join other children and caregivers for our new Stay and Play program, featuring fun playtime on the Children's floor with special toys. The Family Lego Club (Ages 3-5 & Caregivers) will take place every Tuesday from 5-6 PM, and the Youth Lego Club (Ages 8-12) will meet every Wednesday from 5-6 PM. Magic The Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, and Pokémon Hang will also continue to meet throughout the summer.
Summer could be a perfect opportunity to participate in one of our adult book clubs. We provide the book for you to borrow, which you can pick up and read at your convenience, then join us at the library for a discussion! The library hosts a General Fiction/Non-Fiction book club and a Sci-Fi/Fantasy book club. For more information, check out our Book Club Page on our website.
Feeling exhausted even before summer kicks off? Is the thought of summer causing you stress? Emily, our Adult Program Coordinator, has a solution for you! At the start of each month, stop by and grab one of our monthly Grab 'n Goes. Emily has assembled Mini Art Kits and Mini Self-Care Kits to help you unwind and find some relaxation time this summer. These kits include items like air-dry clay, mini canvases, mini paints, paintbrushes, washi tape, paper journals, and an idea sheet to spark your creativity!
Please remember that several programs require advance registration. Check out our Upcoming Events Page on our website for a complete list of programs and registration information!
Did You Mention Prizes? Let Me Hear About Them!
Of course we have prizes! For every row of circles you finish, you'll get the chance to select from the treasure boxes (or opt for an additional ticket for the Grand Prize drawing), and you'll also earn a Grand Prize ticket for a chance to win one of our grand prizes! Emily and Melissa have been receiving numerous boxes of treasure box prizes that you can pick from as you complete each row on your reading path.
As you finish your row of circles, you also earn a ticket to enter the Grand Prize drawings! With 22 Grand Prizes available this year, including Lego sets, a water table, a movie bucket, Beats headphones, and a GIANT Pikachu Squishmallow, there's a Grand Prize to interest everyone! Additionally, due to popular demand, we have Experience Grand Prizes again this year! Spend a day as a firefighter: visit the fire station, explore the fire truck, and discover what it takes to be a real firefighter. Or, if fighting crime appeals to you, shadow a police officer: check out the police car, visit the station, and learn what it takes to be a real police officer! If you love reading, become a librarian for a day: shelve books, assist patrons, and learn the ins and outs of being a librarian. To view all the prizes, stop by and explore the Grand Prize Table on the main floor of the library!
Listen to Melissa (Youth Services Coordinator) and
Emily (Adult Program Coordinator) discuss everything about
Summer Reading in this informative
One Final Note:
A Heartfelt Thank You To Our Sponsors!
A significant part of what makes Summer Reading so incredible is the backing from our community sponsors. Numerous donated prizes and monetary contributions enable all the prizes and programs for Summer Reading. This year, we would like to extend a special thank you to:
Casey's, Friends of the Library, Young Dance Inc, Clinton YMCA, Dairy Queen, Sorrento's Pizza, Hammer Strength & Fitness, Heartland Bank, Jimmy John's, Clinton Ace Hardware, McDonald's, Calvert Funeral Home, Monical's Pizza, Kirby Foods, J Squared Aquatics, Hale Mechanical, Snappers, Clintonia Eagle, Subway, Sweet Maes, Taylor Abstract Company, and Clinton Family Dental.
Once again, Summer Reading wouldn't be what it is today without the incredible support from our community! Thank you for believing in the significance of Summer Reading! You are all a blessing not just to our library, but to our entire community!
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