We LOVE our local libraries! They are wonderful places to borrow books, movies, games, and more. They also offer educational opportunities and fun experiences for kids and adults throughout the year. One of our favorite programs is the summer reading program! Each Stateline area library offers their own summer reading program with different prizes and rules.
The library programs are listed by city. If you are a resident in the city, you will be able to sign up for a library card and participate in the program for FREE! Be sure to a valid form of ID and proof of residency (bill, etc.) when signing up.
North Suburban Library District
Read Beyond the Beaten Path
May 31 – July 23, 2022
Locations: North Suburban Library District
6340 N. Second Street, Loves Park, IL
5562 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, IL
Kids can record minutes read using Beanstack or a paper log that you can pick up at the library along with their Summer Reading Club To Go bag. Complete reading challenges and turn in a log by July 23rd to be included in a drawing for a camping gear set.
Program events:
- Special Event Tuesdays: Check out pre-recorded shows through the NSLD Facebook page about nature topics including squirrels, nature play, nature walks, animal evidence and more. Go here to view.
- June 21: Annual Stuffed Pet Parade at the Macktown Forest Preserve (2221 Freeport Rd., Rockton, IL) from 2 pm – 3:30 pm. Kids can bring their favorite stuffed animal, do a scavenger hunt,, tour historic sites with Macktown Living History, then eat a frozen treat from Culver’s. Scoopie will be making an appearance too.
- June 26: Pool Party at Sand Park Pool in Loves Park from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
- July 19: Pool Party at Walt Williamson Pool in Rockton from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
- August 6: End of Summer Bash at the Northeast YMCA from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Enjoy a night of swimming, jumping in a bounce house, basketball and games. Register after July 11th here.
Beloit Public Library
Summer Reading Challenge
June 10 – August 10, 2022
Location: Beloit Public Library
605 Eclipse Blvd, Beloit, WI
Sign up for the summer reading challenge which encourages kids to read for 300 minutes this summer in partnership with the Beloit Sky Carp. For every 100 minutes read, kids will receive three different prizes. At 100 minutes, they will receive a free Culver’s custard coupon, at 200 minutes they will receive a stress ball baseball, and at 300 minutes they will receive a baseball sling bag. Three grand prizes of a Sky Carp t-shirt, hat, baseball, and two tickets to the August 10th game, and the honor of throwing out the first pitch will be awarded on August 1st.
Program events:
- June 10: Kick-off Party with Sky Carp mascots, Culver’s custard, and six baseball-themed activities.
- August 10: Library Night at The Ballpark at ABC Stadium
Ida Public Library (Belvidere)
Read Beyond the Beaten Path
June 4 – July 28, 2022
Location: Ida Public Library
320 N State St, Belvidere, IL
Read for 20 minutes per day and complete challenges to earn raffle tickets every week for prizes. All ages are welcome. Sign up at the circulation desk and pick up a log sheet each week.
Program events:
June 4: Kick-off Party from 11 am – 1 pm with local business booths, crafts, an interactive choose your adventure walk, glitter tattoos, Hammy the IceHog, Sweet Susan’s food truck and more.
August 12: Finisher’s party at 6 pm with an outdoor movie, snacks, raffle drawings, and finisher’s prizes.
Cherry Valley Public Library
Oceans of Possibilities
May 31 – August 5, 2022
Location: Cherry Valley Public Library
755 E State St, Cherry Valley, IL
Kids can read and record their minutes using Beanstack to earn fun rewards and badges including free ice cream from Cattle & Cream, a free book when they reach their goal, and more. This year, kids can record minutes and activities every week to be entered into a weekly prize drawing. If you complete your goal by August 5, 2022, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a vacation getaway. Register online here.
Rockford Public Library
Travel Through Time
June 4 – August 20, 2022
Locations: Rockford Public Library
214 N. Church Street, Rockford, IL
6685 E. State Street, Rockford, IL
1238 S. Winnebago Street, Rockford, IL
Kids can track summer reading using the Beanstack app to qualify for prizes for every 500 minutes read. They will also get a free book when they finish 1,500 minutes. Sign up here.
Program events:
- June 4: Kick-Off Party in the Riverfront Museum Park parking lot from 10 am – 1 pm. Enjoy crafts and games, and borrow books from the Mobile Library. The first 800 kids will get a free t-shirt.
- June 9: Back to the Future Showing at the Nordlof Center from 6 pm – 8 pm. Recommended for kids 9 and up.
- June 13: Squid Ink Craft at Montague Branch from 4 – 4:30 pm. Register here.
- June 18: Paint a Rocket Ship at Hart Interim Branch from 1 pm – 3 pm.
- June 18: Murder, Mayhem and Mysteries at Hart Interim Branch from 1 pm – 2:30 pm. (Teens only)
- June 28: Mason Jar Aquarium at Montague Branch from 5:30 – 6 pm.
- July 11: Grow With Us and plant seeds at the Montague Branch from 4 – 4:30 pm. Register here.
- July 14: E.T. Showing at the Nordlof Center from 6 – 8 pm. Recommended for kids 7 and up.
- July 16: Make a Tiny Time Capsule at the Hart Interim Branch from 1 – 2 pm.
- July 23: King Tut and Mummies at the Hart Interim Branch from 2 – 3 pm. Register here.
- August 13: Dragons Love Tacos and Time Machines at the Hart Interim Branch from 1 – 2 pm.
- August 13: A League of Their Own Party and Screening at the Nordlof Center from 3 – 6 pm. Wear your baseball or Peaches outfit.
- August 20: Meet the Robinsons at the Nordlof Center from 2 – 4 pm. Recommended for kids 6 and up.
Talcott Free Library (Rockton)
Reading Beyond the Beaten Path
May 31 – July 30, 2022
Location: Talcott Free Library
101 E Main St, Rockton, IL
Kids can track their reading on the READsquared app to earn points or by using a paper log that they can pick up at the library. Once they’ve reached their goal, they will earn a completion certificate that they can print out. Sign up here.
South Beloit Public Library
Oceans of Possibilities
June 6 – August 6, 2022
Location: South Beloit Library
630 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, IL
Kids can record their reading on an at-home log sheet. Kids have a goal of 20 minutes of reading per day for 5 days per week. There will be weekly incentive prizes as well as prizes for 500 and 1,000 minutes read. Kids will get a free book and M and M Dari Ripple coupon. There will also be a family Bingo card that kids can complete to enter a drawing for a $15 Flying Pig giftcard or a $30 Rock Cut State Park Concessions gift card.
Hedberg Public Library (Janesville)
Oceans of Possibilities
June 6 – August 7, 2022
Location: Hedberg Public Library
316 S. Main St., Janesville, WI
Kids can pick up a lanyard and button or sticker from the library and record their minutes on the Beanstack app. Kids can win prizes weekly and enter in drawings for prizes. Register here.
Woodstock Public Library
Oceans of Possibilities
June 1 – July 30, 2022
Location: Woodstock Public Library
414 W. Judd St., Woodstock, IL
Kids can pick up a reading log from the library or record their minutes on the Beanstack app. Kids can choose a brand new book for every completed log. Register here.
Milton Public Library
Read Beyond the Beaten Path
June 23 – August 21, 2022
Location: Milton Public Library
403 E. High St., Milton, WI
Kids can record their reading on the Milton website here.
Head over to your local library and get your kids signed up for the summer reading program today! Email us at hello@statelinekids.com if we missed your library’s event!
More Summer Fun Here…
