Summer Reading Programs

Spend summer in the pages of a good book

Summer reading programs are a fun and competitive way to keep literacy skills sharp during the languid, sunny months for kids and adults alike. But summer reading can serve yet another vital function.

In an age of heightened censorship, books with themes of LGBTQ+, race, mental health, sexuality, and social justice are being banned and restricted in schools across the United States. Second Lady Usha Vance launched a summer reading program last year, particularly encouraging military families to participate while at the same time schools near military bases were actively pulling books from their libraries for DEI-related themes and, what Florida state attorney called, “pornographic” content. 

Additionally, library funding has been challenged on a federal level with the Trump Administration’s appeal to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) which is the only federal agency dedicated to providing funding for the nation’s libraries. Earlier this month the American Library Association struck a historic win, when a federal court granted the Trump Administration’s request to withdraw its appeal to defund the IMLS.

With so much tumult rocking bookshelves, this summer, more than ever, is the time to show support for your local libraries by checking out physical books, e-books, even audiobooks. Showing demand for library services ensures continued access to books that provide essential historical, identity, and human rights perspectives.

Here is Yellow Scene’s guide to the various library summer reading programs in the area. If you’re not sure where to start, you’ll also find their book recommendations and get a peek at the prizes that await (fun ones too, not just the moralistic prizes for reading)!

BOULDER

Boulder Public Library’s Summer of Discovery is kicking off June 1st and running through July 31st. Kids, teens, adults, and even pre-readers are invited to participate. 

• Every 50 minutes of reading or participating in one library-approved activity earns the reader 50 points. Reaching 500 points earns readers a prize. 
• All registrants receive a buy-one-get-one-free voucher to a Colorado Rapids game, and adults are entered into a drawing upon registration.  
• Kids and teens who complete the challenge will receive a coupon for a free ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, a free entry to Gateway Park Fun Center, and the choice between a new book or a coupon to the Paper and Spine bookstore.  
• Adults who complete the challenge will receive a coupon for a free ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery and a second entry into a drawing for a gift certificate. 

Once the main challenge is finished, participants can keep earning points to use as entries for the grand prize drawing. Each additional 100 points = 1 entry. There is a limit of three entries total. One winner will be drawn from each age group.

Grand prizes include: 

• Pre-Readers: Strider Bike
• Kids: Gift Card for a Cooking Class at the Food Lab
• Teens: Gift Card for a Cooking Class at the Food Lab
• Adults: Gift Card for a Class at Colorado Glass Works

The Boulder Library lists staff and reader picks on their blog, which can be filtered based on adult, teen, or kid reading. Their Teen-by-Teen book picks include reviews like Ellie’s recommendation, Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, a paranormal mystery romance following a trans man from an unaccepting traditional Latinx family who unleashes unexpected consequences with a dangerous family ritual. In another teen review, Julian touts Queer Ducks (And Other Animals): The Animal World of Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer. NPR’s All Things Considered calls Queer Ducks “teenager-friendly. It’s a Printz Honor young adult book filled with comics and humor and accessible science, and it’s filled with research on the diversity of sexual behavior in the animal world.”  

Other teen and adult picks include I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, a story told by twins exploring family and identity, and Soma by Fernando Llor, a sci-fi graphic novel about a struggling author whose fate collides with an alien’s. 

Staff recommendations for adults include The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck by Kylie Scott, a romance novel following a plus-size woman who is given unexpected gifts from a witch she saves, and The Emperor of Gladness by award-winning poet and fiction writer Ocean Vuong. 

The Boulder Library staff also created extensive booklists for kids on their website, which are broken down into categories like “Women Making History” and “Picture Books About Black History,” as well as by genre and age range.

ERIE

Director of Erie Public Library Becky L. Duncan was excited to share that their summer reading program will include all ages for the first time – “from 0 to 100.” It kicks off June 1st, and the theme is Bingo! More info will be shared on the Erie Public Library’s website as the date draws closer.

LAFAYETTE

The Friends of the Lafayette Library present the Exploring Colorful Colorado Summer Reading Program, running June 1st through July 31st. The program’s America 250/Colorado 150 theme celebrates the nation’s and the state’s anniversaries. 

At Festival Plaza on Thursday, May 28th, the Library’s Summer Reading Program will kick off with Picnic on the Plaza, presented by the Arts and Cultural Resources Department, featuring award-winning artist Jenn Cleary. The library says, “This family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick off a season of reading, music, and community fun.” 

No fees or registration are required to participate. Participants can track reading and activity goals with a paper passport or online. Lafayette residents and visitors can expect regular Saturday special events, workshops, storytimes, and other engaging activities all summer. Signup begins on June 1st, either in person at the library or online.

LONGMONT

Longmont’s Public Library is holding Summer Bingo May 21st through July 31st, kicking off with a party on the library’s West patio headlined by local youth band RLY ORY. 

Kids and teens must complete BINGO boards by July 31 for a chance to win prizes. Adults are also encouraged to participate and can track their reading, get card punches as they finish books, and win small prizes along the way.

DENVER

The Denver Public Library is hosting Summer of Adventure from June 1st through August 10th. It promises to be “a season filled with exciting events, reading inspiration, book giveaways, hands-on STEM activities, nature discovery, teen workforce opportunities, and meaningful connections for all ages.” Readers up to those in the 12th grade can complete 20 hours of reading, learning, listening, and attending library events to earn a completion prize. Upon registration, participants will receive their Adventure Guide to fill out with their activities. Participants can expect to find free books at any one of the library’s events.

COLORADO-WIDE

The Colorado Rapids Summer Reading Program partners with local libraries to reward young readers with complimentary game tickets and discounted tickets for family members. Readers can sign up at any library.

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