Champaign-Urbana loves summer reading programs
Keep your kids’ minds in motion during the hotter months with some great Champaign-Urbana area summer reading programs. We put together a roundup of as many of them as we could find, and please, if we’ve forgotten one, let us know.
Summer reading has no age limit. There are programs for kids of all ages, as well as grown-ups. In fact, what a great way to model to your children the importance of reading!
Ready to read? The Champaign Public Library and Douglass Branch have started their all-ages Explore More! Summer Reading Challenge early this year. Everyone can win prize books and more — sign up and get prize details at champaign.org/read.
While library doors are closed, staff experts are available to help your family — with school at home, genealogy research using Ancestry, or finding kid-friendly ebooks and movies to enjoy using TumbleBooks or Kanopy Kids. You can get your questions answered via Live Chat (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.), by email (opens in new tab), or when you Book-a-Librarian.
Want to see a round-up of the library’s free and amazing online resources especially for families? Check out champaign.org/amazing.Follow the library on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter now.
Champaign Public Library
Sign up is open. Summer Reading Program runs through Aug. 31, 2020
For Kids {infants to fourth grade graduates}
Each time you read, log the number of minutes on the new Beanstack app. Prizes include free books and an Explore More! dinosaur wallet.
For Teens {middle and high school students}
Prizes include books, coupons and a 20-Hour Reading Club backpack.
For Adults
Why should kids have all the fun? Adults can win grand prize gift baskets with cooking, gardening and technology gift cards and other prizes from local businesses.
Champaign Public Library open for curbside service
Urbana Free Library
Summer Reading Program sign up is open
Register online. This summer, make time to read the books you love and win prizes just for reading.
Summer Reading Program Begins June 6
The annual Summer Reading Program kickoff this year will happen virtually on Facebook Live from 1-1:45 p.m. The program runs June 6 through July 18 and for the first time will include programs for all ages (children through age 12; teens ages 13-17; and adults 18-plus). Read for some fabulous prizes!
St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library
Summer Reading Program Runs June 8-July 6
Log sheets are available on the website, Facebook page and through curbside pickup at the library. Log sheets will be turned in Aug. 1-31. Prizes will be awarded for the level completed.
Mahomet Public Library
Summer Reading Program Runs June 1-July 31
Each participant is invited to fill out a bingo sheet of reading activities. Every bingo you complete will earn you a bead for your brag tag and a raffle ticket for the end-of-summer prize drawings.
Rantoul Public Library
Summer Reading Program Runs June 15-August 1
Each week, there will be a new bingo sheet and activity calendar to go with the theme of the week. Complete a bingo sheet to earn a prize for that week. Activity pickup hours are 2-4 p.m. on Monday and 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, weekly. More info here on their website.
Allerton Public Library in Monticello
Summer Reading Program Begins May 18
Register now to be an Allerton Public Library Summer Reader. The program runs May 18 through July 10. Prizes for all age groups will be mailed as reading milestones are attained. Complete details are here.
Barnes & Noble
Kids in grades 1-6 can earn a free book this summer! Download this reading journal and fill it in.