The Southbury Library is closed to the public until further notice due to COVID-19 concerns. Staff are still available via phone and email. Call us for more information about our pickup window service.

Summer Reading

Summer Reading 2020 is here! Are you ready to get creative, get active, and have fun this summer as we Imagine Your Story? Things may look different, but we're committed to bringing you quality programs and resources to enrich your summer experience. We believe Summer Reading encourages children, youth, and families to continue reading and develop life-long learning skills. Gain self-confidence, a love for reading, and a sense of accomplishment, increase motivation and maintain reading skills - all while having fun!

Online registration will be available for all children ages 0-18 starting Monday, June 29 2020. The program will run until Friday, August 7, 2020.

Imagine Your Story Puss in Boots, Frog Prince, and Tiger Reading
Imagine Your Story Rabbit and Bears
Imagine Your Story Three Children with Big Red Book
A purple background with the text "Imagine Your Story: and an illustration of a person with brown skin and golden wings on top of an open green book.

Monday, June 29 through Friday, August 7, 2020

Imagine Your Story: Fairy Tales and Storytelling and Myths

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

Hours only count once you register for Summer Reading, so we recommend registering ASAP! You can enter in your times as often as you like. All entries must be received by 11:59pm on Friday, August 7, 2020. No exceptions will be made.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library.

Age Groups

Children entering Kindergarten and younger may participate in our Pre-K Summer Reading - 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. (If you are under 5 and have already completed 1000 Books Before Kindergarten at the Southbury Public Library, you can choose to do it again or move up to our Elementary Summer Reading Program.) 

Read every day with a parent or caregiver. Each and every book you read counts. If you read the same book over and over, it counts each time! Log your reading on READsquared, our new Summer Reading online program by entering each title you read. One winner will be randomly chosen each week to receive two brand new books, sponsored by the Connecticut State Library and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Earn extra points by participating in our daily challenges. Participate in Alphabet Adventures. We will begin with the letter A on Monday, June 29. Follow the Southbury Library Youth Services Facebook page and our library website for daily challenges. Tune in each day for a different activity for each letter of the alphabet. Take a picture or tell us about your Alphabet Adventure on Facebook. Or log your completed challenges in READsquared. Or both!

You can also choose to participate in our Daily At Home Challenges. Each day, we'll spotlight a different activity based on a theme. Just like Alphabet Adventures, take a picture or comment on Facebook and log your challenge in READsquared. These challengers are geared towards kids in grades 1-5 but anyone can participate! 

Daily At Home Challenges include:

STEAMonday: Start off the week with full STEAM ahead with a tutorial for a simple, at home experiment.

 

Take it Outside Tuesday: Get outside and get active. Get ready for a physical challenge.

 

Wonder Wednesday: We're asking questions. Can you provide the answer?

 

Thankful Thursday: Shout out who or what you're thankful for. Do a random act of kindness. 

 

Fine Art Friday: We provide the topic, you provide the artwork.

There is no requirement and no pressure to participate. We want to make this summer as fun and easy as possible.  

Happy Reading!

 

 

Children reading independently entering Grades 1-5 may participate in our Children's Summer Reading Program. (If you are under 5 and have already completed 1000 Books Before Kindergarten at the Southbury Public Library, you can choose to do it again or move up to our Elementary Summer Reading Program.) 

Read as much as you can this summer. Keep track of how much time you read in minutes or hours. For every hour you read, log it in READsquared, our new Summer Reading online program. The more you read, the more entries you have! Weekly random drawings will be held for gift cards. Prizes are sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library.

Earn extra points by participating in our Daily At Home Challenges. Each day, we'll spotlight a different activity based on a theme. Take a picture or comment on Facebook and log your challenge in READsquared. Or only log your completed challenges in READsquared. Or both!

Daily At Home Challenges include:

STEAMonday: Start off the week with full STEAM ahead with a tutorial for a simple, at home experiment.

 

Take it Outside Tuesday: Get outside and get active. Get ready for a physical challenge.

 

Wonder Wednesday: We're asking questions. Can you provide the answer?

 

Thankful Thursday: Shout out who or what you're thankful for. Do a random act of kindness. 

 

Fine Art Friday: We provide the topic, you provide the artwork.

You can also participate in Alphabet Adventures. We will begin with the letter A on Monday, June 29. Follow the Southbury Library Youth Services Facebook page and our library website for daily challenges. Tune in each day for a different activity for each letter of the alphabet. Just like the Daily At Home Challenges, take a picture or tell us about your adventure on Facebook. Alphabet Adventures is geared towards children 5 and under but anyone may participate!

There is no requirement and no pressure to participate. We want to make this summer as fun and easy as possible.  

Happy Reading!

We have four parts to this year's Teen Summer Reading Program. You can compete in all four parts, or pick and choose what you're interested in!

Part 1: 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 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, drawn on Friday, August 7.

Differently than years past, registration and hour tracking will all be online through READsquared this year. Instead of physical raffle tickets, each hour you read will earn you points. One hour read is 100 points. Those 100 points can be used to "buy" one raffle ticket towards your interested prize. You can start purchasing raffle tickets for a given prize the Saturday before the drawing. For each day listed, raffle tickets are due by 11:59pm. Winners will be drawn the following Monday and notified.

Prize Schedule:

  • Friday, July 3:  $25 Starbucks Gift Card    
  • Friday, July 10:  $25 Beauty Store Gift Card (Winner's choice of Sephora, Ulta, or Mac)
  • Friday, July 17: $25 Game Store Gift Card (Winner's choice of Playstation, XBox, Steam, or Nintendo eStore)    
  • Friday, July 24: $25 Dubl Twister Gift Card    
  • Friday, July 31: $25 App Store Gift Card (Winner's choice of Apple App Store or Google Play Store)    
  • Friday: August 7: $25 Amazon Store Gift Card    
  • Friday August 7: 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 7, 2020.

Bonus Points:

New this year, there are other things you can do besides reading to earn points that count towards the raffle prizes. Those activities are:

  • ARK Missions: These Acts of (not so) Random Kindness can earn you points towards raffle tickets. Each ARK completed earns 100 points. Find out more in the Missions tab of READsquared.
  • Book Reviews: When you enter in your time read, there's an option to add your thoughts about a book. Review your book and own 5 bonus points per review!
  • Virtual Program Attendance: Each virtual program you attend will have a secret code- this code earns you an extra 100 points.
  • Photo Scavenger Hunt: We've got a photo based scavenger hunt that can also earn you bonus points! Find out more in the Missions tab of READsquared.
Point system: 
  • 1 hour = 100 points
  • 1 minute = 1.67 points
  • ARK (Acts of Not So Random Kindness) Challenge = 100 points
  • Book Review = 5 points
  • Virtual program attendance = 100 points

How to "Buy" Raffle Tickets with Points:

  • Every 100 points is equal to one raffle ticket.
  • Prize raffles open up the week prior to the drawing date listed.
  • To purchase raffle tickets for this week's prize, go to the "Home" page of READsquared and click on the "Raffle" button in the center of the screen.
  • Next, press the "Get Tickets" button. You can then click on the raffle listed to get tickets for that raffle.
  • If you are interested in spending tickets on later items, save your points for future weeks.

Part 2: Book Bingo

Compete in this year's 2020 Book Bingo for Grades 6-12! Make bingo by reading books that fit the listed categories! Making bingo (or multiples) can earn you raffle entries for a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

  • Complete one row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) and get one entry into the raffle
  • Complete five rows (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) and get five entries into the raffle
  • Complete the whole card and get fifteen entries into the raffle

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020. The winner will be drawn from eligible entries then be notified.

Part 3: Photo Scavenger Hunt

Snap a picture of each of these items and upload them. Each item found is worth 100 points. Your picture will not be shared anywhere on the website for other patrons to see, but library staff will be able to see what you've shared.

Complete the entire Scavenger Hunt for 100 bonus points and a special program badge! ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2020.

Part 4: Virtual Programming

See below, or click here. Registration required.
 

Summer Reading Virtual Events

Drop-In Storytime Online

10:30am - 11:00am
Children
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Summer Reading, Storytimes

Drop-In Storytime

Drop In Stories are offered every Monday morning at 10:30 am year round. All ages are welcome and there is no registration required. Stories are shared, and then the children are invited to do a simple craft and pick out books to take home.

Event Details:
We're back, friends! We have missed you but we're excited to start a new online version of Drop-In Storytime! Join us online every Monday morning for a drop-in storytime. We'll share books, rhymes, and songs and end with a simple paper craft. ...

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Animal Embassy Online

1:00pm - 2:00pm
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Performances, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:
We're thrilled to bring you Animal Embassy's Online Learning for Libraries program Dwarfs, Dragons and Giants. Join Animal Embassy for an opportunity to meet real life examples of dwarfs, giants and dragons of the animal kingdom. Discover how and why...

Babies & Book Storytime Online

10:30am - 11:30am
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Summer Reading, Storytimes
Registration Required

Babies & Books Storytime

Babies and Books is an interactive program for babies age 6-24 months and their parents and caregivers. Babies sit on their caretakers’ laps while the Children’s Librarian shares short books, songs and fingerplays. A simple coloring sheet relating to the stories completes the storytime. Registration is required.

Event Details:
Our Summer Session begins on Tuesday, July 7 and runs six weeks until Tuesday, August 11. We begin at 10:30 am and the program runs approximately 20 – 30 minutes. This program is online via Zoom. You will receive an e...

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Toddler Time Storytime Online

10:30am - 11:15am
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Summer Reading, Storytimes
Registration Required

Toddler Time Storytime

Parents and caregivers are invited to join their toddlers ages 2 and 3 for a 30 minutes of theme based stories and songs in Program Room. Everyone then goes to the craft tables to make a craft that relates back to the storytime theme. Registration is required.

Event Details:
Our Summer Session begins on Wednesday, July 8 and runs six weeks until Wednesday, August 12. We begin at 10:30 am and the program runs approximately 30 – 45 minutes. This program is online via Zoom. You will receive an em...

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Stories & Crafts Storytime Online

10:30am - 11:30am
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Summer Reading, Storytimes
Registration Required

Stories & Crafts Storytime

Children ages 4 and 5 are invited to listen to stories and sing songs with the Children’s Librarian in the Program Room and then join their parents and caregivers for a craft that relates to the theme of the stories. Children should be able to sit independently to attend this storytime session. Registration is required.

Event Details:
Our Summer Session begins on Thursday, July 9 and runs six weeks until Thursday, August 13 . We begin at 10:30 am and the program runs approximately 30 – 45 minutes This program is online via Zoom. You will receive an...

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Zoom Game Mash Up

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Teens
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Summer Reading, Games and Recreation
Registration Required
Event Details:
Join us on Zoom for a mix of fun, zoom based games! Silly, fun, and lighthearted, these games don't require any supplies except a device with a webcam and a sense of humor. Requirements: a smartphone, tablet, or computer that can access Zoom via w...

Drop-In Storytime Online

10:30am - 11:00am
Children
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Summer Reading, Storytimes

Drop-In Storytime

Drop In Stories are offered every Monday morning at 10:30 am year round. All ages are welcome and there is no registration required. Stories are shared, and then the children are invited to do a simple craft and pick out books to take home.

Event Details:
Join us every Monday morning for a drop-in storytime. We'll share books, rhymes, and songs and end with a simple paper craft.  All ages are welcome.  No registration is required.   This program is sponsored by the Friends o...

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Babies & Book Storytime Online

10:30am - 11:30am
Children
Registration
Library Branch: Southbury Public Library
Room: Online
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Summer Reading, Storytimes
Registration Required

Babies & Books Storytime

Babies and Books is an interactive program for babies age 6-24 months and their parents and caregivers. Babies sit on their caretakers’ laps while the Children’s Librarian shares short books, songs and fingerplays. A simple coloring sheet relating to the stories completes the storytime. Registration is required.

Event Details:
Our Summer Session begins on Tuesday, July 7 and runs six weeks until Tuesday, August 11. We begin at 10:30 am and the program runs approximately 20 – 30 minutes. This program is online via Zoom. You will receive an e...

Disclaimer(s)

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.

Region 15 Suggested Summer Reading Lists

Your librarians and teachers have put together suggested reading lists to give you some reading recommendations over the summer. There's something for everyone, including classic and new titles.Take a look and see what looks good. Contact us or put them on hold yourself and schedule a pickup time. 

Find everything you'll need for the 2020 Governor's Summer Reading Challenge, including a summer reading journal, student certificate, and suggested reading lists for grades K-12.