Summer Reading Program

St. John the Baptist Parish, are you ready for our annual Summer Reading Program? This year's theme, All Together Now, invites you to explore our community together through fun activities, games, programs, and lots of opportunities to read! Join us at all St. John the Baptist Parish Library branches from Monday, June 5, through Saturday, July 15, 2023. The Summer Reading Program offers creative and fun ways to build a love for reading.

The Summer Reading Program is an excellent way for kids, teens, adults, and families to bond and develop a love of reading and learning. By taking part in the program, you: 

  • Are motivated to read. 
  • Develop positive attitudes about reading, books, and the library. 
  • Maintain or improve reading skills during summer vacation. 
  • Have access to fun learning experiences. 
  • Can make new friends and more! 

    Sign up at your local Library location or use our Online Registration Form starting June 5. Then read books and earn rewards for tracking your reading and meeting goals! There are reading challenges and incentives for taking part. In addition, we offer online and in-person programs to beat the summer's heat.   Visit one of our library branches for FREE programs, workshops, Storytimes, and performances for all ages throughout the summer. Find all program listings in our Event Calendar and our Bookmark newsletter.

    Here are a few ways to keep reading, learning, and having fun through our libraries this summer.

    1. Read on the Go with eBooks and audiobooks using our library's digital checkout for audio and eBooks. Download the Hoopla, Libby, and Odilo apps to your phone or tablet.
    2. Attend a Show or Activity. Talented performers like magician David LeBeouf, the New Orleans Opera Association, and the St. John Theatre will join us this summer! Join in collaborative play with the NOLA Games on Wheels gaming truck and Laser Tag. In addition, please take advantage of our free programs, such as Storytimes, book clubs in-house and online, cooking, genealogy and financial literacy classes, activity tables, craft projects, and STEM activities such as building a solar oven. Don't forget to come to see Dubi and Mother Goose and take part in his interactive movie, Bedtime with Dubi. We offer outdoor Storytimes in local St. John the Baptist Parish Parks for families who want to take a more cautious approach. Please check our calendar for more details.
    3. Learn a New Skill. Summertime can be an excellent time for kids, teens, and adults to explore a new skill. Our libraries offer items beyond books and movies. Join our computer classes, explore our databases to learn a new language, or even pick up a new hobby. No matter your interest, the sky's the limit at your local library.
    4. Express Your Creativity. Enjoy summer and year-round programming for every type of kid. Our libraries offer story times and early literacy activities for preschoolers. In addition, our libraries are innovating programs to engage youth in everything from cooking to encouraging reluctant readers. There is something at the library for everyone. 

          Find Books and More for Kids

          • Find children's books, DVDs, CDs, and more in our catalog. 
          • Tumble Book Library - A collection of children's eBooks with more than 1100 titles for grades K-6, including unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French. Plus, the collection features Graphic Novels - a student favorite!
          • BingePass - A hoopla BingePass gives you days of unlimited access to great online content with a single borrow! Try Hellosaurus, Kidz Vidz, GoKidGo, Highlights magazine, STEAM Powered Kids, and Cuentos para niños en Español TODAY! It is a great way to discover new entertainment, try your hand at a new skill, or learn about a new topic. 

            Find Books and More for Teens

            • Teen Book Cloud - The collections include graphic novels, enhanced novels, eBooks, classic literature, National Geographic videos, educator resources, and audiobooks. 
            • Learning Express 3.0 – This comprehensive interactive learning platform offers tests, courses, and career preparation for students and adults.
            • hoopla - Instantly borrow teen favorites such as comics, music, movies, and television with no holds and no waiting. Content includes what's trending, such as the soundtrack for the latest The Little Mermaid motion picture. Try streaming content to computers, tablets, or smartphones or downloading it to mobile devices for offline viewing at any time. You can check out up to 8 items each month.

              Find Books and More for Adults

              • hoopla - Allows adults to instantly borrow eBooks, comics, audiobooks, music, movies, and television with no holds and no waiting. And there is no need to worry about late fees; hoopla features an automated service that returns your item once your time is up. Try streaming content to computers, tablets, or smartphones or downloading it to mobile devices for offline viewing at any time. You can check out up to 8 items each month. 
              • Odilo - Odilo offers an extensive catalog of over 800,000 eBooks and 73,000 audiobooks in Spanish. Perfect for our patrons who speak this language. 
              • Overdrive – Download this collection of eBooks, digital audiobooks, and interactive digital magazines to your computer, tablet (including Kindle), or mobile device. Streaming video is also available! In addition, mobile and tablet customers download the Libby app for iOS and Android.
              • Library Speakers Consortium – Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.

                For a full list of all Summer Reading Programs, please refer to our online calendar.