What do You Want to Accomplish with Reading Programs in 2026?

Have your best summer reading season ever by answering this one question.

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It's the middle of winter; yet, you know it's coming. . .summer reading season.

What emotions arise when "summer reading" is mentioned?  Dread? Worry? Frustration? Or does summer reading bring positive thoughts? Anticipation? Enthusiasm? Delight?

After working with hundreds of libraries and seeing thousands of summer reading programs.  Here's what I know:

1. Libraries that dread summer reading season almost always host overly complicated programs.

2. Libraries that look forward to summer reading have simple and straightforward programming for all ages of readers.

3. Patrons who sign up for library programs have a true desire to participate. But, if they run into any difficulty participating in the program, they will stop.

5. Communication with patrons during the program with news, programming information and cumulative reading totals is the most effective way to build energy in your programs and encourage participation.

As you begin planning for summer reading ask everyone involved this question: Why does our library do summer reading?

I doubt the answer to this question is “We want to drive staff nuts for 8 to 10 weeks while we turn the library upside down? Or, “We want to print thousands of paper reading logs, hand them out and have less than 10% return completed”.

The more likely answer is: ” We want to encourage reading by all ages of patrons and demonstrate the positive impact our library has on the community.”

If you’re not excited about summer reading, it’s time for an intervention.

When I speak with libraries that dread summer reading, they almost always utter one of these three phrases:

1.  This is how we’ve always done summer reading.

2. Our patrons like doing summer reading this way.

3. It’s too difficult to change our program at this point.

Complicated Programs: It's tempting to build a “holistic” program that includes educational and recreational activities.  You may even call your it a “Summer Learning Program”. If you’re using a bingo page or anything like it, you’re running one of these programs and likely dreading the arrival of June.

A rule of thumb is this: If it takes more than 15 seconds to fully explain the parameters of your program, it’s too complicated. The solution lies in one pithy statement: Simplicity Drive Engagement.

Too Many Prizes:  How many awards and prizes, etc. are available for your programs? If it’s more than three individual items for any given reader, you’re overdoing it. You’re making it difficult for patrons to know what's happening and creating headaches for staff.

Prizes should be clear and few.  Giving patrons a prize or giveaway when they complete known milestones, e.g. the halfway point or the entire program is plenty. Giving away a prize for every week, every book or every 15 minutes read seems fun. However, it does not create more engagement.

Convenience for Patrons: It is so very discouraging to create reading programs, watch people sign up, then have relatively few finish the program. Why do patrons stop participating?

If you’re handing out paper reading logs, you know that today’s parents are not likely to keep a sheet of paper for a multi-week program--that's your first mistake. If you use an app, it must be ultra-convenient for patrons. You have about eight seconds of a patron’s attention to complete a reading entry in an app.  If it’s not that fast, patrons will stop using the app.

Losing the Thread: Patrons who sign up for your programs really do intend to see it through. However, by the time they pull into the driveway after signing up at the library, they’ve forgotten most of what you told them. They are, after all, only humans.

What patrons, and all of us need, is a gentle reminder(s). If a library reaches out once per week or 10 days with news, updates and reminders about summer programming, patrons re-engage. This can be as simple as a push notification that says “Don’t forget to log your reading this weekend” or “we have an awesome community event this Tuesday at 10:00 am.  See you there!”

I invite you to consider why you do reading programs and how you roll them out. Again, the most important axiom that guides successful reading programs for summer and beyond is:  Simplicity Drive Engagement.

If you'd like to learn more about how to drive engagement, save staff time and have a breakout year for reading programs, shoot me and message and we'll talk!

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