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2026 Adult Services Summer Reading Program
We the Readers: Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of a Good Book
Monday, June 8 - Sunday, August 30
For ages 14 years and older
This summer, we’re celebrating our freedom to read with a salute to America’s 250th birthday! We the readers are all about life, liberty and the pursuit of a good book. Get ready to let FREADOM ring! Join our Adult Summer Reading Program and enjoy books from 13 “colonial” categories. As always, YOU choose the books you read based on our categories, but we offer plenty of suggestions. Complete 5 categories to earn your “We the Readers” T-shirt. For each book you read, earn a raffle ticket to enter in our prize drawings for gift cards from local restaurants and businesses.
How to Participate
In Person
- Register at the Adult Reference Desk starting Monday, June 8.
- Receive your log sheet and booklist of reading suggestions.
- Choose books from our booklist or displays, or pick your own titles based on the category descriptions.
- Log each title you complete on your log sheet.
- Fill out a prize ticket for each title and drop it in a prize bucket of your choice.
- Complete five (5) different categories to earn your “We the Readers” T-shirt.
Online
- Starting Monday, June 8, log in and create a Beanstack account, then register for the Adult Reading Program.
- View our Booklist of reading suggestions for each category, or choose your own books based on category descriptions.
- When you log your books on Beanstack, you will earn digital tickets to enter in the prize drawings (same prizes as the in-person program).
- Complete five (5) different categories to earn your “We the Readers” T-shirt.
- Important note: online readers MUST fill out a physical Log Sheet and turn it in at the Adult Reference Desk to receive a T-shirt. If you need assistance, please email Nancy.
Prizes
- Each year, dozens of businesses from the Elk Grove area donate great prizes to our reading program! Please tell them THANKS when you visit them!
- Most of the prizes will be awarded at our Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party in September.
- A few prize drawings will take place during the summer (due to the seasonal nature of the prize, i.e. water park passes). Winners will be notified.
- Please watch for notices about these special prize drawings. Online participants will be notified by email.
New this Year! “People's Puzzles” Special Prize Drawing
- This year, we’re testing your U.S.A. knowledge with six (6) People's Puzzles, fun quiz-like worksheets.
- A new puzzle will be available every two weeks, starting June 8.
- Pick up puzzle worksheets at the Adult Reference Desk or print one here.
- For each puzzle you complete, you’ll receive a pink ticket to enter in our drawing for 2 special prize baskets. Prizes will be awarded in September.
Categories
Amazing Americans - Read a historical or biographical book featuring an amazing American.
America at War - Read a book set during war-time.
The American President - Read a book featuring a U.S. President.
Civic Cinema - Watch a movie that tells a story about American history.
From Sea to Shining Sea - Read a book with a U.S. state or city name in the title.
Great American Reads - Read a book from the PBS list of 100 Great American Reads.
Great American Songbook - Check-out a CD or download music from Hoopla featuring a great American musician.
Mainstreet U.S.A. (Happy 70th Birthday, EGV!) - Read a book set in small-town or suburban America.
Mysteri-U.S. - Read a mystery set in the United States.
Red, White & Blue - Read a book with Red, White or Blue in the title.
Revolutionary Reads - Read a book about people who embark on great adventures or explore big ideas.
See the U.S.A. - Check out an American travel guide or read a book featuring cars, road trips or Route 66 (in honor of it’s 100th birthday).
What’s Cookin’ - Enjoy a regional cookbook or read a book featuring food, cooks or culinary escapades.
