It’s time to start reading. And prizes are involved.
The summer reading programs for both the San Diego Public Library and San Diego County Library systems begin on Sunday and continue through Aug. 31.
The programs are free for everyone — from infants being read to by family through senior citizens. Any type of reading counts, including books, magazines and newspapers.
Participants need to complete a combination of reading 10 books, for 10 hours or completing 10 library activities. The 10 can be all of one option or a mix of options. Once their reading log is filled, participants can turn the to redeem prizes.
The San Diego Public Library’s program, offered at all branches including the Rancho Bernardo Library, is themed “Level Up at Your Library.” Participants can at sandiego.gov/summerreading or go to any branch to pick up a paper version of the reading log.
The Rancho Bernardo Library is at 17110 Bernardo Center Drive.
As for the prizes, for children up to 11 will receive a book; es for two to the San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum and San Diego Automotive Museum; and one to the Children’s Discovery Museum.
For teens (ages 12-17) the prizes are a book and es for two to the Natural History, Model Railroad and Automotive museums. By just g up, teens will also be entered to win a free plush toy. If they finish the program, they will also be entered to win a Pop Mart Labubu Tasty Macarons Blind Box.
Adults will receive a free book from participating Friends of the Library Book Sales and Used Bookstores and a for two to the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Youth Services Librarian Lea Hernandez said last year the RB Library had about 1,000 participants. Online logs were submitted by 250 in the infant to age 5 group, 350 in the ages 6 to 11 group, 70 teens and 300 adults. Others submitted paper logs.
The libraries will also have extra activities. In Rancho Bernardo, adults can create patriotic wreaths on June 9, teens can make birdhouses on June 17, a California State Parks Ranger will lead storytime on June 18, the animal show Zovargo will be featured on June 25 and a family board game day will be held on June 26. Some events require advance registration, so check with the library for specific activities.
The San Diego County Library’s program will also be offered at all branches, including the 4S Ranch Library at 10433 Reserve Drive and the Poway Library at 13137 Poway Road.
4S Ranch Library Branch Manager June Zhou said the county system is switching to a new summer reading program online registration platform called Beanstack that will be available on the county’s website at sdcl.org starting June 1.
Like the city library version, prizes will be awarded for reading 10 books, for 10 hours or completing 10 library activities — or a combination of those options.
She said the children will receive a free book, two es to the Automotive and Natural History museums and a to the Children’s Discovery Museum. Teens will also receive a free book, while adults will get a tote bag. All participants will also be entered into drawings held at the program’s conclusion for prizes such as gift cards to local businesses.
Area businesses that would like to donate gift cards can their local county library branch, Zhou said.
The county branches will also be offering a wide variety of free, extra programs throughout the summer for those of all ages.
