Gather your crew and get ready to read! Our 2023 Summer Reading Challenge begins on May 27 and ends on August 5. Join us as we work together to find new stories, new friends, and new experiences. You’ll earn chances to win one of our fabulous prizes, as well as free tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals game!
But I read all the time! What’s in it for me?
It’s always fun to be rewarded for something you already do! Plus, our reading game sheets have activities that encourage you to try a new author or genre, so this is great opportunity to get out of your reading comfort zone. If you’re stumped on what to try, you can pick a book off of our suggested reading list, or ask one of our friendly librarians for a recommendation!
I don’t have time to read. Why should I participate?
We hear that often from folks who are busy with work, family, and life in general. Some of our previous participants have mentioned that participating in our Summer Reading Challenge encouraged them to find time to read because they had a goal to work towards. We’ve also tried to make our reading game sheet easy to complete, by allowing you to stack activities together. For example, if you read a romance novel for an hour on a Tuesday, then that’s 3 activities completed! Listening to audiobooks is still reading, and with Libby, Hoopla, and your library card, you can download audiobooks to your phone or other device to listen anywhere you go. That’s a great option if you have a long commute or often work alone.
Can my kids or grandkids participate?
Yep, they can participate too! Our Summer Reading Challenge is open to all ages, though we have different game sheets for children and teens and for kids ages 5 and under. Maybe you could challenge each other to see who completes their game sheet first, or finishes the most before August 5!
Okay, you’ve convinced me. How do I sign up?
Fantastic! Registration for the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge begins on May 27. You can register using the form below, or come by the library and fill out a paper form. Once you’ve registered, we’ll give you a packet containing your reading game sheet and other information. You then have until August 5 to return your game sheet to get a reward and a chance to earn one of our fabulous grand prizes. You can also keep the challenge going by getting one of our bonus game sheets to earn more chances for a grand prize! Plus, we’ll be giving away ticket vouchers for St. Louis Cardinals games this summer!
We’re also planning fun special events! Check out what we have planned below, take a look at our calendar, or sign up for our weekly Wowbrary newsletter! Looking for our events for children? Check them out here: Summer Reading Challenge.
| Date | Event | Description | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 6 from 12-3:30 pm | OCOH COVID-19 Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic | Need your first COVID-19 vaccine or booster? We can help! Thanks to a partnership with Our Community, Our Health, BJC HealthCare, and Washington University School of Medicine, we will be hosting a vaccine pop-up clinic! | No registration needed |
| Wednesday, June 7 at 6 pm | Not a Book Club Book Club | Come and meet with us to discuss what you are reading, watching or listening to! For more information, please contact the library and ask for Taneesa. | No registration needed |
| Saturday, June 10 at 1 pm | SMART Start for Health | Want to make a healthy change but need motivation? Learn about the SMART Method of goal setting, and get started on your health journey! | No registration needed |
| Monday, June 12 at 6 pm | Readings on Race Book Club | Join us as we discuss An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States by Kyle T. Mays! | No registration required |
| Monday, June 12 at 6 pm | Cultural Cuisine | Learn about cuisine from around the world! This session, we’ll learn about Israeli food with Orly Peters of Deli Divine. | No registration required |
| Thursday, June 15 at 6 pm | Rhythms and Folklore of Africa | Kenya Ajanaku highlights cultural diversity through stories and illustrates African culture in an entertaining way. Audience participation involves hand-picked students dancing and playing traditional African instruments. | No registration needed |
| Saturday, June 17 from 9-12 pm | Orchestrating Diversity Open Rehearsal | Listen while this community orchestra prepares for upcoming performances. Orchestrating Diversity offers free classical music education to young students in an intensified summer educational program, and free year-round ongoing training for graduates of the summer program. | No registration needed |
| Tuesday, June 20 at 3 pm | Crafternoon | Enjoy an afternoon of crafting! For adults and children with adult supervision. This session, join us as we make ribbon cork boards. | Register here |
| Wednesday, June 21 at 6 pm | Cultural Cuisine | Learn about cuisine from around the world! This session, we’ll learn about Bolivian food with library staff member Yoli Renaud. | Register here |
| Wednesday, July 5 at 6 pm | Not a Book Club Book Club | Come and meet with us to discuss what you are reading, watching or listening to! For more information, please contact the library and ask for Taneesa. | No registration needed |
| Monday, July 10 at 6 pm | Readings on Race Book Club | Join us as we discuss You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar! | No registration required |
| Wednesday, July 12 at 6 pm | Cultural Cuisine | Learn about cuisine from around the world! This session, we’ll explore Cajun food with library staff member Taneesa Hal. | Register here |
| Saturday, July 15 at 1 pm | Hanji Calligraphy | Join us for a cultural and educational experience when Friends of Taiwan – Greater St. Louis will teach participants the basics of Taiwanese Calligraphy. | Register here |
| Tuesday, July 18 at 3 pm | Crafternoon | Enjoy an afternoon of crafting! For adults and children with adult supervision. This session, join us as we make tape-resist paintings. | Register here |
| Saturday, July 22 at 1 pm | Grupo Atlántico | Grupo Atlántico will perform traditional dances from the Caribbean region of Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, and others countries. Live drumming will be featured. There will be a short audience participation portion. | Register here |
| Wednesday, July 26 at 6 pm | Cultural Cuisine | Learn about cuisine from around the world! This session, we’ll learn about Spain with John Cline. | Register here |
| Tuesday, August 1 at 3 pm | Crafternoon | Enjoy an afternoon of crafting! For adults and children with adult supervision. This session, join us as we make decorative coasters. | Register here |