Summer Reading Programs for All Ages
Summer is the perfect time to slow down, explore new stories, and build reading habits. While school may be out, learning does not stop. In fact, literacy experts often talk about the “summer slide,” a loss of academic progress that can happen when children are not regularly reading during summer break. Even reading just a few minutes a day can help children maintain vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence before returning to school in the fall.
Reading also can help adults reduce stress, strengthen focus, continue learning, and model positive reading habits for young readers at home. Whether you are reading picture books, audiobooks, novels, magazines, or nonfiction, every page counts.
Here are a few programs and challenges that libraries across Cuyahoga County are offering for readers of all ages this summer:
Cleveland Public Library
ClevelandREADS brings readers ages 0-5 and grades K-12 together to discover books, strengthen reading skills, and stay connected through the power of stories. With books, reading lists, events, activities, and prizes, it makes reading both accessible and exciting. Families are supported every step of the way to keep reading going strong all summer long.
Cuyahoga County Public Library
CCPL’s Summer Reading Challenge is for kids, teens and adults to help grow literacy and learning skills in fresh, fun, no-pressure ways. Pre-registration began May 1 and the program runs from Jun 1 – Jul 31. Mark a space on the provided game board every time a goal is met. For every 10 days a goal is met, visit a local CCPL branch to pick up a prize.
East Cleveland Public Library
Visit the East Cleveland Public Library to sign up for the summer reading challenge or download and print ECPL’s Summer Program Guide to get your reading log.
Euclid Public Library
Friends of EPL Summer Reading Challenge invites readers of all ages to participate and earn prizes. This year’s theme is “Plant a Seed, Read! Young readers can earn prizes for every two hours of reading completed during the summer reading journey. Adults will be awarded by logging each book they read during the seven-week program.
Heights Libraries
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge has exciting prizes to all ages. Earn digital raffle tickets by logging reading progress and boost chances of winning by attending library programs, leaving book reviews, and completing other activities.
Lakewood Public Library
Lakewood Public Library offers separate summer reading clubs for youth and adults, making it easy for the whole family to participate. Readers can complete challenges, attend events, and earn prizes while discovering new books throughout the summer months.
Rocky River Public Library
RRPL Children and Teen Summer Reading challenge children ages 0-18 to track their reading to ear prizes.
Shaker Heights Public Library Adult Readers
The Shaker Starts Here Adult Reader’s Challenge is a mix of fun book prompts, library resources, branded swag, and a midsummer celebration! To participate, pick up a bingo board at the any Shaker Library branch or visit www.shakerlibrary.beanstack.org to get started. Completed rows get a Bingo and a prize!
Shaker Heights Public Library Shaker Reads
Shaker Reads challenges children ages 0-11 to mark off every day they read or are read to on a paper tracker or in Beanstack to earn badges. Earn badges at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days of reading. Anyone who reads for 30 days completes the program and receives the grand prize, a Shaker Reads water bottle in the color of their choice.
Westlake Porter Public Library
The Stars & Stories Summer Library Challenge starts June 1 and challenges readers of all ages to record each day they read on Beanstack or the library’s paper log. For every five days of reading, earn tickets for the grand prize drawings. Read for 15 days to earn a halfway prize and read for 30 days to earn a final prize. Complete activities to earn additional grand prize tickets through August 1. The game doesn’t end after day 30 — continue to read for more tickets to the grand prize drawings.
