Hit the books, win prizes with library summer reading programs

Summer often brings lots of time for leisurely reading — and prizes, if you connect with your local library’s summer reading program! North County libraries offer several options for children and adults:

CARLSBAD: The “Tails and Tales” program for all ages starts Monday and runs through Aug. 8. Register at https://carlsbadlibrary.beanstack.org or use the Beanstack Tracker app for Android or iOS. Log into your account, or create one if you are a new reader. Sign up for the Summer Reading Adventure program that matches your grade or age. As participants read and complete activities, they can track their progress online. Can’t get to a computer? Download and print a reading tracker (English and Spanish) and enter your information into Beanstack later. Then earn reading rewards (while supplies last). Contact your city library for information on how to pick up your reading reward(s): Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, (760) 602-2047; Georgina Cole Library, (760) 434-2872 or Library Learning Center, (760) 931-4500. Visit https://library.carlsbadca.gov/programs/summer-reading-adventure.

ESCONDIDO: The city’s Summer Virtual Activity Challenge starts June 19 and runs through Aug. 8. Sign up at https://library.escondido.org/summer.aspx and click on the button for your age group on the left. Age groups are Baby (birth to 3 years), Kids (4-8), Tween (9-12), Teen (13-17) and Adult (18 plus). For each activity completed, participants will be entered into a bi-weekly drawing for digital gift cards. Participate and complete 30 of the activities for babies, kids, tween and 40 of the activities for teens to be eligible for a completion prize at summer’s end. Winners will be notified via email and sent their digital gift card prize. Those who complete the Summer Virtual Activity Challenge will be contacted personally to pick up their completion prize.

Besides the activities available during the Summer Virtual Activity Challenge, participants will also have access to Page Turner Adventures. Viewers can travel through the “Once Upon a Time Machine” for virtual adventures based on animal themes. Each weekly theme has five days of programming, which includes professionally produced shows, author interviews, virtual field trips and craft projects. Once participants sign up, they can access this content through Read Squared. Need help? Call (760) 839-4683 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday or email library@escondidolibrary.org.

OCEANSIDE: The Oceanside Public Library invites children, teens and adults to participate in “Reading Colors Your World,” with a focus on exploring art, expanding horizons through new reads, and finding beauty in diversity in the Oceanside community. Sign up at www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org; call (760) 435-5600. All ages earn prizes and are invited to attend literacy-based, educational and fun online events through Aug. 7. Summer Reading is sponsored by the Friends of the Oceanside Public Library.

Ages 0-12: Earn prizes for reading 10 hours or 10 books, and complete fun optional activities. After reading 10 hours or 10 books, children earn a prize bag with a free book, museum coupon and craft kit, and will be entered into weekly drawings for gift cards. Kids and families can also enjoy online storytimes, participate in book clubs, and attend other events online.

Ages 13-18: Earn prizes for reading and reviewing five books, plus the chance to win grand prizes for book reviews. They will also be entered into weekly drawings for gift cards. Teens can participate online in programs including book clubs, game nights and art classes. Teens can also volunteer virtually by completing several helpful projects.

Adults: Pick up a prize just for signing up. Log a review for each book or audiobook you read to be entered into a weekly drawing for a chance to win prizes. Adults can also participate in special programs highlighting people who have colored our world. Watch for Community Voices writing workshops that will culminate in a colorful performance on Aug. 8.

SAN DIEGO CITY LIBRARIES: San Diego city libraries are hosting “Color Your World,” a virtual Summer Reading Program, through Aug. 31. San Diego residents of all ages are encouraged to sign up for this virtual event to be creative, try new things, explore art and find beauty in diversity. To claim prizes, readers can complete a combination of 10 books, hours of reading or activities. Sign up at https://bit.ly/2TSFebi.

Participants can log books, hours and activities online by clicking on https://sandiego.beanstack.org/reader365 or by completing a paper log through the site. Print from home or stop by any San Diego Public Library to pick up a reading log. Pick up prizes from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Prizes given while supplies last.

Readers are also encouraged to join the Library Foundation Community Read-A-Thon — a community goal to complete 250,000 learning experiences by the end of August. Learning experiences include reading and completing the library’s literacy-based activities. The San Diego Public Library Foundation will donate $10,000 to support library youth programming. Just sign up for the Summer Reading Program and log your summer learning activities, and they will automatically count towards the Read-A-Thon.

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO LIBRARIES: This summer’s reading program challenges all ages to “Read, Learn, and Create” online. Register at sdcl.org/summer to track your reading progress, write book reviews for the community to enjoy, and complete learning challenges that will bring local art, culture, and recreation opportunities directly to you online.