Library’s Summer Reading Challenge: Still Time to Read, Have Fun, Win Prizes

​If your child hasn’t already registered for Virginia Beach Public Library’s (VBPL) Summer Reading Challenge, there’s still time to join the nearly 6,000 readers already signed up at www.VBgov.com/SRC. Just log your child’s summer reading and pick up any prizes before Aug. 13.

The annual Summer Reading Challenge offers age-appropriate reading goals and incentives for children ages birth to 12, with a goal of helping prevent 'summer slide,' the loss of skills that can occur during summer break.

"The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read for pleasure and to visit the library to select books and attend fun and enriching activities," said Katie Cerqua, VBPL programming and community outreach manager. "Selecting their own books based on their own interests helps foster a love of reading, which is foundational for building literacy skills and is tied to academic success."

Teens and adults also have until Aug. 13 to log their activities and reading in Camp Evergreen, VBPL's summer program for ages 13 and up, offering weekly challenges for a chance to earn badges and win prizes. So far more than 700 adults and nearly 500 teens have completed more than 2,000 activities, from crafts to cooking to technology and more.

Find free library programs for all ages and interests at www.VBgov.com/library-events. VBPL's Summer Reading Challenge and other programming is made possible through continued funding from the Friends of Virginia Beach Public Library and Virginia Beach Library Foundation.

About Virginia Beach Public Library

Virginia Beach Public Library includes a central library, a joint-use library in partnership with Tidewater Community College, seven area libraries and a public law library. Services include workforce development and job-search support, small business resources, computer and technology classes, early literacy classes and outreach, and local history archives and programs. In addition to books, music, magazines and movies in tangible and digital formats, the library provides online research tools accessible from home or work, and a variety of specialty collections. Visit www.VBgov.com/libraries for more information.