SLO County’s summer library reading program is back! What’s new this year

Are you looking to take your kids to see the world without spending a dime?

This year they can jump into the wardrobe to Narnia or hop the Hogwarts Express with the County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries’ summer reading challenge.

With hundreds of thousands of library books to choose from, kids can pick anything from well-loved bestsellers to exciting new releases. The reading challenge guide is available online, and parents simply need to download or print out the guide to help their kids start tracking their favorite reads. Any type of reading counts: even audiobooks, cookbooks or comic books.

Reading for five hours earns readers a spin of the prize wheel for the chance to win a bookmark or stickers. Ten hours amounts to a book readers can keep. The grand prize — a local tote bag — is offered to those who read 20 hours, according to the SLO County library system website.

Prizes are available at any of the 14 SLO County libraries between June 7 and Aug. 9 while supplies last. Those traveling can still participate and are able to pick up their prizes when they return.

The challenge is sponsored by the SLO County Library Foundation and the SLO Friends of the Library group.

Why are summer reading programs good for kids?

The summer reading challenge is a nationwide initiative meant to keep kids reading over the summer. In SLO County, over 6,000 people participated in the reading challenge last summer, according to engagement and marketing librarian Erica Thatcher

Participants do not need to have a library card, but librarians hope that if people hear about the reading challenge, they will come open an account and load up their bags, Thatcher told The Tribune.

Libraries are still trying to encourage readers to return after the COVID-19 pandemic, Thatcher said.

The program also helps students retain their reading skills and prevent backsliding during summer vacation. In SLO County, only 52.16% of students met ELA standards in 2024, according to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress.

“It’s important for kids to keep reading over the summer because we want them to retain the skills that they developed in school the previous year,” Thatcher said.

Some of the more popular books recently include Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid“ and Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man.” Thatcher also noted that graphic novels are seeing a surge in popularity.

For kids more intrigued by audiobooks, the library offers a collection of downloadable audiobooks that are free to use with a library card.

‘Quail Trail’ encourages young readers to check out more local libraries

Expanding upon the summer reading challenge, SLO County libraries also set up a “Quail Trail” to encourage kids to check out different libraries in the local system.

Each library set up a “Cabinet of Curiosities” that houses something unique.

The downtown SLO library has a selection of insect specimen from Cal Poly, while the Arroyo Grande location has a huge monarch butterfly, Thatcher said.

Children can then track their visits on a map to try and hit all library locations.

Beyond that, the libraries offer events each week including storytime and painting.

“Libraries are judgment free,” Thatcher said. “We want you to read whatever you want.”