Summer Reading 2025: Color Our World!

The Summer Reading Program is an initiative that aims to promote reading and literacy to children and teens. This year, the theme Color Our World celebrates all the colors in our vibrant, diverse communities! Each summer, we offer programs and events connected to the Summer Reading theme, which is chosen by the Collaborative Summer Library Program and adopted by libraries across the country. 

We promote reading and literacy by offering access to books, programs and presenters during the summer months to help encourage our community to keep reading and reduce summer slide. Research shows that kids who don’t practice reading skills during times when school is not in session can lose gains in ability made the previous academic year.

The Library also aims to build in-home libraries through the in-branch and outreach book distribution. Summer Reading books will be offered - one free book per family member - from June 2 to June 30. Having plenty of books at home and within arm’s reach naturally promotes an increase in daily reading habits.  In fact, just 20 minutes of reading a day can provide exponential gains for a child’s exposure to language, the long-term amount of time engaged in text, and as a result a greater understanding of the world around them, leading to increased test scores.

The Library remains committed to community outreach and, as mentioned above, building in-home libraries. This summer, we working with community partners like school districts, recreation centers and non-profit organizations to give away books at their events and locations. We hope to see you out in the community!

Summer Reading starts Monday, June 2 with the Library’s prize book giveaway happening at all locations. Swing by your preferred Johnson County Library branch and choose a free book and grab a reading log and bookmark to track the treasured tales you’ll read this summer. Also available at Johnson County branches is the Paint Your Pallette activity chart to add even more color to your summer library fun.

The official kick-off party is Saturday, June 7 with the Color Our World Summer Festival, with jazz storytelling, face painting and sidewalk chalk fun, family line-dancing lessons, and a special visit from The Fantastic Fire Department.

The Summer Reading grand finale is Thursday, July 31, with the Color our World: End of Summer Celebration, featuring art, dance, storytelling, all leading up to a movie night for the whole family that evening.

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The official kick-off party is Saturday, June 7 with the Color Our World Summer Festival, with jazz storytelling, face painting and sidewalk chalk fun, family line-dancing lessons, and a special visit from The Fantastic Fire Department.

The Summer Reading grand finale is Thursday, July 31, with the Color our World: End of Summer Celebration, featuring art, dance, storytelling, all leading up to a movie night for the whole family that evening.

See all of our Summer Reading events »

*Some events will require registration. Check for details in our Calendar.

The Friends of the Library will offer their annual bookmark design contest June 1-July 31. Applications will be available before the contest in branches and online.

Summer Reading books will be offered at Library locations - one free book per family member - from June 2 to June 30. 

The Library remains committed to community outreach and, as mentioned above, building in-home libraries. This summer, we working with community partners like school districts, recreation centers and non-profit organizations to give away books at their events and locations. We hope to see you out in the community!

Each year we order thousands of books for our giveaway, across all age groups within the following categories: board books, picture books, easy readers, kids fiction and non-fiction, and teen fiction and non-fiction. See the complete list of books!