Public libraries are a great, free resource for families anytime but are especially valuable during the summer. Visit your local library to check-out books for summer reading, learning, and enjoyment.
Many libraries have summer reading programs to encourage summer reading and reward children who meet reading goals. Don’t hesitate to ask the staff for recommendations based on your child’s age and interests or check out the American Library Association’s summer reading list for children.
Use your library card to access free on-line books, magazines, movies, music and more from home. Visit your local library’s web site for resources and activities!
Don’t have a library card? Visit your nearest public library branch or apply online.
County Library Programs
Alameda County Libraries Imagine and Build Summer Adventure
Summer Adventure is officially underway! This year’s theme is Imagine and Build and we’re inviting you to think of new ways to shape your world. Visit any AC Library location, Mobile Library stop, or the Summer Adventure web site to participate. Complete an activity you enjoy, build on activity prompts, or imagine an activity of your own. Pick up an inspirational free book gift with your first entry. As you continue to imagine and build, you’ll earn chances to grab some fantastic prizes.
Contra Costa County Libraries Level Up at Your Library Summer Reading Program
This summer, Level Up at Your Library! Sign up with Beanstack to track your participation. Or print your own reading passport at home or visit your local library to pick one up. The whole family can have an adventurous summer of reading, activities, and events. Everyone who completes summer reading wins prizes, including a free book, and is entered into a drawing for a chance to win more amazing prizes.
Summer at Marin County Free Library
Time to have fun, join activities, make stuff, get together with friends, and enjoy a good book! The library’s got you covered – with exciting events and programs, and recommendations for great summer reads.
Napa County Libraries Summer Adventures
Read, attend fun library programs, and more with Napa County Library this summer! Log minutes and activities to earn badges.
San Francisco Public Libraries Summer Stride
Summer Stride is the Library’s annual summer learning, reading and exploration program. Challenge yourself and others to read, learn and listen with the Library this summer! Track 20 hours of reading, listening to audiobooks or participating in any Library activity on the Summer Stride tracker. After you complete the challenge, pick up your finishing prize featuring art from San Francisco illustrator Kenard Pak!
San Mateo County Libraries Summer Adventure
Summer Adventure is here! Read, Make and Explore as you complete the challenges in your Summer Adventure activity log for a chance to win prizes, like a $1,000 scholarship or tickets to see the San Francisco Giants! Pick up an activity log at your library, or print one at home. Youth ages 0-18 may receive a free book when they pick up a log in person, while supplies last. Color in a star for each challenge you complete. Once you’ve colored in all five stars, turn in your completed log at a library or submit a finisher form online.
Santa Clara County Libraries Level Up Your Summer
Get ready to press START on an epic summer of reading and adventure with the Santa Clara County Library District’s (SCCLD) Summer Reading Program: “Level Up at Your Library!” We’re inviting readers of all ages – kids, teens, and adults – to power up their imaginations and unlock new worlds through the magic of books. Dive into thrilling mysteries with unexpected twists, embark on library programs that pique your interests, and lose yourself in captivating stories filled with unforgettable characters. Claim your well-earned rewards while supplies last.
Santa Cruz County Libraries Color Our World Summer Reading Program
The annual library summer reading program is all about supporting summer learning through reading, programs, and events. Track how much you read this summer to win prizes and raffle tickets. Get the whole family involved reading and earning prizes!
Sonoma County Libraries Level Up Summer Reading
Join Sonoma County Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, an all-ages celebration of reading, play, and games! Keep track of your progress by logging the minutes you read.
Solano County Library Summer of Reading
Visit your local library to sign-up, then pick up your activity sheet and cool swag! Can’t make it to the library? You may register online and download/print an activity sheet below. Track reading minutes on an activity sheet for rewards. Weekly prize drawings for San Francisco Giants, San Francisco ferry passes, and family pack of In-N-Out burger cards.
City Library Programs
Belvedere Tiburon
Dive into adventure at the library this summer with our reading program for kids.
Burlingame
Make your summer legendary. Children receive a free paperback book when they pick up their first reading log.
Daly City
Sign up and complete this year’s reading challenge at your library or online. Receive a free book at any of the Daly City Public Library branches after signing up. Join us for some fun activities and events for children and families at your library this summer.
Hayward
Make the most of summer with free learning activities for all ages! The City of Hayward is excited to offer a variety of enriching and fun opportunities to keep young minds active throughout the summer of 2025. Join us for our Summer Reading Challenge, enjoy free meals and activities at Lunch at the Library. Whether your child is a curious reader, a budding scientist, or just looking for something fun to do, there’s something for everyone this summer—at no cost to families.
Larkspur
We have a Summer Reading Bingo game for you! Spend your summer reading and you can win fabulous prizes!
Los Gatos
Join our Summer Reading Challenge and read anything you want – books, ebooks, graphic novels, magazines, audiobooks – it all counts towards winning prizes. Log your reading and complete activity badges to win prizes from local businesses.
Menlo Park
Welcome to the Menlo Park Summer Reading Game, where we challenge you to track your reading, discover great books, enjoy community activities, and earn awesome prizes!
Mill Valley
Read S’More With Us This Summer! Read daily, earn prizes, and explore the great outdoors this summer at the library.
Mountain View
Read, learn and earn rewards!
Palo Alto
Get ready to take off! This year’s theme, Book a Trip, invites readers of all ages to explore new worlds, enjoy fun events, earn prizes, and make a difference.
Oakland
The Oakland Public Library offers a wide range of fun, educational, and creative activities for all ages. From science experiments, magic shows, cooking classes, crafting or gardening, the library has something for everyone this summer. Children who complete 20 days of reading over the summer can select a free book and enter to win additional prizes. In addition, free lunch will be available for youth ages 18 and under, weekdays from May 27 through Aug. 1, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Pleasanton
Earn rewards – and collect raffle tickets for chances to win cool prizes! Get a free book just for signing up, and for every 3 hours read, you can earn a reward and a raffle ticket. Use raffle tickets to enter drawings for prizes like a Playstation 5 console, a Nintendo Switch, Beats headphones, Squishmallows, board games, and more!
Redwood City
Visit any Redwood City Public Library location to sign up in-person or sign up online. Log 20 minutes of reading or listening each day and each time you try a new activity this summer. All reading counts- try listening to an audiobook or pick up a graphic novel or comic book!
San Anselmo
Visit the library to pick up your summer reading passport and receive a free goodie bag and book.
San Bruno
Take the summer reading challenge to earn free books.
San Jose
Get ready for a summer packed with adventure, learning, and prizes! Reading fuels fun and logging your reading will earn you a chance to win awesome prizes. Dive into new stories, discover cool resources, and make this your smartest summer yet!
San Leandro
Earn points when you read or listen to books, or complete activities. Use their points to “buy” prizes from the prize board. Everyone who earns 100 points by July 31 will receive an invitation to a special event.
San Mateo
Pick up a reading log and your free book. Return your completed reading log for a second free book and an entry for a prize drawing.
Santa Clara
Ready for a summer filled with stories, culture, and hands-on fun? Collect 30 points to complete your Summer Adventure to receive a free book and prize entry.
Sausalito
Ages baby through teen, stop by all summer long for free special programs, and pick up your Journey Board to track summer reading for prizes! When you pick up your board, you’ll get to pick one free book for starting, and earn one entry into the prize raffle. Return your completed board to the library to receive an additional free book, a pick from the prize bin, and a second raffle entry!
South San Francisco
Throughout the summer, free books and summer reading logs will be provided for youth age 18 and under. With each completed log, current SSF residents can enter for a chance to win San Francisco Giants tickets.
Sunnyvale
Receive a brand-new paperback book after signing up. Add your name to our Reader Wall in the Children’s Room. Read five or more books to enter our grand prize drawing
Watsonville
Register for the challenge and explore and participate in various activities and events this summer.
