May 30 – July 31, 2026
Camp Read is coming soon to a Library location near you. Check this page for updates.
How to Get Started
Begin your Summer Reading adventure at any of the Library's 41 locations through July 31! Enjoy new challenges for kids and teens, awesome events, and family-friendly fun all summer long. Summer Reading kicks off May 30!
Kids and teens receive these free items when they join:
- Summer Reading challenge sheet
- Book of your choice to keep
- Cincinnati Reds voucher for two view-level tickets (while supplies last)
- Raising Cane's coupon (while supplies last)
- First Camp Badge
Kids 25-Day Challenge
Ages 12 and Under
Color in the tracker for each day you read for 20 minutes or do a fun activity.
Remember: Fill in only one section per day!
Return your completed tracker to any Library location by July 31 to earn a prize.
Teen 15-Day Challenge
Ages 13-18
Choose an activity and write, journal, or decorate one section per day however you want.
Complete all 15 sections and then return to any Library location by July 31 to earn a prize.
Read to Collect Prizes
Every kid or teen who signs up for Summer Reading receives a free book! Books in Spanish for young kids are also available by request. Kids can turn in completed 25-Day Challenges starting June 23 for a prize. Teens can turn in their completed 15-Day Challenge starting June 13.
Visit any Library location to collect one of these prize options:
- Drawstring bag
- Literary trading cards
- Wrist disc flyer
- Pop-it ball
- Doodle journal
Want to keep going? Return the initial 25-Day Challenge or 15-Day Challenge to any Library location by July 16 to receive a bonus challenge. Completed bonus challenges earn an additional prize! Limit one bonus challenge per child.
Camp Badges
Looking for an additional challenge?
Stop by any Library location and ask about Camp Badges. Collect them all!
- Camp Read – Sign up for Summer Reading!
- Bookworm – Read for a total of 1 hour.
- Adventurer – Attend a Library program.
- Campfire Stories – Tell a friend your favorite story.
- Creature Researcher – Learn about a new creature by exploring the outdoors or reading a book.
- Artist – Draw your favorite Library memory and show it off to Library staff.
- Historian – Celebrate America 250! Learn about an influential figure of American history who inspires you.
- Helper – Help a friend, family member, or Library staff complete a task.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Five Goals of Summer
Summer Reading returns year after year to encourage kids and teens to get lost in a book, spend time at their favorite Library locations (or explore a new one), and strengthen their literacy skills—all while having fun!
Read on for five goals of this year's program:
- Keep kids and teens engaged with learning over the summer by giving them the chance to practice their reading skills.
- Connecting kids and teens to the Library and our wonderful staff, resources, collection, and services.
- Put books in the hands of youth! Kids and teens who sign up for Summer Reading can pick out a book to keep.
- Encouraging creativity, discovery, and exploration! Along with reading, kids and teens can track related activities like attending a library event, making art, taking a walk in their neighborhood, and more.
- Have fun!