Join the Cedar Rapids Public Library in celebrating our love of reading all summer long. Register now and read at least 10 minutes a day to complete the Cedar Rapids Reads Summer Challenge. Enjoy special events for all ages, log your reading minutes and earn badges, and visit the library for special rewards.

The Summer Reading Challenge is designed to help the community counter summer slide by encouraging children to read and giving caregivers tools to make reading fun. Lack of reading during the summer causes students to lose up to two months of reading development. Summer reading is a critical requirement to keep kids on track and their brains engaged. 

Adults are also encouraged to participate, with special prizes and events for different age groups. Parents and caregivers can log minutes they read with children. 

Register in person or on the Beanstack app. Read and log 600 minutes between June 1 and July 27.  

• Fill out your reading log or log your reading minutes in the Beanstack app (available in the app store) to track your reading.  

• When you fill in all the spaces on your reading log, bring it into the library and receive your free completion prize and an entry to the grand prize drawing.  

• Everyone receives a special incentive for signing up – a Summer Reading Kit – and a free book halfway through the program. Visit the library when you reach 300 minutes of reading to receive yours! 

• Reached 600 minutes? Keep reading! The challenge may be completed as many times as you want. Each time you complete the challenge, you'll receive another small prize of your choice. You'll also receive another entry into our grand prize drawing. Finish the challenge multiple times to increase your chances of winning! 

• Slips must be returned by Aug. 10 to be eligible for the grand prize drawing. 

The Summer Reading Challenge kicks off June 1 and runs through July 27. 

Complete half the program and get a free book. Kids and teens can choose from a variety of popular titles (while supplies last) to keep. Books can be claimed in person at either location through August. Adults will receive a coupon for a free book from the Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library.  

Each time you complete the program, you can choose a small prize and be eligible for entry in our grand prize drawing.  

Three Prizes for Each of the Following Age Groups:
Birth - Kindergarten: Learning Toy of $50 value
School Age - Lego Set 
Teen - $50 Gift Card
Adult - $50 Gift Card

Overall Grand Prize: Library experience of choice (examples: Story Time Special, Maker Experience, Park Visit from the Mobile Technology Lab, or an Arts and Crafts Experience)