Summer Reading

Summer Reading @DPL

May 27 - July 27

Get ready for a colorful summer at Derby Public Library! The Youth Services staff have planned events and activities for babies all the way up to teens. This year's theme is Color Our World, so experience a burst of color during Preschool Storytime, create unique and original art in our school age and teen programs, and create community art with Post-Its.

In addition to exciting events and activities, you can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and earn prizes just for reading! Reading in the summer is proven to help children retain the knowledge they gained during the previous school year. Registration for the reading challenge and special events begins Tuesday, May 27 at 9 a.m. Don't hesitate to the call the library and ask for the Youth Services desk if you have any questions!

Reading Challenge Registration

Click here to be taken to the reading challenge Google Form. Fill out the Google Form once for each child you are registering for summer reading. Link will go live at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27th.

Youth Summer Program Guide

This program guide includes information about early literacy programming, school age programming, and our summer performers series.

Teen Summer Program Guide

This program guide includes information about all of our teen programs. Note: some of these programs require registration.

Summer Reading for Teens

For summer activities and events planned specifically for our patrons in grades 6-12, check out the Summer Reading for Teens page on our website.

Reading Challenge Details

Registration for the Summer Reading Challenge using the Google Form begins May 27, 2025. All reading and activities logs need to be turned in to the Youth Services desk and prizes picked up by 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 2025.

Google Form Registration Steps:

Fill out the Google Form once for each child you are registering for summer reading. Register online or in person at the Youth Services Desk.
Log reading on a paper log that you can print from home or pick one up at the library.
When you finish your reading, bring your completed log to the library to pick up your prizes.

Babies & Toddlers (Birth to age 3): Complete 4 activities in each of the 5 early literacy practices. If an activity isn't age appropriate for your child, replace it with reading a book.

Kids (Preschool to entering 5th grade): Read (or be read to) for 12 hours.

Teens (entering 6th grade to 12th grade): Read for 12 hours.

Everyone birth to age 18 who signs up for and completes the summer reading challenge will receive a prize package that includes:

Prize Book of your choice
1 pass to Rock River Rapids (child, adult combo pass)
1 free child admission to Exploration Place (Babies & Toddlers and Kids only)
1 coupon for a free Fazoli's kid meal with adult meal purchase
1 coupon for a free Pizza Hut personal pan pizza
One entry to win the grand prize for their age group

Grand Prizes

Babies & Toddlers - Color Toy & $50 Target Giftcard
Kids - SEVEN $100 Amazon Gift Cards
Teens - TWO $100 Amazon Gifts Cards

Summer Reading is for grown-ups too! Click here to learn about the summer reading challenge and activities for adults!

Special Event Information

Colortopia Performers

Performances will be held in the library's Community Room. All performances have a 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. showtime, unless noted in the program guide and on the event calendar.

Color Quest: A Scavenger Hunt

Participate in our annual scavenger hunt! Each week, a picture with a color and word of the week will be hidden somewhere in the library. New clues are posted Mondays at 9 a.m. The more weeks you locate the picture and complete an entry form, the more chances you have to win the grand prize.

Post-It Art

Get creative with Post-it notes! Join us in creating a vibrant mural. It's a fun way to add color and brighten up the Youth Services area of the library. Visit the Youth Services desk to participate.

Ad Astra Planetarium

Learn about constellations, planets, the structure of the universe, and more! Register for one of four Ad Astra Planetarium shows. Audience members will enter a 6-meter inflatable dome to view an unforgettable high-resolution presentation about our solar system and beyond! Register each person INDIVIDUALLY, child or adult, who will be entering the Planetarium. Each child needs a parent or guardian present with them, but parents may be responsible for multiple children.

Moviecraft Monochrome

We're going back to basics in this summer's Moviecraft filmmaking workshop by exploring black and white cinematography and storytelling. Dive into the Moviecraft Cinematic Universe to produce an original short film that takes inspiration from both the absence and presence of color. Registration opens on May 27 at 9 a.m.

Death on the Catwalk: A Teen Mystery Night

Friday, June 20 6:30 p.m. It's New York City Fashion Week, and teens will take the roles of celebrities, fashion editors, designers, and staff at the Vogue Premiere of Donatella Armenio's runway show. When the lights hit the catwalk, Donatella's favorite model, Anastasia, is dead and the multi-million dollar diamonds on her neck are gone. Analyze the clues to find her killer! Registration required. Registration begins May 27 @ 9 a.m.

The Writer's Color Palette Writing Challenge

Explore the world of color psychology by creating an original short story with inspiration from your writer's palette. Writers will be guided by five challenges each themed around a specific color and the meaning behind it. Writers who complete their stories will win a prize and be entered to win a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card. Applications are available online and at the Youth Services desk starting May 27th.

Calendar of Events

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