- Summer Reading Kick-off Parties at every Branch & End of Summer Celebration at Greenleaf Park
- Collect ‘seeds’ for reading to earn PRIZES!
- Story City storytime series at fire stations and community gardens, and special hands-on experiences with Butterflies, Plants, Food, and Music for children
- Seed Bombs, Magic Tree Henna, PRIDE Friendship Bracelets, Birdfeeders, Food Explorers, and more just for Teens
- Book Clubs, DIY and wellness crafts, ‘Celebrate MA250’ history programs, and ‘One Read, One Springfield’ community reading for Adults
- Plus, live Music Performances, Musical Petting Zoos, and Music Workshops for all ages
How to participate:
★ Check out the Springfield City Library Branches closest to your neighborhood and celebrate summer with our Kick-off Parties!
| Indian Orchard Branch: Monday, June 15 2:00pm–4:30pm | East Springfield Branch: Wednesday, June 17 4:00pm–6:00pm |
| Sixteen Acres Branch: Tuesday, June 16 2:30pm–5:00pm | Forest Park Branch: Thursday, June 18 4:00pm–6:00pm |
| Brightwood Branch: Wednesday, June 17 1:00pm-4:00pm | Mason Square Branch: Thursday, June 18 4:00pm–6:00pm |
| East Forest Park Branch: Wednesday, June 17 4:00pm–6:00pm | Central Library: Saturday, June 20 11:00am–1:00pm |
★ Sign up for Summer Reading by downloading the Beanstack app or visiting your local branch for a log!
Participate in the challenge:
- Digitally on the Beanstack app and the Library’s Beanstack desktop website, OR
- With a Paper Log, available at all library locations and online to print on-demand.
★ Read as much as you can this summer and log how much you read!
- Earn a seed for every minute you read this summer and grow your reading garden to earn prizes!
- Record your reading time along the garden path to help your seeds bloom into flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Books • Magazines • Graphic Novels, Comics & Manga • Audiobooks • E-books • Online Articles • Gaming Manuals • Cereal Boxes • Street Signs • Subtitles • As a Family • Listening During Storytimes • To Pets and Toys • And more!
★ Visit your local library Branch to claim a prize for each item that you grow in your reading garden!
- Sign-up prizes*: Spin-to-win prizes for children, Choice of plant growing kits for adults, and Free Choice for teens!
- Prize Baskets for Youth: Grow items in your reading garden to earn raffle ticket entries for one of nine, specially themed prize baskets- the more you read, the better your chance of winning!
- Completion Prizes*: Special age-appropriate toys for young readers and Choice of surprise gifts to enhance your seasonal experience!
- “Visit to Win” Raffle: Library visitors of all ages can earn one raffle ticket per person, per day when you visit a Springfield City Library location or attend a library event during the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge (June 15 – August 15). Enter to win the raffle of your choice, which feature prizes and gift cards from local businesses.
*While supplies last.
★ Don’t miss these special programs and activities!
- Enjoy free, fun activities for all ages, all summer long:
- Visit your nearest library location any day to get a take-and-make activity, do a drop-in craft, or participate in a scavenger hunt!
- Join us at our End of Summer Celebration on August 15 at Greenleaf Park, located at 1187 1/2 Parker St. Springfield, MA next to the Sixteen Acres Library Branch (plentiful parking and accessible via the B17 and X94 PTVA busses). Let’s celebrate our #CommunityofReaders and meet up for free food, games, special activities, and connection! Stay tuned for more details!
★ Remember, your school summer reading projects count towards your minutes!
Click on the name of your school below. It will take you to a list of recommended summer reading in our catalog, where you can place a hold, or maybe even borrow it as an ebook.
2026 summer reading lists coming soon!
Log Your Reading with Beanstack!
With Beanstack, you can track your reading minutes, write book reviews, and participate in fun activities! Plus, earn special badges to celebrate your reading achievements! Participate on the Library’s Beanstack site or download the Beanstack app.
If you need help, watch the Beanstack tutorial or ask a librarian
Log Your Reading with a Paper Log!
Select a button below to download a paper reading log to print.
Thank you to this year’s sponsors!
The Springfield City Library Summer Reading Challenge is supported by your local library, the Springfield Library Foundation and the Springfield Library Foundation’s Rose M. Smith Music Fund, the Friends of the Springfield Library, PeoplesBank, and the Massachusetts Library System.
El Desafío de lectura de verano de la biblioteca de la ciudad de Springfield cuenta con el apoyo de su biblioteca local, la Fundación de la biblioteca de Springfield y el Fondo de música Rose M. Smith de la Fundación de la biblioteca de Springfield, los Amigos de la biblioteca de Springfield, PeoplesBank y el Sistema de bibliotecas de Massachusetts.
