Summer Reading

A green watercolor slide with the text "Summer Reading 2024: June 8-August 16. Raffle Prizes, Events, and more for Children, Teens, & Adults!" with a picture of a macaw parrot carrying a yellow banner with the Summer Reading theme of "Read, Renew, Repeat"

Summer Reading 2024 starts on Saturday, June 8 and runs through Friday, August 16! This 10 week run makes it our longest summer reading EVER, 20% longer than previous years! Also special for this year: we have a Summer Reading Program for adults, too! Join us for reading rewards, special events, and more! Our theme this year is "Read, Renew, Repeat." Our Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library.

Why participate in Summer Reading?  You can get raffle tickets for the reading you do! Children and Teens get one raffle ticket for every hour they read, and adults get one raffle ticket for every book they read. What are the raffle tickets for? A wide variety of gift cards, prizes, and more!

On Paper and Online:

All parts of summer reading (registration, time tracking, and raffle tickets) are available both in person and online this year. Once you register and Summer Reading has begun, you can keep track of your reading on paper or virtually. You can also mix-and-match between paper and virtual logging depending on what works better for you and your family.

Paper tracking works by keeping track of your time or number of books read read on a reading log. For Pre-K and Elementary School, you then bring your log in to get your stickers or raffle tickets. Adults and Teens would fill out the appropriate amount of paper raffle tickets and insert them in their desired prize box(es).

Online Summer Reading gives you the option to log your time or get virtual raffle tickets through Beanstack. If you also sign up for the online version, you can still log on paper and/or collect paper tickets if you prefer (and vice versa).

Why use the online summer reading?

  • If you have a ton of tickets to fill out at one time, it can be easier than writing them all out by hand.
  • Going on vacation? You can enter in your raffle tickets from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
  • You can’t lose your summer reading log.
  • You might like virtual time logging and find it easier than the paper version.
  • It does the math for you—13 minutes there, 75 minutes there, it will add it all up into hours.

You can use Beanstack as a website or an app, and use it along side of the paper version of summer reading if you'd like to (examples: you can log your time virtually and come in person to get paper tickets, or just use the online version for when you are on vacation, etc.)

How do you register for Summer Reading? 

  • Register in person at the library anytime during our open hours on or after Saturday, June 8, or
  • Online via the Beanstack App (Apple App Store or Google Play Store for Androids) on our after Thursday, June 1, or
  • Online via the Beanstack Website on or after Saturday, June 1

Read on to find out more about our Summer Reading Program, raffles, events, and more!

Summer Reading 2024 Rules

Once Summer Reading begins on Saturday, June 8, you can start tracking your reading as soon as you are signed up! You can track your reading on a paper log from the library, OR through the BeanStack App or Website, regardless of which way you register. If you like, you can get signing up out of the way early by pre-registering on Beanstack starting on June 1!

For your summer reading goals, any type of reading counts (regular books, ebooks, listening to audiobooks, school book reading, reading out loud to someone else, etc.)

Your reading only counts once you register for Summer Reading, so we recommended registering ASAP! You can enter in your times as often as you like. All entries must be received by Friday, August 16, 2024. No exceptions made. Paper ticket entries are due by 5pm on Friday, August 16 while virtual ticket entries are due by 11:59pm on Friday, August 16.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library.

Age Groups

Children entering Kindergarten and younger may participate in our Pre-K Summer Reading Program. Read every day with a parent or caregiver! Keep track of the days you read and get a sticker or bead for each day read. To log your reading, you can get a paper log or track your reading on our new and improved Summer Reading Software, Beanstack!

New this year: parents can choose a sticker log OR a Read for Beads necklace for their Pre-K children to get to track their reading. Upon registration, get your choice of a blank Sticker Book or Brag Tag & Necklace. Throughout the summer, come in to redeem either 1 sticker for each day read or 1 bead for each day read.

You can also participate in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten alongside our Pre-K Summer Reading Program! For every book you read, get one sticker! If you read all 1000 books, you get a Completion Certificate and you can get your picture put on our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Wall of Fame! Each and every book you read counts. If you read the same book over and over, it counts each time! To log your reading, enter each title you read on a paper log you pick up from the library, or on Beanstack (the virtual 1000 Books Before Kindergarten will remain up all year round on Beanstack, so you can continue using it in the fall and beyond if you'd like).

Happy Reading!

Children entering Grades 1-5 may participate in our Children's Summer Reading Program. Read as much as you can this summer! 1 hour read = 1 raffle ticket for different prizes! The more you read, the more entries you have to win one of our big prize drawings at the end! Keep track of how much time you read in minutes or hours and log it on your paper log or online through Beanstack, our online Summer Reading program. You can then submit your tickets either in person as paper tickets, or online as virtual tickets. Each hour you read also gets you an hourly bead with our new Read for Beads program!

Hourly Raffle

Once you register for summer reading, keep track of your time reading! Like years past, for every hour you read, you earn one raffle ticket.

This year, you can register and keep track of your hours in person OR online! We'll have paper logs like years past, but you can also try Beanstack. Either way, your access to prizes is the same! We'll have both physical and virtual raffle tickets for the same prizes.

All paper tickets are due by 5pm on Friday, August 16, 2024. Virtual tickets are due by 11:59pm on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Prizes:

  • Lego Boxes
  • $25 Southbury Baking Company Gift Certificate
  • $25 Target Gift Card
  • $25 Riverview Cinemas Gift Card
  • $25 Rich’s Farm Gift Certificate
  • Family Board/ Card Games (sponsored by the Kistner Family)
  • $25 Scoopin Gift Certificate
  • $25 Amazon Gift Card
  • Young Artist Prize Box
  • Craft Basket (sponsored by the Meehan Family)
  • Grand Prize: Four Family Annual Passes to Mystic Aquarium!

All submitted tickets go into the Grand Prize, Family 4 Pack of Annual Passes to Mystic Aquarium (sponsored by Dr. Leon and Mrs. Ellen Baczeski).

Read for Beads

We are excited to continue Read for Beads to our participants in Grades 1-5! When you register, pick up your necklace and Brag Tag from the Children's Circulation Desk. During summer reading, you can choose a bead for every hour you read. Add them to your necklace and watch your bead collection grow!

Scavenger Hunt

Join in for our 2024 Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt! 20 book characters have gone camping throughout the teen and children's department! Can you find them for a chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift Card? 

Find 1 (or all 20) characters hidden upstairs in the Southbury Public Library. For every character you find upstairs, get a chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift Card! Fill out a raffle ticket with the name of a character and where you found them. Tickets are on the round Summer Reading Table in the Teen Department.

As a part of our Children & Teen Summer Reading Program, this is open to residents of any town in Grades 1-12! To participate, you have to register for Summer Reading. To register and find out more about this and more, stop by the Second Floor Circulation Desk.

Events

See below for our summer reading events for all ages, or click here for a list of just children's summer reading events. All of our programs are in person this year. Unless otherwise noted, registration is required.

Happy Reading!

Tweens and teens entering Grades 6-12 (or Class of 2024 12th Grade graduates) can participate in our Teen Summer Reading Program! You can earn raffle tickets towards weekly gift card prizes with your time read, join us for fun in person events, or participate in our library scavenger hunt! 

Hourly Raffle

Once you register for summer reading, keep track of your time reading! Like years past, for every hour you read, you earn one raffle ticket. Enter your tickets each week for the chance to win one of the $25 gift card prizes below. Don't like one week's prize? Save your tickets for a week you're interested in! All submitted tickets are entered in for the Grand Prize $125 Visa Gift Card, drawn on Friday, August 16.

This year, you can register and keep track of your hours in person OR online! We'll have paper logs like years past, but you can also try Beanstack. Either way, your access to prizes is the same! We'll have both physical and virtual raffle tickets for the same prizes. Winners will be drawn the following week and notified.

Prize Schedule:

  • Friday, June 14: $25 Starbucks Gift Card
  • Friday, June 21: $25 Game Store Gift Card (Winner’s Choice of Playstation, XBox, Steam, or Nintendo eStore)
  • Friday, June 28: $25 Riverview Cinemas Gift Card
  • Friday, July 5: $25 Annie's Nail Salon
  • Friday, July 12: $25 Target Gift Card
  • Friday, July 19: $25 TJ Maxx Gift Card
  • Friday, July 26: $25 Ulta Gift Card
  • Friday, August 2: $25 Rich's Farm Gift Card
  • Friday, August 9: $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
  • Friday: August 16: $25 Amazon Store Gift Card
  • Friday August 16: Teen Grand Prize: $125 Visa Gift Card

All submitted tickets go into the Grand Prize, a $125 Visa Gift Card. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2024.

Scavenger Hunt

Join in for our 2024 Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt! 20 book characters have gone camping throughout the teen and children's department! Can you find them for a chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift Card? 

Find 1 (or all 20) characters hidden upstairs in the Southbury Public Library. For every character you find upstairs in the Southbury Public Library, get a chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift Card! Fill out a raffle ticket with the name of a character and where you found them. Tickets are on the round Summer Reading Table in the Teen Department.

As a part of our Children & Teen Summer Reading Programs, this is open to residents of any town in Grades 1-12! To participate, you have to register for Summer Reading. To register and find out more about this and more, stop by the Second Floor Circulation Desk or go online to southburylibrary.beanstack.com.

Events

See below for our summer reading events for all ages, or click here for a list of just teen summer reading events. All of our programs are in person this year. Unless otherwise noted, registration is required.

From June 8 to August 16, we invite everyone (Adults: Age 18 & Up), regardless of town of residency, to participate in Southbury Public Library's Adult Summer Reading Challenge! This summer's theme, Read, Renew, Repeat, focuses on protecting species from extinction, maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services, and protecting biological diversity.

Prize Raffle

For each book you read this summer, earn a raffle ticket towards one of several $25.00 gift cards! All submitted tickets are eligible for this summer's grand prize, a $150 Visa Gift Card! Complete a raffle form for each book you read this summer and submit your tickets to a prize box at the Reference Department, or log your books virtually in Beanstack and submit your tickets there. A drawing will occur at the end of August to decide the winners of this year's prizes. Paper raffle ticket forms are available at the library's Reference Department. All raffle tickets must be received by Friday, August 16, 2024.

Two winners will be selected for each of the following prizes:

  • $25.00 gift card to Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe
  • $25.00 gift card to Mercato Italian Kitchen and Bar
  • $25.00 gift card to Riverview Cinemas 8
  • $25.00 gift card to Chatfield True Value
  • $25.00 gift card to Sake Asian Fusion
  • $25.00 gift card to KRU Juice Bar
  • $25.00 gift card to Scoopin' Ice Cream Shop
  • $25.00 gift card to Panera Bread

Grand Prize:

  • $150 Visa Gift Card (All submitted tickets are eligible.)

Events

Join us for a variety of Read, Renew, Repeat events for adults! Learn about the causes for earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, discover how invasive plant species damage our ecosystem, explore the practice of making art using materials from the natural world, learn how to safely identify wild mushrooms, and so much more at the Southbury Public Library this summer! For more information about these and other Read, Renew, Repeat events aimed at adults, click here. Keep scrolling to see a list of our events for all ages.

Children's Events

Makerspace Morning

11:00am - 12:30pm
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, STEM/STEAM, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Jen to explore, think, and create in our mobile makerspace! Choose from a wide range of materials to create something new and unique, or complete a craft project using provided instructions.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Kids Who Code

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: STEM/STEAM, Summer Reading, Workshop
Registration Required
Event Details:

Kids Who Code is a 6 week computer science program series, where participants can  build confidence and have fun!

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Tiny Food Explorers

11:00am - 12:00pm
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Kingsley Room A/B
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Cooking Classes, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Tiny Food Explorers for some fun with food! Come and explore new flavors and textures while playing games all about food and MyPlate! You’ll make a hands-on healthy snack that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Food Explorers: Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits

1:00pm - 2:00pm
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Kingsley Room A/B
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Cooking Classes, Summer Reading, Workshop
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Food Explorers for a deliciously sweet hour of baking! You’ll be making Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits and creating 4 different layers from scratch!

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Dairy Allergy

Dairy will be present in this program.

Egg Allergy

Eggs will be present in this program.

Wheat/Gluten Allergy

Gluten will be present in this program.

Family Giant Games Night

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Children, Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Upstairs
Age Group: Children, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Games and Recreation, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Join us for an evening of Giant Games! Families, drop in between 6 and 7:30pm to enjoy a variety of traditional, larger-than-life, board games. 

Games list:

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

All Ages

This program is for all ages, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Make or Take Craft

All Day
Children
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Upstairs
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Stop by the Youth Services department on Mondays in August for our Make or Take Craft. Make it here or bring home everything you'll need to make a fun and exciting thematic paper craft. Appropriate for all ages.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Teen Events

Teen Dungeons & Dragons

1:00pm - 4:00pm
Teens
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Games and Recreation, Gaming, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us and Dungeon Master Ethan for a summer long Dungeons and Dragons campaign, open to experienced and new players alike!

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Family Giant Games Night

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Children, Teens, Adults
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Upstairs
Age Group: Children, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Games and Recreation, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Join us for an evening of Giant Games! Families, drop in between 6 and 7:30pm to enjoy a variety of traditional, larger-than-life, board games. 

Games list:

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

All Ages

This program is for all ages, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Make a Suncatcher or Mosaic (Rescheduled)

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Teens
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Brown Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:

Learn about how glass is made, how glass is used and recycled, and how we can create art with the bits left over!

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Pizza from Scratch

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Teens
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Kingsley Room A/B
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Cooking Classes, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:

Everything you ever wanted to know about making pizza from dough to sauce to toppings in two hours! You will learn how to make all the components, bake your pie to perfection, and then enjoy your delicious pizza!

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Dairy Allergy

Dairy will be present in this program.

Wheat/Gluten Allergy

Gluten will be present in this program.

Pom-Pom Critters

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Brown Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us to make some pom-pom animals out of yarn, a fork, and more! We’ll have options to make a mouse, frog, pig, and more.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Teen Dungeons & Dragons

1:00pm - 4:00pm
Teens
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Games and Recreation, Gaming, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us and Dungeon Master Ethan for a summer long Dungeons and Dragons campaign, open to experienced and new players alike!

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Adult Events

The Energy of Falling Water - Connecticut’s Early Mills

1:00pm - 2:30pm
Adults
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Kingsley Room A/B
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Lectures
Registration Required
Event Details:

Water-powered mills revolutionized Connecticut in 1650, bringing civilization to the state. Back then, each small village had to rely on itself for everything, with no electricity or steam power in sight.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Technology Help with James Chapin

12:00pm - 1:00pm
All Ages, Adults
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Reference Area
Age Group: All Ages, Adults
Program Type: Technology Help
Event Details:

Come by on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Technology Help with local tech expert James Chapin. No registration is required and people are helped first come, first served. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

When is it Time to Have My Child Receive Therapy? Informational Session with Therapy Kinections

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Adults
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Brown Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Workshop
Registration Required
Event Details:

Presented by the staff of Therapy Kinections, this informational session will cover the red flags (things to look out for) in the areas of OT, PT, and Speech.  Parents and caregivers are invited to come with questions they may have.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Raise The Coop: The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Chicken Keeping

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Adults
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Kingsley Room A/B
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Lectures
Registration Required
Event Details:

Dive into the world of backyard chickens with our expert, Mark Gostkiewicz! In this workshop, you'll learn all about  backyard chicken keeping and discover the joys of having your own feathered friends. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Wednesday at the Movies- The Long Game

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Adults
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Kingsley Room A/B
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movies
Registration Required

Wednesday at the Movies

Our Wednesday movie screenings start at 1pm and begin on the second Wednesday of each month. Closed captions are available unless otherwise noted.

*Rated R movies are for ages 17 and up only, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.*

Film screenings are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library.

Registration IS required.

Event Details:

The Long Game (2023)

Rated PG. 1 hour and 52 minutes. CC

Cast: Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, Cheech Marin

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Technology Help with James Chapin

12:00pm - 1:00pm
All Ages, Adults
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Reference Area
Age Group: All Ages, Adults
Program Type: Technology Help
Event Details:

Come by on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Technology Help with local tech expert James Chapin. No registration is required and people are helped first come, first served. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Region 15 2024 Summer Reading Lists

For Summer Reading 2024, your librarians and teachers put together suggested reading lists to provide some reading recommendations over the summer. See below for the 2024 lists:

For class-specific assignments at Pomperaug High School, please visit your Google Classroom page. If you are having difficulty accessing what you need, contact PHS's guidance department at 203-262-3238.

Find everything needed for the 2024 Governor's Summer Reading Challenge here, including a summer reading journal and suggested reading lists for grades K-12.