June has arrived, which means Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ annual Summer Reading Program is kicking off! We invite participants to register and track their hours spent reading through July for prizes and raffles. Alongside this, we have planned numerous library programs across all ages to help inspire reading, learn new skills, and connect with others in creative and unique ways.
While prizes and a little friendly competition with friends and family can motivate reading, the actual reason libraries offer this program each summer is to help combat the “summer slide” in reading scores between school years. For adults, it serves as a healthy reason to give one’s self ‘permission to read’ among all the other fun summer activities.
This year’s theme is “Plant a Seed, Read” and participants who meet the halfway point of 10 hours of reading will receive a custom SCPL Summer Reading sticker designed by local artist Micael Nuñez.
Bring your family and friends to our range of free programs including offerings with the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners, Liminal Space Collective, Aptos History Museum, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Center for Farmworker Families, and Lucha Libro which brings live pro-wrestlers into the library!
Reading and raffle prizes include gift cards to local shops and bookstores, free scoops of ice cream, museum memberships, and more!
We are grateful to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Library who raise money to support this annual program as well as our other sponsors: Boardwalk Bowl, Atlantis Fantasyworld, The Penny Ice Creamery, and Renee’s Garden.
Sign up online or in your local branch library and get ready, set, read!
Christopher Platt
