Summer Reading FAQs
What is the Summer Reading Program?
The JCML Summer Reading Program (SRP) is our annual program designed to keep kids - and adults - interested in reading during the summer months to help them maintain their reading skills until school begins. We have a reading challenge activity for all ages to participate in, daily activities in the library for various ages, and family-friendly events held on Fridays in the Services Building Auditorium. For the 2026 program, "Unearth a Story," we have scheduled the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science, balloon magician Robb Holladay, live-animal presenters Wild Things ZOOfari, interactive-science fun Science Heroes, and a new act, Circus Chickendog. We’ll close out our summer with the return of our annual Summer Reading Wrap-Up event! Beginning June 1st, you can come by the library to get your reading challenge playboard and a calendar of activities. See our Summer Reading page for all the dates and info!
Why should I sign up my child or myself?
Reading is an important skill that we use throughout our entire lives! Starting a child reading at an early age helps foster a love of books, something that stays with us as we grow older. Our SRP not only encourages reading but helps to make it fun and exciting so everyone wants to keep reading. This year, we are offering prizes when participants read for different periods of time, which also acts as an incentive to keep reading!
What are the reading goals? What does that mean?
Our Home Run Rally will help participants keep track of how much time they spend reading this summer. Each participant will be given a baseball field playboard, with squares to color in to keep track of how many minutes you are reading. As you reach the bases, you can visit the library to collect a prize. If you make a home run by the end of the program, you’ll receive a free book as well as an entry to win one of the 6 grand prizes! We hope this will make reading a fun activity rather than a summer chore. You can read in any form you choose, just as long as you’re reading! (Adult participants will receive a bookmark tracking log.)
What happened to Reader Zone?
Reader Zone was a great tool for our past Summer Reading Challenges, but taking in participant feedback, we decided to continue with the paper tracking we started last year. We also felt that with the direction we wanted to go with the new challenge, Reader Zone didn’t provide the type of tracking we were looking for. We know using a paper “log” might seem a step backward, but we hope the visual of seeing your colored squares move toward the bases will be a fun enticement to keep reading for that home run!
Do I have to read library books?
No. We would love for you to visit the library and check out our books, but books read at daycare or grandparents' or a babysitter’s house, books checked out from other libraries, books borrowed from our Friends' Little Libraries, books from anywhere can be counted! We just encourage you to read!
What if my child isn't old enough to read on their own?
You can absolutely read aloud to your child and count that time for the child!
If my child or I read a book more than once, can I track that time?
Yes. We have removed the “read only once” rule. We want the reading challenge to be fun, and we understand some children enjoy reading the same book over and over. Any kind of reading encourages literacy, and that is our ultimate goal with our program!
Can I count audiobooks?
Yes, you can count audiobooks. You can also count ebooks, comic books, magazines…any kind of reading material.
Can I count ebooks?
Yes, you can count ebooks.
How long do we have to make a Home Run?
This year, the Summer Reading Challenge begins Monday, June 1, and ends Wednesday, July 22. Participants should collect their prizes before the end of the day on Wednesday, July 22. We will hold the grand prize drawings on Friday, July 24.
What are the prizes for reaching a base? What is the prize for making a Home Run?
Once you reach a base, stop in the library to spin the prize wheel! We have a variety of prizes that you could win, so you never know what you might get! (Participants in the Major League will earn a halfway mark prize, as well as a free book and grand prize entry when they reach the end.) If you achieve a Home Run, you will receive a free book and an entry to win one of 6 grand prizes. You can collect your base prizes at any time during the summer. We know the board can be completed within a few days but we hope you’ll take the summer to enjoy reading to achieve a Home Run.
How do I get my prizes?
Just come by the library once you reach a base or make a Home Run. We will make note of your achievement and give you your prize(s)!
How do I enter the grand prize drawings?
This year, there will be 6 grand prizes that you will be able to choose from to win. If you make a Home Run on your playboard, let us know before Wednesday, July 22, to receive an entry to win one of the prizes. We will draw for the grand prizes at the Summer Reading Wrap-Up event on Friday, July 24 at 10 am in the Services Building auditorium.
What are the grand prizes?
At this time, they are TBD. Stay tuned!