San Diego Public Library Revamps Summer Reading Program

News Summary

The San Diego Public Library has launched its revamped Summer Reading Program with a carnival-themed kickoff, aiming to engage all ages in reading and learning activities. Featuring games, storytelling, and magic shows, the program encourages participation through incentives like prizes. Community members can participate online or at library locations, tracking their progress to earn rewards. The program also highlights additional summer events to foster community engagement. Registration remains open until late summer, promoting literacy across age groups.

San Diego Public Library Launches Revamped Summer Reading Program with Carnival Kick-Off

The San Diego Public Library (SDPL) kicked off its Summer Reading Program with a lively event on Saturday at the Central Library’s courtyard located at 330 Park Blvd. This year’s theme, “Level Up at Your Library,” aims to engage patrons of all ages through a variety of educational and entertaining activities.

Library Director Misty Jones highlighted that the revamped program offers a rich blend of resources designed to foster reading and learning. Activities featured during the launch included carnival games, storytime sessions led by local storyteller Jimmy Sherfy, resource tables, balloon animal creations, and a magic performance by Illusions by Allen. The engaging atmosphere was intended to promote a love for reading among children, teens, and adults alike.

As part of the incentive to participate, the program offers exciting prizes for those who complete their reading goals. These prizes include museum passes and free books, available while supplies last. The SDPL encourages participation across three age categories: children (ages 0-5 and 6-11), youth (ages 12-17), and adults (ages 18 and up).

Participants can track their activities online or through paper logs available at any of the 37 SDPL locations. Early figures from last year reveal that nearly 32,000 individuals took part in the program, collectively reading over 265,855 books. Registration for this year’s program is open until August 31, 2024.

Starting June 9, registered participants can begin earning points by registering, reading, and engaging in games. These points can be redeemed for prizes after achieving specific milestones: reading 10 books, reading for 10 hours, or completing 10 library-related activities. For children aged 0-11, rewards include a book and family museum passes. Teens (ages 12-17) will also receive books and passes, while adults can claim a free book and museum passes.

In addition to the core activities of the reading program, the SDPL is set to host extra events throughout the summer months. These will feature video game tournaments and board game nights, providing additional opportunities for community interaction and engagement. To further foster interest in technology and creativity, the SDPL will organize two Game Jam camps focused on video game design, aimed specifically at students.

The Pacific Beach/Taylor Library is one of the participating branches in this comprehensive program, which not only promotes literacy but also highlights themes of outdoor activity and conservation. Families and individuals participating in the program are encouraged to enjoy reading as a fun and enriching experience over the summer vacations.

For more information and registration details about the Summer Reading Program, community members can visit the official San Diego city website at sandiego.gov/summerreading.

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Additional Resources

• NBC San Diego
• Wikipedia: Summer Reading
• San Diego Union-Tribune
• Google Search: San Diego Public Library Summer Reading Program
• Times of San Diego
• Google Scholar: Summer Reading Programs
• 10 News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Summer Reading