Q: Who can join the Summer Reading Program?
A: Children entering Pre-K through 5th grade in Fall 2025 are welcome! Rising 6th graders may prefer the Teen program upstairs.
Q: How do we sign up?
A: Visit the Children’s circulation desk starting June 9. You’ll fill out a sign-up sheet and receive a gift bag and reading log.
Q: What’s in the gift bag?
A: Each bag contains fun items like crayons, toys, pencils, a bracelet, a maze pen, and your first raffle ticket, plus your reading log and a Where’s Gordon? Passport.
Q: How does the reading log work?
A: Read 20 minutes a day, then color one square per day. Every 5 days (equivalent to 100 minutes)earns a raffle ticket. You do not need to come in every 5 days, just show us your log during your next visit, and we will give you the correct number of raffle tickets.
Q: Do kids have to read the books themselves?
A: No! Being read to by a parent, sibling, or using audiobooks all count toward reading time.
Q: What are the raffle prizes?
A: Baskets with toys and books are on display above the computers. Tickets go into labeled containers on the Children’s desk. You choose which prize to try for!
Q: Does my child have to complete their reading log to enter the raffles?
A: No. Any earned raffle ticket placed in a container counts as an entry, even if the log is not finished.
Q: How do we earn more raffle tickets?
A: You can earn tickets by:
- Reading (every 5 days = 1 ticket)
- Attending events (1 ticket per event)*
- Signing up for the book club (1 ticket)
- Completing a Secret Book Bag (1 ticket every 2 weeks)
- Finishing your reading log (1 ticket + 1 prize book)
*exception: Father’s Craft Day and Reptile Nook Zoo Event
Q: How do we sign up for events?
A: Visit our library calendar online. Most events require registration, which opens about 2 weeks before each program.
Q: What is the Book Club?
A: We have two clubs this summer: Children may sign up for both clubs. The first 20 sign-ups for each receive a free book (while supplies last). One raffle ticket is given for signing up.
- The Frindle File (Book Club)
- Gamerville (Graphic Novel Club)
Q: What is the Secret Book Bag?
A: A fun surprise! Sign up at the desk and receive a themed bag with a mystery book and small fun surprises. One bag every two weeks. The book must be returned, but everything else is yours.
Q: What is the “Where’s Gordon?” Scavenger Hunt?
A: Visit libraries across Rhode Island and find Gordon the gecko! If you visit 25 libraries, you can enter a grand prize raffle. Ask the staff to stamp your passport when you find Gordon in each library.
Q: Can we do both the scavenger hunt and the reading program?
A: Yes! You can participate in both for double the fun.
Q: What if we lose our reading log or passport?
A: Ask for a replacement at the Children’s desk. We are happy to help.
Q: What is the BINGO challenge in the reading log?
A: It’s a fun extra game on the back of the reading log! Complete five squares in a row (up, down, across, or diagonal) and you’ll get one raffle ticket.
Q: Can we get more raffle tickets for finishing more BINGO rows?
A: No. You can only earn one ticket total from the BINGO activity, but you are welcome to keep going just for fun!
Q: What kinds of challenges are on the BINGO card?
A: Each square has a fun prompt, like reading a nonfiction book, listening to an audiobook, or reading under a blanket! They’re meant to make reading more exciting and help you discover new things.
