May 31 – July 31, 2025
All aboard for the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library's Summer Reading program!
Kids and teens can earn prizes by reading and having fun all summer long!
How to Get Started
Begin your Summer Reading adventure at any of the Library's 41 library 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 31!
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)
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 and teens can turn in their completed 25-Day Challenge or Bingo Challenge any time between June 24-July 31 for a prize!
Visit any Library location to collect one of these prize options:
- Pop-it ball
- Vinyl sticker sheet
- Sunglasses
- Sidewalk Chalk
Want to keep going? Return the initial Bingo Challenge or 25-Day Challenge to any Library location by July 16 to receive a bonus challenge, which can be completed to collect another prize.
Five Goals of Summer Reading
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. We aim for equity by meeting underserved youth where they're out and giving away books! This helps families in under-resourced neighborhoods build their home libraries.
- 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!
