Summer Reading Program

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!

EARLY REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Summer Reading FAQs

  • 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+). 

  • 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.

  • Participate in the Summer Reading Program by creating an account on Beanstack. 

Reading is Rewarding!

Click to enlarge

Let's Go for 5 Million Minutes in 2025!

You all read 4.7 million minutes last summer, but we know we can do better.

Join Harris County Public Library’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! We will update this page every week of summer reading so you can track our progress.

Art, Music, Theater & More All Summer Long!

Featured Events

Art at the Library

The library opens a universe of creativity this summer with arts and crafts programs galore!

Science at the Library

The library has fun down to a science! Join us all summer long for STEM programs with Mad Science, Houston Museum of Natural Science & More

Theater at the Library

This summer catch live theater at your library! Enjoy stories come to life presented by Books Alive, Bright Star, and More!

Music at the Library

From opera to hiphop and beyond! Your library is alive with the sound of music all summer long.

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.

COMING SOON!

HCPL Summer Reading Sponsors

Thank you! HCPL is grateful to our sponsors for their generous support of HCPL’s Summer Reading Program!  

The Astros Foundation
George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation
Harris County Department of Education
Harris County Friends of the Library
Houston Botanic Garden
Houston Dynamo & Dash Charities
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston Symphony

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?

 

  • 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.

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