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You are here: Home / Deals and Coupons / Free Activities / Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Reading Programs

Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Reading Programs

May 6, 2025 By From The Editors

Champaign-Urbana loves summer reading programs

 

Encouraging a love for reading is a beautiful thing, and we are fortunate to have so many reading programs to check out this summer in the Champaign-Urbana area

Keep your kids’ minds in motion during the hotter months with some great Champaign-Urbana area summer reading programs. We put together a list 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!

Summer Reading Programs - Champaign-Urbana

Chambanamoms thanks Champaign Public Library for presenting this list of summer reading opportunities. 

The Champaign Public Library inspires, informs, and connects our community! The library is a place to enjoy free family fun, books, and activities and is welcome to all.

Looking for free activities, books, and movies? The Champaign Public Library and Douglass Branch offer remarkable resources for families, including the “Oceans of Possibilities” Summer Reading Challenge!

For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram

Champaign Public Library Summer Reading Program

Champaign Public Library

Sign up begins May 15. Summer Reading Program runs through Aug. 15. Visit champaign.org/read for details.

Ready to read and win prizes? Sign up to be part of the Summer Reading Challenge for all ages. Everyone is welcome — infants, kids and teens!

For Kids (infants to fourth grade graduates)
Win prize books and more. You can log your reading in the Beanstack app or download a pdf and print out a log at home.

For Teens (middle and high school students)
Earn a prize every time you read for two hours. Prizes include coupons for sweet treats around town, prize books, Champaign Park District Passes, and more.

For Adults
Earn a reward every time you read for two hours. Track your reading online using the Beanstack app. The tickets you earn can be applied toward winning a Grand Prize Gift Basket (up to $325 value). You can earn additional tickets by attending library events and by completing the challenge. When you log your reading online, you’ll have a chance to earn 25+ tickets.

CPL Summer Reading Program prizes


Urbana Free Library

Sign up begins May 12. Summer Reading Program runs through Aug. 31.

This summer, make time to read the books you love and win prizes just for reading. Library patrons can sign up for reading programs and track their progress through the Beanstack app.

For Kids (up to entering sixth grade)
Track reading online with the Beanstack app or a paper reading log (available at the library). For every 600 minutes they read or are read to, children win a free book. Up to two books during the summer. For completed summer activities, children earn a fun prize from the treasure box.

For Teens (grades 6-12)
Track reading online with Beanstack or a paper reading log (available at the library). For every 600 minutes read, teens win a free book. Up to two books during the summer. For completed summer activities, teens earn a fun prize from the treasure box.

For Adults (post high school and up)
Track reading online with Beanstack. For every four books read, adults win a free book. Up to two books during the summer. For completed summer activities, adults earn a vinyl water bottle sticker.


Mahomet Public Library

Sign up begins May 21. Summer Reading Program runs through Aug. 1. 

This year there are three reading programs – kids, teens and adults.

For Kids (through fifth grade)

Use your reading log to track your minutes read and earn beads for your brag tag. Finish your whole log and receive a free book, Monical’s coupon, and star to put up on the wall in the children’s area. Earn stickers for your badge book full of bonus reading challenges. Complete all the challenges and get a water bottle or tote bag.

For Teens (sixth through ninth grade)

Use your reading log to track your minutes read. Get a raffle ticket for every hour you read. Finish your whole log and receive a free book and Monical’s coupon.

For Adults (10th grade and up)

For every 10 hours you read, fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win a gift card from a local business.

Make sure to ask how you can help the library earn community prizes, too.


St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library

Sign up begins June 9. Summer Reading Program runs through July 12. 

This is a five-week program; more details coming soon.


Tolono Public Library

Summer Reading Program begins May 31.

Get ready to embark on the adventure of the Summer Reading Program! As you “Level Up at the Library” this summer, get your brains firing with an escape room extravaganza to kick things off. Make sure you swing by the desk to sign up for the Summer Reading Program.


Rantoul Public Library

Summer Reading Program sign up coming soon
Visit its website for more information coming soon.


Allerton Public Library in Monticello

Summer Reading Program begins May 31
Register to be an Allerton Public Library Summer Reader.


Barnes & Noble

Kids in first through sixth grades can complete a reading journal and bring it into Barnes & Noble for a free book, redeemable July 1 through Aug. 31.


Summer reading programs we haven’t yet confirmed

The Literary

Summer Book Club

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Click here for summer fun

Filed Under: Educational Fun, Featured Guide, Free Activities, Summer Activities, Things To Do in CU Tagged With: Allerton Public Library, barnes and noble, book, Champaign Public Library, free books, Free books champaign urbana, Mahomet Public Library, reading, St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, summer activities, summer fun on a budget, summer reading, summer reading program, summer season, tolono public library, Urbana Free Library

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