"Total Reads" ARC Summer Reads Challenge

It is that time of the year again when the library hosts our annual Summer Reads program that has prizes for reading, free books, and lots of fun programs and activities. Instead of using the Summer Reads app, the Adult Reading Challenge is doing something different this year.

If you attended the June Book Club on Thursday, June 4th, you already know that the Summer Reads Challenge for the Adult Reading Challenge is on paper. You can pick up a copy of the form from the Marketing and Outreach office during the week as long as we are in the office. We hate that you cannot come by any day from opening to 5pm, but this is a busy season for Outreach. We have several outings planned that mean we are not in the office every day. If you want to pick up a form, email or call to confirm one of us will be available on the day and time you are coming to the library.

This extra part of the Adult Reading Challenge is the Summer Reading Bucket List from the New York Times Book Review. They have ten prompts to help you pick a books to read this summer. If you want extra points for this year, you must read 5 books that fit the list. If you want an extra name in the drawing at the end of the Adult Reading Challenge you must do 8 of the 10 prompts. For this challenge, books must be read from May 25, 2026 to August 2, 2026, and all books used for the Summer Reads cannot be used on the Total Reads Log. You have to use the Total Reads page that we made and printed to be part of this Summer Reads Challenge. This is, of course, completely optional. There is no pressure to make anyone do this extra summer part of the Challenge.

Don't forget to call or email before coming to the library to make sure one of us will be in the office and available to give you a one of the ARC Summer Reads Challenge forms. 

Our office number is 256-340-5780 and our email is StephRhonda@myDPL.org

We hope to see you in the library soon!

Happy Reading!

June "Total Reads" Blog

 

Summer Reads kicked-off on Friday, May 29^th, and it will end on Friday, July 24^th.  If you have kids, you want to check out all of the great programs that will take place during these eight weeks. There is something for everyone and prizes to be won for those aged 0-17 in the Reader Zone app. The more you read, the more you can win.

We have programs for adults this summer, too.  FYI programs in June, July and August are lined up with Betty Bolté, Jetaun Bailey, and Becky Alexander. We are planning an interactive program on Wednesday, July 8^th, to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, and of course we are going to host Book Club each month. Mark your calendars and plan to join us in the library (we have air conditioning now) for fun and educational programs this summer.

On March 16^th of this year, we added The New York Times to our online resources. If you haven’t tried using it yet, you should. There is a lot to discover, from news, recipes, sports, to great games. And it is all free with your DPL card. Go to https://mydpl.org/nyt/ to find out what  is available and how to access it from the library or your home.

Summer of 2026 has 7 extra days this year due to where Memorial Day and Labor Day fall on the calendar. That’s an extra week to enjoy the season of sunshine and relaxation while reading. To celebrate this bonus week, the June task is read a book set during summer.

Happy Reading!