Dive into summer reading

Ahoy, Oak Park, let's read more!

Sign up for our summer reading program, "20,000 Reads Under the Sea." Kids can join with an Oak Park Public Library card at any library location and teens and adults can sign up at any library location and directly on our website. Find inspiring reading and viewing choices, entertaining events, online book recommendations, and drop-in fun all summer long. We want to share our love of reading with you and encourage lifelong learning throughout our community with motivating experiences for all ages.

The free summer reading program for kids, teens and adults runs Thursday, May 30, through Friday, July 26, and is brought to you by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library.

How high can we go?

Each week, we'll track how many total materials are checked out at all library locations. How high can we go? It's up to you!

Fun for kids

Designed for children ages 2 to 13, summer reading features motivating prizes, amazing entertainers, science programs, video games, crafts, and themed storytimes. In addition to being a fun way to engage the entire family, research shows that students who read over the summer keep their reading skills sharp, and are better prepared for school in the fall. We will offer a charitable reading option for tweens, read-aloud incentives for preschoolers, and even gerbil grams.

Families should be sure to check out:

Especially for teens

If you are 13 to 18, there are lots of ways to dive into summer reading, earning chances to win buried treasure. To start, know that one hour of teen time equals one entry. So read, or listen - audiobooks count, too! Volunteer. Attend a library event. Or complete a media review. All entries go into a weekly drawing for special prizes. So water you waiting for? Dive right in to submit your entries and track your progress online - it’s easy to under-sand. Sign up at any library location or join our summer reading program online.

Calling all adults

If you are 18 or older, let's go with the flow this summer, reading (or listening) to discover new interests, decrease stress levels and rekindle a love for reading. All entries go into a weekly drawing for special prizes. Sign up at any library location or join our summer reading program online.

Be a reading partner

Teens and adults can read to or with someone else for even more chances to win. Submit a title online or a ticket at any library location for every three hours you and a friend read together.

Earn chances to win great prizes

At the end of Summer Reading, teen and adult participants will be pooled, with winners randomly selected to win the adult or teen Grand Prize for Summer Reading 2013.