This summer we’re spreading kindness, All Together Now!
Starting May 15, children ages 0-12 and teens ages 13-17 can pre-register (or log in) online or at your local library, and on June 17 you can pick up your free book at your local branch and start logging your reading and activities online! At the same time, you’ll be helping our community be kind to animals, to one another, and to the planet this summer, while working together with several Montgomery County organizations to strengthen our community!
You’ll earn three badges by reading books, doing activities, and attending virtual or in-person library programs, like the County-wide kick-off event at Rockville Memorial Library on June 17, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC).
Your work towards each badge will spread kindness, encourage friendship, and promote unity. When you earn the Animal All-Star! badge, you will help Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and Friends of Montgomery County Animals find forever homes for adoptable pets. When you earn the Kindness Rockstar! badge, you will help Manna Food Center provide meals to families in Montgomery County. When you earn the Planeteer! badge, you will help Montgomery Parks Foundation power local parks with solar energy to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Just like last year, and in accordance with Montgomery County’s Climate Action Plan, we’re doing our part to be kind to the planet by reducing plastic waste. You’ll get a free new book just for signing up for the Summer Reading Challenge! Halfway through the summer you’ll get a voucher redeemable for two free tickets to a Washington Nationals baseball game. And when you finish in August, you’ll get a voucher for a book of your choice at the FOLMC Bookstore. Throughout the summer you’ll also earn bookmarks featuring information on how you’re helping the community and our community partners!
You can track your progress and record your accomplishments online using your READsquared account through the MCPL website, and every time you earn a badge you can celebrate at your local library by getting a sticker to mark your progress on your gameboard.
Teens will complete activities on a bingo board to earn e-raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes. There are over 40 chances to win, including two system-wide grand prizes: a Nintendo Switch Bundle and an Xbox Series S Bundle.
The FOLMC is sponsoring live performer events at each library all summer long— that’s over 80 programs! Branches may sponsor additional events, including STEM programs. A highlight of mid-summer will be Random Acts of Kindness Week (July 30-August 5), when you’ll be able to participate in many kindness-themed events at MCPL branches. And make sure to pick up Monty the Service Dog to take on all your summer adventures. You can share pictures of you and Monty the Service Dog through social media using the tag #MCPLreads.
To help you find favorite new reads, MCPL librarians have updated the suggested reading lists for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, grades K-6, middle school, and high school, as well as Spanish language lists for preschool through grade 5. There are even MCPL video booktalks to inspire you!
The 2023 Summer Reading Challenge! begins June 17 and runs through August 31.