It’s hard to believe that summer is here. School may be out, but reading is in! Summer is such a magical time for having fun and making memories with your kids. Make one of those memories diving into some exciting stories or fascinating nonfiction titles!
Many libraries are offering summer reading programs for your children to help foster a love of books and continue to develop their literacy skills over summer break. If you have never participated in a summer reading program, this is the year to sign up! Many programs offer fun rewards and incentives to encourage your children to log those reading minutes.
Below is a list of summer reading programs in the Indianapolis area. Several libraries have associated summer reading events at their local branches—check our calendar to see what’s scheduled near you.
Indianapolis Public Library
May 31 – August 2
This summer’s theme at the Indianapolis Public Library is “Unearth Imagination!” Summer is the perfect time to explore new worlds, discover exciting stories, and build a love for reading! Prizes are earned at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading. All types of reading count towards your totals, including audiobooks. Complete special Discover Summer Reading activities to earn a bonus prize. Visit the library’s website for all the details and to register.
Avon-Washington Township Library
June 2-July 26
In Avon, Adventure Begins at Your Library! Register and pick up your reading log at the library’s circulation desk. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Kickoff Party on June 3! Dress to get messy as the event includes a bubble party, pets from Misty Eyes, ice cream, and chalk art. This program is for children of all ages.
Bartholomew County Public Library
June 2 – July 26
Prepare all ye knowledgeable knights or masterful monarchs! The summer reading program is Reading Renaissance this summer at the Bartholomew County Public Library! Earn prizes like local vendor coupons, all-ages books, bookish coupons, and more! Everyone who completes the program will receive a BCPL Summer Reading Program t-shirt or tote bag, and children of all ages can participate. Plan to attend the kick-off party on June 4, from 4-6 pm!
Brownsburg Public Library
June 2-July 26
Hop over to the Brownsburg Public Library and register for this year’s summer reading program. To earn raffle tickets and prizes, spend a total of 6 hours reading or doing literacy activities through the library. This program is open to children of all ages.
Carmel Clay Public Library
June 1–July 31
Carmel Clay Public Library‘s Summer Reading Program theme is “Color our World!” This program includes a special give-back initiative where kids’ reading can earn donations to Carmel’s Merciful HELP Center. There are rewards for each level of the program completed, with the option to redeem for a prize or donate to the senior community located in Noblesville. Kids will also earn two free books and a mini art kit throughout the summer. This program is for infants through grade 5 children, but they also have teen and adult summer reading programs.
Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library
June 1-July 31
Register on Beanstack for the “Color Our World” Summer Reading Program and earn prizes and badges every 5 days of reading logged. Teens earn raffle tickets to enter a raffle for a $100 gift card. Children earn a book when they complete the program, and there are opportunities to complete special activities to snag even more prizes!
Greenwood Public Library
May 13-June 29
Learn to appreciate Novel Destinations this summer at the Greenwood Public Library. Participants will earn points for activities they complete, programs they attend, days they read, books completed, weekly challenges, and more! Each activity helps you fill out your Tracker Card, and the more activities you complete, the more prizes you’ll earn. This program is open to children of all ages.
Hamilton East Public Library
June 1-July 31
Hamilton East Public Library’s summer reading program is open to children of all ages. The 2025 theme is Color Our World! Your reading earns you prizes, entries into gift card drawings, and the opportunity to earn a free book halfway through the program. There are prizes for each age category when you earn 25, 50, 75, and 100 points. Earn your free book when you reach the 50-point badge!
Plainfield- Guilford Township Public Library
June 2-July 14
Head over to the Plainfield Public Library for this year’s summer reading program, “Color Our World.” Each participant will earn raffle tickets based on the time spent reading. Some of the raffle prizes will include gift cards, experience packages, and more! There are separate prize options for children, teens, and adults, as this program is open to all ages.
Westfield Washington Public Library
June 1-July 31
Westfield’s summer reading program, “Color Our World,” is for all ages! Westfield uses the Beanstack app to track reading. Register online at wwpl.beanstack.org or through the Beanstack app on your mobile device. Log your hours to earn badges for reading, with the goal of completing 40 hours of reading (or listening) to books.
Johnson County Public Library
May 12-July 31
Explore Summer at Johnson County Public Library! This year’s program includes fun weekly learning challenges. Register on the Beanstack App, and log 10 hours of reading to earn a finisher’s prize and be entered into a drawing for the Grand Prize. For each additional 10 hours of reading completed, you will be entered to win an additional prize. Children of all ages are invited to participate in this summer reading program.
Shelby County Public Library
2024 Dates and Theme TBA
Embark on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating how art enriches our lives this summer with “Color Our World!” Listen to or read books, log your minutes, and earn badges for prizes for this summer reading program. Registration is available for children of all ages.
Barnes & Noble
July-August
Participate in this fun and easy way for kids to earn free books at Barnes & Noble this summer. They simply read a designated number of books – library books, books borrowed from friends, or books bought at Barnes & Noble – write about their favorite part in their Reading Journal, and bring a completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Children then choose their free book from options listed in the Reading Journal and collect their free book from a store near them in July or August. This program is available for children in first through sixth grade.
Pizza Hut
June-August
The BOOK IT! program through Pizza Hut motivates children to read by rewarding their reading accomplishments with praise, recognition, and pizza. This free reading incentive program is for PreK through sixth-grade classrooms, parents, and homeschool families. Register through the BOOK IT website.
Looking for more ways to inspire a love of reading in your kids? Check out these Indy-area children’s bookstores or follow our Indiana Author Trail!
Summer is the perfect time to take a road trip!
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