Read Books, Have Fun, Win Prizes: Library Kicks off Children’s Summer Reading Challenge; Programs for All Ages

Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL) kicks off its annual Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) today, encouraging children to read and engage in enriching activities during the upcoming school break. The program, which runs from June 6 to Aug. 13, 2022, sets age-appropriate reading goals and offers incentives and activities for children ages birth to 12. Register at www.VBgov.com/SRC.

"The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read for pleasure and engage in fun, enriching activities to help prevent 'summer slide,' the loss of skills that can occur during summer break," said Katie Cerqua, VBPL programming, and community outreach manager.

The reading goal for children ages 5 to 12 is 1,000 minutes – just 20 minutes a day, five days a week. Children unlock virtual badges by logging reading and completing activities; badge books may be picked up at any VBPL location, while supplies last. While the primary goal of SRC is to keep school-aged children engaged and reading, there is a Read to Me program for children ages birth to 5, with a goal for parents and caregivers to read 20 books together with their children during summer. Prizes for both programs are a new book to keep and a coupon for a free treat.

For teens and adults, VBPL offers the summer program, Camp Evergreen, which encourages participation in a variety of fun activities, including reading, for the chance to earn badges and prizes.

In addition to summer challenges, VBPL offers year-round reading programs, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, to spark a love of books and reading in young children, and Passport to Adventure for avid readers ages 18 and older who enjoy the challenge of an annual reading goal.

VBPL's Summer Reading Challenge and other programming are 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.