Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) announced the launch of its annual Summer Reading Challenge with the theme “Adventure Starts Here” for children, teens, and adults. The challenge will kick off on Friday, June 14, and run through Saturday, Aug. 31, offering a summer filled with books, learning activities, and celebratory events.
Six kickoff events will take place in June at various library branches across the county, featuring activities for all ages. The Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. and the Washington Nationals baseball team sponsor the program.
Children, teens, and adults may sign up for the Challenge online or at any MCPL branch. Pre-registration is now open, allowing participants to get a head start on planning their summer reading adventures.
MCPL designed the Summer Reading Challenge for children to inspire a love of reading and learning, offering a variety of in-person and virtual events. This year, MCPL is partnering with Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, and the Montgomery Parks Foundation to promote adventure and community engagement. Participants can earn e-badges by reading or completing activities, contributing to the accessibility and preservation of the county’s parks.
Teens aged 13 and older can participate in the Challenge by completing special bingo game board activities. Prizes include a free book for signing up, Nationals tickets as a halfway prize, and Washington Mystics basketball tickets for completing the challenge.
Adults are also invited to join the Summer Reading Challenge with their own bingo-like board of activities. By reading books and attending five Adult Summer Reading events, participants can win exciting prizes.
Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off Events
The Summer Reading Challenge will kick off with six indoor-outdoor events in June, offering fun for the whole family. Dates, times, and locations for the kickoff events are as follows:
- Saturday, June 15, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring.
- Saturday, June 15, 2 – 3 p.m. at Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg.
- Saturday, June 22, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Damascus Library, 9701 Main Street, Damascus.
- Sunday, June 23, 2 – 4 p.m. at Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda.
- Friday, June 28, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Avenue, Kensington.
- Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Road, Rockville.
To participate in the program, individuals can sign up or log in to pre-register online. Starting June 14, participants can earn online badges by reading books and participating in activities throughout the summer. Printable gameboards are available in multiple languages for children, teens, and adults, offering a flexible and inclusive way to track progress.
MCPL is dedicated to promoting literacy, learning, and community engagement through programs like the Summer Reading Challenge. Join us this summer for an adventure in reading and discovery!
For more information, visit the MCPL website or contact your local library branch.
More information about the challenge can be found here.
