Yolo County Library’s Summer Reading Program Starts June 1

Join Yolo County Library’s annual Summer Reading Program from June 1 through August 15. Children, teens and adults can participate to earn prizes by logging reading minutes and taking part in activities and programs designed to complement this year’s theme – All Together Now.

All who sign up for the program can choose a free book from a selection available at their local branch library. Participants who complete the summer reading challenge will receive another free book and a prize, as well as an entry into a final raffle for additional prizes. Children ages 0-12 will also receive a certificate for a free kid’s meal at Raising Cane’s. More prizes may be offered; check your local branch for details. Prizes will be available to pick up through the end of August, or while supplies last.

Participants are encouraged to track the books they have read, log reading minutes, complete activities to earn badges and prizes and discover great books online through the Beanstack platform on the web or via the app. Parents or caregivers can sign up and quickly log their own and their children’s reading under one main account. Instructions and sign-up information are available at https://YoloCountyLibrary.org/Summer. Alternatively, paper logs will be available at library branches.

Summer reading programs encourage even reluctant readers to read more of what interests them, and studies have shown that participation helps children and teens to develop a love of reading and retain and improve their skills over the summer. Adult participation promotes a lifelong habit of reading and learning and encourages caregivers to support their child’s literacy development by reading with them.

Yolo County Library will also be offering a series of weekly All Together Outside programs at all branches from June 10 to August 15 thanks to a California State Library grant. Events will focus on local wildlife and recreation opportunities starting with a kick-off festival on Saturday, June 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Capay Open Space Park, located at 15603 County Road 85 in Capay. This family-friendly event, in collaboration with the Yolo County Parks Division, Tuleyome and Latino Outdoors, will feature a nature walk, bilingual storytime in English and Spanish, a musical performance by Cascada de Flores, fun activities and a resource fair with information about wildlife, conservation groups, nearby hiking trails, recreational opportunities and more. A schedule of All Together Outside events can be found on the library’s online calendar at https://YoloCountyLibrary.org/Events.

The themes of All Together Now and All Together Outside are fitting complements for this summer’s program, as exposure to books and the outdoors from an early age fosters empathy, curiosity and an appreciation for the beauty and diversity around us. “Both nature and reading offer opportunities to explore new worlds and ideas,” said Yolo County Librarian Diana Lopez. “Together, they are a reminder that we are all connected to the natural world and to each other.”

The Summer Reading Program is free and sponsored by the Yolo County Library Foundation and the various Friends of the Library groups. For more information or to sign up, visit your local Yolo County Library branch or: https://YoloCountyLibrary.org/Summer. Connect with Yolo County Library on Facebook at www.facebook.com/yolocountylibrary.org and on Instagram and TikTok at @yolocountylibrary.