Summer Reading Kick-off Events
Your passport to fun starts here! Join us to kick off the 2024 Summer Reading Program with the Deante Arts gaming truck and face painting, snowballs and refreshments from Snowball
Express LLC, and other family-friendly outdoor activities! Incentives will be given to all children, teens, and adults who sign up for Summer Reading, with an opportunity to win bigger prizes for reaching reading goals or attending library programs this summer.
4 to 6 PM: Monday, June 3 – Garyville Branch
4 to 6 PM: Tuesday, June 4 – LaPlace Branch
4 to 6 PM: Wednesday, June 5 – Edgard Branch
Summer Reading 2024 Registration opens June 1, 2024
Registration is also available in person at the LaPlace, Garyville, and Edgard library branches. Don’t forget to pick up your sign-up incentives and a Summer Reading Adventure Guide to track your progress!
Overview
Adventure begins at your Library with six themed weeks of free, interactive activities to combat the summer slide of learning loss. St. John the Baptist Parish Library’s annual Summer Reading Program will take place June 3rd – July 13th, offering creative ways for children and adults to explore all the library has to offer.
Libraries across the nation have traditionally hosted Summer Reading Programs to foster a love of reading among community members of all ages. As libraries have evolved over time into community hubs, Summer Reading has expanded beyond books. This year’s theme, “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” invites you to experience books and activities themed around Culture (June 3-8); Animals (June 10-15); Camping (June 15-22); STEM (June 24-29); Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (July 1-6); and Fantasy (July 8-13).
Sign-up incentives will be given to all participants with an opportunity to earn larger prizes by reaching reading goals or attending free programs, workshops, story times, and performances at any library branch.
Be amazed by magician David LeBouef, sip lemonade with your favorite princesses, and enjoy an animal extravaganza complete with reptile encounters and a pet photoshoot. The fun continues with Dubi’s Campfire Sing-Along, solar jewelry with the Louisiana Office of Energy, and hands-on Adventures in STEM with STEM NOLA. Tour a fire truck and explore the Library’s new MakerSpace technology such as 3D printer pens and programmable Edison bots. Dive into local culture each week with the River Parishes Tourist Commission – plan a family staycation and learn how to make Andouille and Christmas Eve bonfires. Then join the fantasy fun with Baby Yoda and dragon egg crafts, Disney musical bingo, and a glow-in-the-dark finale!
Registration will be available in person at each library branch and through our Online Registration Form, beginning June 1st.
All program times will be listed on our online calendar, in our Bookmark newsletter, and on social media.
How to Complete the Summer Reading Program
- Children ages 0 - 8: Read 8 or more books, attend 4 programs, and complete 5 challenges.
- Children ages 9-12: Read 4 or more books, attend 4 programs, and complete 5 challenges.
- Teens: Read 2 or more books, attend 2 programs, and complete 5 challenges.
- Adults: Read 3 or more books, attend 2 programs, and complete 5 challenges.
Bring your passport to each program and have library staff add a stamp.
Adventure challenges – Complete 5
- Get a library card or update your account
- Bring a friend to the library
- Encourage a friend to complete the Summer Reading Program
- Visit the new Reserve Branch (a grand opening will be held this summer)
- Create a story with your family
- Tell someone about a book you read
- Attend a “Be a Tourist in Your Backyard” program
- Collect Brag Tags to earn more prizes
- Read a book to a family member or pet
- Read a Tumblebook online
- Read something outside
- Visit www.stjohnlib.com/resources and discover a new resource
- Download something from Hoopla, OverDrive, Odilo, Teen Book Cloud, or Tumblebooks
- Make a craft at the Activity Table
- Travel using AtoZ World Culture online
- Access the New York Times Online resource
- Follow, tag, or comment on the St. John the Baptist Parish Library social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, or X)
- Draw or color your favorite book character
- Watch a Virtual Author Talk
- Tell someone about the HomeworkLA online resource
Collect Your Rewards
- Bring your passport and completed adventure guide to the library.
- Collect your rewards along with an entry ticket for grand prizes and a pass to attend the closing party.
Attend the Closing Event
Why Participate in Summer Reading?
The Summer Reading Program is a great way for kids, teens, adults, and families to bond and develop a love of reading and learning. By participating 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.
- Learn about programs and resources the library offers.
Find Books and More
- Visit our catalog to find materials inside the library.
- TumbleBookLibrary - A collection of children’s e-books 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!
- Teen Book Cloud - The collections includes graphic novels, enhanced novels, eBooks, classic literature, national Geographic videos, educator resources, and audiobooks.
- hoopla - Hoopla allows adults to instantly borrow e-books, comics, audiobooks, music, movies and television with no holds, and no waiting. And there's no need to worry about late fees; hoopla features an automated service that returns your item once your time is up. Content can be streamed to computers, tablets or smartphones, and can be downloaded to mobile devices to allow for offline viewing any time. You can check out up to 6 items from hoopla each month.
- Overdrive/ Libby - OverDrive is a collection of e-books, digital audiobooks, and interactive digital magazines offered by the library. E-books and audiobooks can be downloaded to your computer, tablet, (including Kindle), or mobile device. OverDrive e-book titles can be read online using OverDrive and audiobooks can be listened to online using OverDrive Listen. Streaming video is also available! Mobile and tablet customers, download the Libby app for iOS and Android.
- Odilo - Odilo offers an extensive catalog of over 800,000 e-books and 73,000 audiobooks in Spanish.
For a full list of all Summer Reading Programs, please refer to our online calendar.