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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 14, 2026 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 explore 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 the Champaign Public Library for presenting this guide. 

Join the Party! Summer Reading Challenge This year marks the Champaign Public Library’s 150th anniversary! Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge to win prize books and more! Log your reading online or download a pdf to print a reading log at home. Learn more about this year’s reading challenge at champaign.org/read.

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 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.

Prizes summer reading
Summer reading prizes (2025)

Urbana Free Library

Sign up began May 11. Summer Reading Program runs through July 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 23. Summer Reading Program runs through July 31.

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 bonus toy prize of your choice.

For Teens (sixth through 12th 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

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 8. Summer Reading Program runs through July 11. 

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! Enjoy a ton of various activities, collect your registration prize, and make sure you’re ready to go on the Beanstack App to log those reading minutes.


Rantoul Public Library

Summer Reading Program sign up begins June 6.
Visit its website for more information coming soon.


Allerton Public Library in Monticello

Summer Reading Program begins May 30
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.


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Click here for summer fun

Filed Under: Educational Fun, Featured Guide, Free Activities, News, Summer Activities 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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