“Color Your World” this summer by signing up now for the Dauphin County Library System’s Summer Reading Club! Readers of all ages are encouraged to read, learn and explore their community all summer long.
Sign up now by visiting dcls.org/src, then browse the online calendar to see all the programs The Library has planned. The club kicks off on June 1 and ends August 31.
The summer reading club is completed by earning points by reading and performing different activities. The community-wide goal is to earn 200,000 points. Participants can log minutes spent reading, each book read, or activities completed on the Beanstack website (dcls.beanstack.org), Beanstack Tracker app, or a paper log available at any Dauphin County Library System location.
The path to completion varies by age group:
- Preschoolers (5 years and younger) complete the club by earning 100 points. Each book read earns five points. The club is complete after reading and logging just 20 books. Young readers can earn points even faster by completing activities too – such as creating a picture review of the books read. Kids who are enrolled in The Library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenge can log the same book for both challenges.
- School-aged kids and teens (5 to 18 years) complete the club by earning 200 points. Readers can choose to log by the number of minutes spent reading or the number of books read. Readers can earn points faster by supplementing their reading with standard activities, special “super activities,” or creating book reviews. Special “super activities” will be shared each week, so be sure to check in often.
- Adults (18 years and older) complete the club by earning 30 points. Adult participants who read, log and review one book a month can complete the club by August 31.
Preschoolers, kids, and teens who reach the halfway point of their summer reading club goal can pick up an “Explore Your Community” bag starting on July 1. Explore Your Community bags contain coupons and freebies from local businesses and organizations throughout Dauphin County. The bags make exploring Dauphin County more affordable for families. Participating organizations include ABC North Lanes, Country Barn, Isaac’s Restaurants, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Lykens Valley Children’s Museum, Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, Susquehanna Art Museum, The Meadows Original Frozen Custard, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, and Twin Valley Players Colonnade.
Preschooler, kids, and teens who complete the club and adults who earn at least 10 points can pick up a free book to keep at any library location starting on August 1. Everyone who completes the club by August 31 will be entered to win a gift basket from their home library with local treats tailored to each location. There are nine baskets for kids, nine for teens and nine for adults. All readers can earn additional entries by continuing to earn points beyond the finishing goals.
Children will be able to receive a free curbside lunch to go at several of The Library’s locations this summer starting on June 7 through August 13. Snacks will be available at all eight Library locations on Fridays and weekends.
- East Shore Area Library (4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg): Monday – Thursday, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
- Elizabethville Area Library (80 N. Market St., Elizabethville): Tuesday – Thursday, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
- Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library (2410 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg): Monday – Thursday, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Northern Dauphin Library (683 Main St., Lykens): Monday – Thursday, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
- William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library (200 W. 2nd St., Hummelstown): Monday – Thursday, 12:15 – 1:15 pm
Summer Programs: Online and outdoor pop-up programs
Virtual performers will join us for several Summer Family Programs starting June 22 through July 29. Registration for all virtual performances will open on June 1. Performances will be hosted virtually on Zoom.
Additional online library programs and outdoor pop-up programs are planned across Dauphin County too. Find and register for upcoming summer programs by visiting dcls.org/src.
The Library’s “Reading Colors Your World” Summer Reading Club is sponsored by the Dauphin County Library System, Mid Penn Bank, M&T Bank, UGI Utilities, S&T Bank, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Library Association, and Weis Markets. Learn more about The Library’s Summer Reading Club at dcls.org/src.
Dauphin County Library System provides county residents with free access to virtually any materials imaginable, both current and ageless. It offers books, movies, music, magazines, online access, people to help with research and programs that support personal and community growth. The library is the place to satisfy your curiosity. To learn more about The Library visit dcls.org. Getting a card is free – just bring your driver’s license or other proof of residence to any of the eight libraries or register online at dcls.org.
