Summer Reading

Join us for the Albany Reads SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

June 24 – August 31, 2022

We have programs for all ages, in-person and virtual ways to participate, and fun prizes for all. 

View the July/August program guide | Visit the online calendar

Watch a quick video about how the program works and see what prizes you can earn!

 

QUICK LINKS:

Registration Form (all ages) | READsquared | GoodReads

Growing Readers Tracker 1 (ages 0-4) | Growing Readers Tracker 2 (ages 0-4)

Youth Tracker (ages 5-17) | Youth Tracker Extended Challenge  (ages 5-17)

Adult Tracker (ages 18+) 

 

REGISTER:

Growing Readers (0-4) and Youth (5-17)

(1) In-person: Stop by your local branch, fill out a registration form, and receive a paper tracker.

(2)  Online: Sign up on the READsquared website or free app for Android and for IOS devices. When using the app, you’ll have to type “Albany Public Library, NY” into the search box to connect to our system.

Adults (18+)

(1) In-person: Stop by your local branch, fill out a registration form, and receive a paper tracker. 

(2) Online with READsquared: Sign up on the READsquared website or free app for Android and for IOS devices. When using the app, you’ll have to type “Albany Public Library, NY” into the search box to connect to our system.

(3) Online with Goodreads: Create a Goodreads account and join the “Albany Public Library Group.”

 

READING CHALLENGES AND PRIZES FOR EVERY AGE:

Growing Readers | Ages 0-4

Take the challenge and read 100 books to your preschooler this summer. Receive bubbles when you register. Check in halfway through and receive a book. And once you complete 100 books read, you’ll receive an Albany Reads sand pail and shovel.

Youth | Ages 5-17

Challenge yourself to read 10 hours or more this summer. Use the tracker to keep track of your reading in 15-minute increments. Prizes are given out at the two-hour, five-hour, and 10-hour mark. Still want to read more? Challenge yourself to read 25 hours and receive an awesome t-shirt and the admiration of our librarians!

Adults | Ages 18+

Take the summer challenge to read 10 books in nine weeks! Too much of a challenge? Then simply track the number of pages read and get to 1,500 to complete the challenge. When you’re done, you can pick up an APL t-shirt. Don’t forget to check out our Goodreads group for book suggestions, to chat with fellow readers, and to get even more out of summer reading.

 

QUESTIONS?

Call or email us with any questions you may have about the Summer Reading Challenge | (518) 427-4300 | albanyreads@albanypubliclibrary.org

 

FOLLOW THE FUN AND ADD YOUR OWN PHOTOS:

Find us on FacebookTwitter, & Instagram @AlbanyNYLibrary

And don’t forget to include #AlbanyReadsSummer22 on all your posts!

 

SUGGESTED BOOKS FOR OUR WEEKLY SUMMER READING THEMES:

We have book lists for all age groups posted on our READsquared page.

 

Week 1 | June 27-July 3

Theme for All Ages: See the Sea

Book Lists: Growing Readers | Picture Books | Kids | Teens | Adults

 

Week 2 | July 4-July 10

Theme for Youth & Teens: Summer Fun | Theme for Adults: Book Club Picks

Book Lists: Growing Readers | Picture Books | Kids | Teens | Adults 

 

Week 3 | July 11-17

Theme for Youth: Space | Theme for Teens: Exploration | Theme for Adults: Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Book Lists: Growing Readers | Picture Books | Kids | Teens | Adults 

 

Week 4 | July 18-July 24

Theme for Youth & Teens: Outdoor Adventures | Theme for Adults: Help Yourself

Book Lists: Growing Readers | Picture Books | Kids | Teens | Adults 

 

Week 5: July 25-July 31

Theme for Youth & Teens: Strange Creatures | Theme for Adults: Mystery

Book Lists: Growing Readers | Picture Books | Kids | Teens | Adults 

 

Week 6: Aug. 1-Aug. 7

Theme for Youth & Teens: All About Us | Theme for Adults: I Know What You Read Last Summer

Book Lists: Growing Readers | Picture Books | Kids | Teens | Adults 

 

Week 7: Aug. 8-Aug. 14

Theme for Youth & Teens: Heroes | Theme for Adults: Who is Your Hero?

Book Lists: Growing Readers | Picture Books | Kids | Teens | Adults 

 

Week 8: Aug. 15-Aug. 21

Theme for Youth & Teens: Funny Favorites | Theme for Adults: Humor Me (Laugh Out Loud)

Book Lists: Growing Readers | Picture Books | Kids | Teens | Adults 

 

Week 9 | Aug. 22-Aug. 28

Theme for All Ages: Read What You Want!

 

Find a book from the library | Read an eBook on OverDrive/Libby or Hoopla (if you’re new to these free eServices, be sure to have your library card number handy to sign up)