Santa Clara County libraries roll out summer reading program

Patrons are invited to ‘Plant a Seed, Read.’

admin May 31, 2026 2 minutes read

The Santa Clara County Library District launches its summer reading program on June 1, encouraging patrons to “Plant a Seed, Read.”

One of the primary goals of summer reading is to avoid the “summer slide” among school-age children, and prevent the loss of skills and knowledge gained during the school year.

To get started, patrons can visit sccld.org/summer and sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge in Beanstack. Librarians have compiled suggested summer book lists for kids and teens. All children who read and log at least five books—including audiobooks, ebooks, comics and picture books—and complete one activity will receive a prize while supplies last. Prizes are also available for teens and adults.

The library district also has myriad events and activities planned for all ages as part of the summer reading program. Entomologist Stephanie Dole, aka the Beetlelady, will bring her Pop-up Bug Museum to the Campbell Library on June 10, 3-4 p.m. The program will include displays of terrestrial arthropods from around the world, live bug terrariums and activities suitable for all ages.

Parents and caregivers can also sign up children ages 0-5 for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at sccld.org/imaginationlibrary/. Each month a book, in English or Spanish, will be sent to their home. Santa Clara County recently reached the milestone of 100,000 books mailed, with the library district as the program’s lead local agency.