Summer Reading Challenge

Cedar Rapids Reads: Summer Reading Challenge

Join the Cedar Rapids Public Library in celebrating our love of reading all summer long. Register now and read at least 600 minutes 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.

Summer should be fun for all ages! 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.

How to Participate

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

Pick up your free Summer Reading Kit at the library.
Fill out your reading log or log your reading minutes in the Beanstack app to track your reading.
When you reach 300 minutes, visit the library for a free book.
When you reach 600 minutes, claim a free completion prize AND get an entry to grand prize drawings.
Reached 600 minutes? Keep reading! You can complete the challenge as many times as you want until July 27. Each completion earns 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.

Children's Summer Reading Log

Teen or Adult Reading Log

A child crouches down while holding a tablet in front of a Cedar Rapids Public Library tent.

Prizes

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)

Cedar Rapids Reads Summer Reading Challenge

Register

Registration for the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge coming soon!

Beanstack

Children and Tom Pease raise their arms in the air.

Library Programs

Join us for a full slate of summer programs at the library and visit our Mobile Technology Lab at area parks.

Experience magic and science alike, meet animals, listen to music, and even encounter dinosaurs.

We invite you to explore our programs for all ages on our calendar or call (319) 261-7323 for updated information.

Events Calendar

Severe Weather

The Cedar Rapids Public Library values and prioritizes the safety of our patrons and staff. During extreme weather, outdoor outreach programs will be cancelled in accordance with Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines, including:

Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
Heat Index above 100 degrees Fahrenheit
Wind Chill below 10 degrees Fahrenheit
Air Quality Index over 150

Outdoor outreach may also be cancelled at the discretion of the Library Director or library management.

All decisions will be made no later than 30 minutes before the start of an outdoor program. Cancellations will be communicated on the library’s social media channels and the online events calendar.

Story Time in the Park

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 3 to Friday, Aug. 2 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too.

Each stop will feature an all-ages story time at the start of the program, followed by activities, games, and giveaways with our Mobile Technology Lab.

Mondays, 9-11 am, Redmond Park, 1545 Third Ave. SE
Mondays, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Jacolyn Park, 198 Jacolyn Dr. NW
Tuesdays, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Hayes Park, 1924 D St. SW
Thursdays: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Hughes Park, 2100 Wilson Ave. SW (No visit July 4)
Fridays: 9-11 am, Bever Park, 2700 Bever Ave. SE