Youth Summer Reading

Pre-K Summer Reading, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Lincoln Library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a fun, exciting, and free way to start your child on the path to success! Any child ages birth to five years can participate, and not just during the summer. Just follow these steps:

1. Register: Sign up in person at Lincoln Library’s Children’s Room, or online at Beanstack!
2. Track Your Reading: Every time you read with your child record the book on Beanstack or have them color in one of our nifty Reading Logs!
3. Every Book Counts: Even if your child wants to hear the same book again and again, you can count it each time. You can also count the books your child hears at storytime, in daycare or preschool, or with a friend or family member, as long as your child listens to the entire book.
4. 100-Book Milestones: Each time you read 100 books, bring your reading record to the library to receive a special reward, and take home a new reading record for your next 100 books.

Grades K-5 Summer Reading

Reading is as unique as the child holding the book. Some are strong right out of the gate, and some need a little extra help. At Lincoln Library we’ve tried to shape our Children’s Summer Reading programs to be as accommodating to every type of reader, breaking it down by grades, as well as opening up the different formats a child can read, and how they read.   

1. For those entering Grades K-2, children will receive a prize for every 5 books they read, up to 20 books. Once completed, they’re done for the summer. This includes being read to, audio books, graphic novels and magazines.  
2. For those entering Grades 3-5, children will receive a prize for every 3 hours of reading completed, up to 12 hours of reading. Once completed, they’re done for the summer. This includes being read to, audio books, graphic novels and magazines.  
3. Children can either participate using our online app, Beanstack, or by picking up a physical Summer Reading Log by visiting Lincoln Library.   
4. We’ll also be hosting a weekly book raffle, with kids putting in their name each week to win a free book, with a limit of one raffle ticket per week for each child.

Camp Compass and SCOPE

For a second year we’re pleased to be partnering with Compass for Kids’ summer program, Camp Compass, helping to instill the power of literacy! We’ll also pleased to announce we’ll be working with District 186’s summer program, Project SCOPE.

1. Children enrolled in Camp Compass and Project SCOPE will automatically be enrolled in a specially designed reading program, with a new prize each week for every child who reads and remembers to bring their Summer Reading Log with them to camp!
2. This doesn’t exclude Compass or Project SCOPE enrollees from also participating in Lincoln Library’s other programs. Kids can choose to come into the library or sign up with Beanstack for our standard Summer Reading Game.

• Family Storytime on Lincoln's Lawn, Every Thursday, 10:30 am, June 2^nd – July 28^th
  • Join us on the lawn of Lincoln’s Home Site (located directly across from Lincoln Library on Capitol Avenue) for sun-soaked stories, songs and movement! This storytime has something for everyone! DROP INS WELCOME! For all ages & their families. Note: In the case of inclement weather, storytime will take place inside the Library.
• Movie Mondays, Every Monday, 2:00 pm, June 20^th-July 25^th (excludes July 4^th) 
  • Come in from the summer heat and watch a movie in our air-conditioned theater. We’ll bring the popcorn! For all ages & their families. Carnegie North, 1st floor of the Library. 
• Take & Makes, June and July
  • Our popular take & make crafts and activities will continue throughout June and July. Stop by Lincoln Library’s Youth Services Department and pick one up! And don’t forget to send us a photo of the finished product!​​​​​​​
• And so much more! 
  • Keep an eye on the events calendar, because there is something for everyone. Follow us on Facebook and download the library app to make sure you don't miss a thing.