Plant A Seed - Read!

Summer Reading Challenge
May 1 - August 15, 2026 

 Join the Plant a Seed - Read challenge to earn exciting prizes like a free swim pass for local pools. Register today!

Young readers buttonTeen Readers buttonAdult readers buttonEvents button



Take reading challenges with you! Find the Beanstack app in the App Store or Google Play.

Download Beanstack on the Apple App Store Download Beanstack on the Google Play App Store


Early Literacy and Elementary Readers

Prizes

Children can win amazing prizes like an American Girl doll, a Toniebox, LEGO sets and more. Families can enter to win tickets to Santa's Village. Teens and adults can also win coupons to local restaurants and many other great prizes. To be eligible for the grand prize drawing, the parent, guardian or child must be a Gail Borden Public Library cardholder.

Photo of all the prizes

Download Log

Image of reading log for kids

Click here to download Reading Log

 


Readers in Grades 6-12

Read this summer and earn a free book, coupons to local businesses, and an entry into a grand prize drawing for a gift card to a store of your choice. Novels, nonfiction, ebooks, audiobooks, manga, webtoons - all kinds of reading count!  To be eligible for the grand prize drawing, you, your parent, or your guardian must have a Gail Borden library card. 

Download Log

Teen Log English

Download English Teen Log

Teen Log Spanish

Download Spanish Teen Log


Adult Readers (18+)

Download Log

Adult Log English

Download English Adult Log

Adult Log Spanish

Download Spanish Adult Log

Instructions

Dig into summer with the Adult Summer Reading Challenge and read four books from the categories below and complete any three Wild Card activities. Track your progress with a bookmark log or online. 

Reading Categories and Activities:

  • Branching Out - One book from a new-to-you genre
  • Rooted in Reality - One non-fiction book  
  • Tangled Tendrils - One mystery or thriller
  • Sunshine and Self Care - One personal growth, how-to or DIY book
  • Wild (Flower) Card – Complete any three activities:  

Prizes

Starting May 1st, sign up to receive a registration prize. Challenge finishers can choose from prizes including Wing Park or Lords Park pool passes, Windy Acres Farm Stand coupons, ice cream coupons, a mini fridge vase, origami take-n-make kit, or Gail Borden merch!

Gail Borden Library cardholders who complete the challenge may also enter a prize drawing for Amazon, Meijer, Target or Chipotle gift cards, a raised wooden planter box from The Elgin Men’s Shed and Carpentry with Integrity, a LEGO Bonsai Tree, Kane County Cougars tickets or an Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce gift basket with $100 in Elgin merchandise and gift cards.


Summer Reading Kickoff

Main Library Meadows Community Rooms

Friday, 5/29 | 3 pm

Kick off summer reading with the science Heroes show. After the show, you can sign up for the summer reading challenge in KidSpace and enjoy more fun activities and crafts!

Register here!

Happy Healthy Summer Fun Fair

Main Library Meadows Community Rooms & Outdoor Stage
Saturday, 5/16 | Noon - 3 pm

Enjoy Activities and food trucks while learning about summer safety from community partners. Co-presented by Advocate Sherman

Rakow Summer Reading Bash: Plant a Seed & Sign Up

Rakow Branch Lawn
Thursday, 6/4 | 3:30 - 5 pm

Sign up for summer reading, plant seeds in the Library garden, play games, make crafts, earn prizes and enjoy a magic show preformed by Dan Gough.

Community Resource Fair at the Library

Main Library Meadows Community Rooms
Saturday, 6/13 | 1 - 2:30 pm

Enjoy family activities, a DJ, face painting, origami, snacks, and more. Community organizations will also share information about their resources.


Sponsors

Andy's Frozen Custard logo McDonald's logo Chipotle Logo Kane County Cougars logo
lou Malnatis logo Wendys Logo Raising Canes logo
Xtreme Wheels logos Chicago Stars Logo Gail Borden Foundation logo Red Robin logo
Buffalo Wild Wings logo Chick-fil-a logo Burpee Museum Logo Santa's Village Logo
Funway logo