Our 2026 Summer Reading Programs are now available! Register in-person at the circulation desk to sign up.
Children’s Summer Reading
Birth – 12 years old
Summer Reading is here, and kids can sign up beginning Monday, June 29th and ends Saturday, August 8th! Children commit to reading at least ten minutes a day and must register themselves (parents, this one’s on the kids). Every child who signs up goes home with two awesome things: a big manila envelope packed with goodies and a white bag full of surprises. Inside the envelope you’ll find a reading log, stickers, a raffle ticket, and a paper dinosaur. Log each day’s reading with a sticker, and toss your raffle ticket in one of the prize receptacles stationed around the library for a chance to win awesome prizes!
Write your name on your dinosaur and claim your spot on the bulletin board! And keep your eyes peeled for Lonnie, the library’s very own megalodon, who will be lurking somewhere in the building. Hunt him down using the posted clue. If you’re here on June 29, don’t miss the kickoff celebration that evening, with ice cream and dinosaurs. Summer Reading starts now!
Teen Summer Reading
9 – 18 years old
Do you have some extra time on your hands? Do you have required reading for school? Do you just love reading? Put that reading to work for you and earn chances to win some really cool prizes!
Register for the Teen Summer Reading Program and enter weekly raffles to win prizes! The more you read, the better your chances are to win a prize. (Note: Listening to audiobooks counts as reading too.)
Registration packets will be available beginning Monday, June 29th and goes until Saturday, August 8th. Don’t miss out!
Fun prizes you could win:
- Dino Pillows to Make,
- Mini Card Games,
- Baseball Backpacks,
- Collapsible Water Bottles,
- Dinosaur Building Kits,
- Dinosaur Painting Kits,
- Journal and Pen Sets
- and more!
Take Note: Be on the lookout for a library-wide, all-ages dinosaur scavenger hunt event!
Adult Summer Reading
18 years old and up
This year’s theme is “Unearth a Story.” You can choose whatever you want to read, whether they are books from the library or your own personal copies. You can also review Books on CD, MP3s, or e-books.
Important Dates:
Registration Begins: Monday, June 29
Reading Program Runs: Monday, June 29 – Saturday, August 8
End of Summer Reading Celebration: In-person celebration in the Assini Meeting Room Monday, August 10 at 6:00PM – 7:30PM
Here’s How It Works:
- You will receive a packet with review cards.
- Read books (physical copy or e-book) or listen to audiobooks.
- Write a review card for each book you read/listen to and drop your completed cards in the wooden box
- The librarian will draw names each week and the winners will be notified by telephone or e-mail.
- At the end of the program we will have our End of Summer Reading Celebration in the Meeting Room on Monday, August 10 at 6:00PM. You will be able to register through our program calendar on our website. During the program there will be a random selection from those in attendance for a chance to win a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card. Registration is required and limited to those who have registered for the Adult Summer Reading Program. Light refreshments will be provided.
Funding for all of our prizes is generously donated by the Friends of the Gates Public Library.
Posted on June 29, 2026
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