Summer Reading
Summer Reading Is Serious Fun!
Join us June 2 - August 2 for fun programs and activities. Log your reading all summer long to earn cool prizes!
Summer Reading FAQs
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The Summer Reading Program is open to readers of all ages! There are four separate age groups for the program: Early Literacy (0-4), Kids (5-11), Teens (12-17), and Adults (18+).Â
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No! You do not need a library card to sign up for the Summer Reading Program or to attend any library programs. However, you need a library card to borrow materials from the library or from the Digital Media Catalog. Visit the library card page and find the right card works for you.
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Participate in the Summer Reading Program by creating an account on Beanstack.Â
Let's Go for 5 Million Minutes this Summer!
Harris County read 4.7 million minutes last summer, but we know we can do better.
Join HCPL’s Summer Reading Program, log your reading, and help us reach 5 million minutes of reading in 2025. From June 2 to August 2, every second you read adds a brushstroke to a community masterpiece!
Summer Reading Tracker: Week 1
Registrations
13,937
Minutes Logged
1,704,250
Books Read
69,357
Reading is Rewarding!
WIN A BIKE FOR READING THIS SUMMER!
In partnership with Cycle Houston, HCPL will be giving away a bicycle to one lucky child at every HCPL branch during our Summer Reading Program this year!
Here’s how it works:
- Children ages 5 to 11 years must sign up for HCPL's Summer Reading Challenge on Beanstack, opens a new window.
- Earn 100 points or more on Beanstack by logging their reading by 11:59 PM on July 20.
- Children who reach 100 points will be automatically entered into the CYCLE Giveaway.
- Winners will be contacted the week of July 21
Requirements:
- Children must be ages 5-11
- The child must log 100 points or complete Level 1 of the SRP Challenge in Beanstack.
- Reading must be logged by 11:59 PM on July 20, 2025.
So make sure you’re signed up for Summer Reading this summer for a chance to win your child a bike JUST FOR READING!
Art, Music, Theater & More All Summer Long!
Featured Events
Art at the Library
Science at the Library
Theater at the Library
Music at the Library
Art at the Library
Science at the Library
Theater at the Library
Music at the Library
Featured Events
Featured Events
Dacamera- Kid's Concert
Robb Holladay's Magic Show!
Afternoon Adventures - Peter Pan
Artist Boat: Eco-Art Workshop
Dacamera- Kid's Concert
Robb Holladay's Magic Show!
Afternoon Adventures - Peter Pan
Artist Boat: Eco-Art Workshop
More Summer Reading Events
Summer Reading Challenges
COLOR YOUR WORLD WITH GREAT READS THIS SUMMER!
Our Summer Reading Challenges offer prompts to help you find new authors, new topics, and new genres for new reading experiences!
Summer Reading Challenges
Summer Reading Challenge #3: True Colors – Pride Reads
Challenge #2: Artfully Deceptive -- Mysteries & Thrillers
Summer Challenge #1: Colorful Past: Historical Fiction
HCPL Summer Reading Sponsors
Thank you! HCPL is grateful to our sponsors for their generous support of HCPL’s Summer Reading Program! Â
HCPL on Houston Life
Anjela Martinez, Assistant Programming Manager for Youth Services, and Delaney Daly, Branch Manager at Jacinto City Branch Library visit with the good folks at Click2Houston's Houston Life to talk about Summer Reading 2024.
Why summer reading?
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- Kids and teens who read for pleasure during the summer have to spend less time and energy relearning lost skills when school starts.
- As little as ten minutes a day of reading works wonders for children's language skills.
- All the special, fun summer activities at the library can motivate reluctant readers.
- Tracking the time they spend reading or the number of books they have read gives children a sense of accomplishment.
- HCPL's Summer Reading Program is fun for the whole family--from baby to seniors.
- You earn cool prizes for reading, attending library programs and doing other activities.
Get a Library Card
HCPL offers a variety of library cards- All free and available to Harris County residents! Find the right card for you and see all that the library has to offer.