LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — The Toledo Library is holding its 100th summer reading program, a season-long event that encourages community members of all ages to continue reading during the summer months. Here's how to sign up for the program, and a look at which prizes the library is offering this year.
The program, which launched June 1, lasts until Aug. 3. Between that time, readers should track how many days out of 30 they have read. At various points during the program, participants can turn in their form in exchange for prizes.
There are three ways to sign up for the program: sign up using the form linked here, pick up a paper tracker at any Toledo Library location (also available for download here), or sign up and track your reading using the Beanstack app.
To complete the program, participants can either turn in their paper copy to any location, fill out a completion form, or submit the completion using the Beanstack app, if the app was also used to track progress.
Although reading is often a reward in itself, the library is offering many prizes to participants. Anyone who signs up can pick up a pencil bag in person at any library location. At the midway point in the summer reading program, kids and teen participants can pick up a "mood pencil".
Upon completing the program, kids and teens can choose a book to keep from the library's special selection. Adults will receive a mug for completing the program. Finishing the program also enters participants into the grand prize drawings for items such as Nintendo Switch Lites, Kindles, Cricuts, Fitbit trackers, gift cards and more, according to the library's website.
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All prizes must be picked up in person by Aug. 17.
The Toledo Library's summer reading program began in 1924, following a nationwide trend that began in the 1890s encouraging school-age children to read during the summer months when they were away from school. According to the library's website, the first program at the Toledo Library was called the "Vacation Reading Club," in which 85 children participated.
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