Flyer courtesy of Yolo County

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - Yolo County Library’s annual Summer Reading Program is underway as of June 1 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 15. Children, teens and adults are invited to participate and earn prizes by logging their reading and taking part in activities and programs inspired by this year’s theme, Unearth a Story.

Everyone who signs up for the program can choose a free book from a selection available at their local branch library. Children ages 0-12 who complete the program will receive an additional free book, a medal, and certificates for a free kid’s meal at Panda Express and Raising Cane’s. Teens ages 13-17 who finish the program will receive another free book and their choice of a medal or tote bag. Adult finishers will receive a free book and tote bag. All program finishers may also complete a bonus challenge to earn an additional free book.

New this year, finishers will receive a voucher which is redeemable for two tickets to a 2026 River Cats game. Participants who complete the program and return to the library by Aug. 15 will also be entered into a grand prize drawing. Additional prizes may be available at select branches; participants are encouraged to check with their local library for details. Prizes may be picked up through the end of August, while supplies last.

Participants are encouraged to track the books read, log reading minutes and complete activities to earn badges online through the Beanstack platform on the web or via the app. Parents and caregivers can create a single-family account to easily track reading for themselves and their children. Registration instructions and additional information are available at www.YoloCountyLibrary.org/Summer. Paper gameboards will also be available at all library branches.

Summer reading programs help children and teens maintain and strengthen literacy skills during the summer months while fostering a lifelong love of reading. These programs also encourage adults and caregivers to model reading habits and support literacy development at home. Participants from prior years shared that the variety of prizes, great selection of books, fun activities and interactive reading challenges motivated them to read more throughout the summer.

In addition to the reading challenge, Yolo County Library will host a variety of free events and activities throughout the summer at library branches across Yolo County. Programs will include dinosaur-themed arts and crafts, animal encounters, magic and puppet shows, and musical performances. Community members are encouraged to follow the library on social media for updates and event announcements. A full schedule of Summer Reading Program events is available on the library’s online calendar at www.YoloCountyLibrary.org/Events. 

The Summer Reading Program is free and made possible through the support of the Yolo County Library Foundation, the various Friends of the Library groups, Raising Cane’s, Panda Express, the Sacramento River Cats and First 5 Yolo. Additional community sponsors including Lamppost Pizza, Woodstock’s Pizza, Crumbl Cookies, and Nugget Markets have generously donated prizes to support local participants.

For more information or to sign up, visit your local Yolo County Library branch or www.YoloCountyLibrary.org/Summer. Connect with Yolo County Library on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at @yolocountylibrary.