
Summer Reading Challenge 2025
May 1 - August 1
All ages. Power up this summer and read to win great prizes. Start reading right away using the logs printed inside this newsletter or sign up on Beanstack to log reading online.
Events
Power Up: Read! A Superhero Summer Kickoff
Main Library Youth Hallway
Friday, 5/30 | 10 - 11:30 am
Join us for an action-packed party where superheroes & stories collide. Power up your summer with exciting activities, books and heroic adventures that will launch you into a season of reading fun.
Get a Culvers ice cream coupon for registering!
Summer Reading Kick-Off - Bubble Show Spectacular!
Rakow Branch Lawn
Friday, 5/30 | 2 - 3:45 pm
Join us for summer reading sign up and get ready to have a blast with the Bubble Guy! He’ll entertain our superheroes as they POWER UP for some fun and exciting reading adventures. Feel free to dress up as your favorite superhero or wear your favorite t-shirt!
Get a Culvers ice cream coupon for registering!
2:00 - 2:45 pm - Sign up for summer reading & enjoy the lawn at Rakow Branch
3:00 - 3:45 pm - Bubble Guy Show!
Power Up with PJ Masks
Main Library Lobby
Monday, 6/16 | 2 - 3:30 pm
Don’t miss this superpowered photo op with a PJ Masks character! To join the fun, just show us that you're signed up for Summer Reading—bring your reading log or show your registration in Beanstack.
Also earn a coupon for showing your log!
Power Up with Minecraft
Main Library Lobby
Tuesday, 7/1 | 2 - 3:30 pm
Enjoy Minecraft-themed crafts, activities, and books. Complete your summer reading challenge, redeem your prizes, and snap a photo with a Minecraft character by showing your reading progress!
Also earn a coupon for showing your log!
Power Up Party: A Super Celebration for Summer Reading!
Featuring Comic Book Mania
Main Library
Saturday, 8/2 | 12 - 4 pm
You did it — you reached maximum reading power! Now it’s time to party! Celebrate completing the Summer Reading Challenge with superheroes, games, prizes, food, and nonstop family fun!
Some prizes include a kaleidoscope and various coupons!
Prizes

Participants will receive prizes just for finishing the challenge, such as local business coupons.
Everyone 12th grade and under will receive a free swim pass redeemable at Wing Park or Lords Park Pool!
News
Shown here courtesy of the Elgin Courier-News
Elgin News Digest: Elgin and Dundee libraries launch summer reading programs; registration underway for Elgin’s 4th of July parade, pet parade
By Mike Danahey | Published May 16, 2025 at 1:41 pm
The Gail Borden and Fox Valley public library districts have launched summer youth reading programs.
Gail Borden’s Power Up Reading Challenge, which started this month, allows children to track their reading progress through the Beanstack app or website or on paper to earn prizes, including free swim passes for Wing Park and Lords Park family aquatic centers, an invite to the Power Up Party, gift cards and toys.