Gail Borden Library Plants an Exciting New Summer Reading Challenge

To keep local students sharp over the summer and continue to foster a community-wide love for learning, the Gail Borden Public Library District has officially launched its 2026 Summer Reading Challenge: "Plant a Seed – Read!" The free program, which runs now through August 15, 2026, encourages residents of all ages—from newborns to adults—to track their reading and earn exciting rewards.

 

To incentivize participation, the library has partnered with local businesses and city pools. Every participant from birth through 12th grade who completes the challenge will receive a free swim pass to Lords Park or Wing Park pools.

 

Teens and adults who complete the challenge can enjoy coupons to local restaurants and chances to win gift cards. Young finishers with a Gail Borden Public Library card will also be entered into prize drawings for items like an American Girl doll, a Toniebox, LEGO sets and tickets to Santa’s Village.

 

Tracking is simple for everyone. Participants can track reading time either via paper log (available at any Gail Borden Public Library location) or online at [gailborden.info/read2026]gailborden.info/read2026. This year offers three variations of reading logs, dependent on each participant’s age: a young readers log for birth through fifth grade, a combined teen log for sixth through 12th grade and an adult log.

 

Families are invited to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of their summer reading growth with upcoming Summer Reading Launch events.

 

3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.                    Science Heroes Show  -- Please register.

3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.             Sign up for Summer Reading

It is time for summer reading, and the Science Heroes need your help! They will take you on an action packed adventure filled with vibrant colors, exciting experiments and plenty of fun. Immediately following the show, sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at the KidSpace booth and enjoy even more activities and crafts. Adults can also enter the Family Technology Prize Drawing for a chance to win an Amazon device for a child in their life, thanks to a generous donation from Promac Inc. and Amazon.

 

3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.     Sign up for Summer Reading

4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.     Dan Gogh's Grow Show

All ages can sign up for summer reading and watch their imagination grow. Enjoy lawn games, plant seeds in the Library garden, create fun crafts and earn sign-up prizes. Make sure to stick around for a fun and interactive magic show with children’s entertainer Dan Gough.

 

 

 

For more information, to register for events, or to start tracking reading, visit www.gailborden.info/read2026 or drop by any library location.

 

 

About the Gail Borden Public Library District: The Gail Borden Public Library District serves over 170,000 residents and is "fueled by the power of community." Because of its impact working with many partners, the library has been recognized numerous times, including the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor that can be bestowed on an American library.  With numerous literary resources, exceptional programs for people of all ages and exciting exhibits like turtles, Violins of Hope, dinosaurs and space, the library strives to engage people of all ages through education, recreation and creativity.