The Summer Reading Program has concluded for 2024.
More than 26,140 kids, teens, and adults took part in The Indianapolis Public Library’s 105th Summer Reading Program, which ended on July 31, 2024. Readers devoted 21,901,629 minutes to reading while earning prizes generously donated by community sponsors, far surpassing our goal of 18 million minutes read. Read more about it!
We look forward to seeing you, summer, 2025!
When you participate in the Indianapolis Public Library’s Summer Reading Program you can explore great stories and earn prizes for reading! Prizes are earned at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading.
Summer Reading Rules:
Registration begins - May 1, 2024
First day to log reading time – Saturday, June 1, 2024
Last day to log reading time – Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Last day to pick up prizes – Saturday, August 3, 2024
Prize quantities are limited. Prizes are subject to change.
Minutes are not transferable between individuals.
A maximum of 20 hours will be awarded to each participant.
Grand prize winners will be contacted in August 2024.
How It Works:
Read! Track the time you spend reading, reading aloud, or having someone read to you, including audiobooks. What you read is up to you— any book, graphic novel, magazine, e-book, or newspaper counts. Read items from home, borrow from a friend, or visit the Library to find your next read!
Track Reading Time! Use Beanstack or our paper trackers to measure your progress. You can pick up paper reading trackers at any of our locations, or you can download and print one from home. There is an early literacy tracker for children ages 0-5 and a tracker for children ages 6-18.
Earn Prizes! Want to reach the full 20 hours of reading? Prizes are earned at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading. Plus, earn a bonus prize when you complete seven Discover Activities. Prizes can be redeemed at any Indianapolis Public Library location.
Want to reach the full 20 hours? 20 minutes a day can get you there!
How to Register and Track Your Reading
Register at the Library:
1. Visit or call your closest Indianapolis Public Library location to register with a staff member.
2. Keep track of your reading on the Beanstack app or on the attached tracking sheet.
3. Find your nearest branch at indypl.org/locations.
Please note our Nora and Pike branches will be closed for extended renovation in 2024.
Register on the Beanstack App:
1. Participants over age 13 or caregivers can create accounts to track minutes and activities.
2. Go to your device’s app store and search for Beanstack Tracker and download the app.
3. Select to participate “at my library.” Search for Indianapolis Public Library and select.
4. Follow the steps to register an individual or family.
5. Track your reading this summer on the app or with a tracking sheet.
If you already have an account, you need to only enroll in “Kids and Teens Summer Reading 2024” with The Indianapolis Public Library.
Register Online:
1. Participants over age 13 or caregivers can create accounts to track minutes and activities.
3. Under “Create an account,” click on “Register an Individual or Family.”
4. Fill in your information. Beanstack allows families to be linked together so all family members can be accessed with one login.
5. Track your reading this summer online or with a tracking sheet.
If you already have an account, you need to only enroll in “Kids and Teens Summer Reading 2024” with The Indianapolis Public Library.
Group Registration:
If you represent a local summer camp, daycare, or school that wants to participate in Summer Reading, you can register as a group. Please contact your local library for details.
Need help?
Our staff can help you register and track progress online or in the app.
Summer Reading Program Prizes
Prizes while supplies last and subject to change.
Gluten free, kosher, and halal snack options available.
Baby & toddler safe toys available for 5 years old and under.
1 Hour
One item from prize bin OR snack
5 Hours
Snack OR Fold-up Flyer OR Pet Stetchy String
10 Hours
Book AND Baseball Pass OR Pizza Coupon OR Magic Drawing Board
15 Hours
Book OR Mini Blocks Figure OR Basketball Pass
20 Hours
Book AND Haunted House Pass OR State Museum Pass OR Bitty Buddies
Bonus Prize: Complete 7 of 11 Discover Activities
One item from prize bin OR Eiteljorg Museum Pass
Grand Prizes
All readers who log time will be eligible for grand prizes at the end of the summer if we reach 18 million minutes read along with the Adult Summer Reading Program! Prizes for kids ages 0-18 include Nintendo Switch consoles, Amazon Gift cards, one of two Indiana529 Plans, and more! Winners contacted in August.
Try these Discover Activities to earn a bonus prize!
Discover and complete 7 of the 11 activities to win a bonus prize. Visit your local library to collect special stamps along the way. Pick up an activity tracking form at one of our locations or print the tracking form at home.
Discover Giving! Donate a new or used book at your local library. Books will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. What book did you donate? What do you hope someone enjoys about the book?
Discover Kindness! Greet people as they come into the Library or say hello to a librarian you have not met before. Who did you meet?
Discover Storytelling! Tell a librarian your favorite tongue twister or tell them about the best book you’ve ever read. What did you share?
Discover Your Neighborhood! Explore outside your local library and listen to the nature sounds or not-so nature sounds. What sounds did you hear? What do you see?
Discover Art!
Check out a book with a cover or illustrations you love. What does the art tell you about the story?
Discover Writing!
Send a message through the Pet Pals Post. Complete at your local library with special stationery! What did you learn from a book you read this summer?
Discover the World! Log on to a library computer and browse the catalog or play a game. Ask a librarian for help if you don’t know where to start! What book did you find? What game did you play?
Discover the Library! Attend a program, visit a new branch, or explore our website. What did you learn?
Discover Music! Ask a librarian how to use Hoopla or check out a CD. What music did you listen to? What was your favorite song?
Discover Food! Check out a book about food or a cookbook and make a dish. What did you learn? What recipe did you make?
Discover Reading! Check out three books that interest you from the Library. What books did you check out? Which one are you most excited to read?
Discover the Survey! Have your grown-up complete our survey and be entered to win a Meijer gift card! Complete the survey online or pick one up at any Library location.
Pet Adoption Wagon - Find Your Fur-ever Friend
Ready to welcome a new furry friend into your life? Join us at IndyHumane Pet Adoption Wagon this summer! Meet a wonderful variety of pets eagerly awaiting their second chance at happiness. See the Pet Adoption Wagon schedule. For more information, please visit Indy Humane.
Join us for free workshops for kids & teens!
All Ages
1, 2, 3 Andrés All Ages A high-energy interactive show, en inglés y en español. GRAMMY award winning 123 Andrés brings fresh, original songs that blend Spanish and English and get the whole family dancing. ¡Un concierto interactivo, para niños y familias! See the 1, 2, 3 Andrés schedule.
Animal Meet and Greets with Silly Safaris All Ages Meet up to three animals at these casual drop-in sessions presented by Silly Safaris. Ask your questions and take a picture with the critters. See the Animal Meet and Greets with Silly Safaris schedule.
Animal Shows with Silly Safaris All Ages Go on a wild adventure with Silly Safaris in this sit-down, 45-minute live animal show! You’ll have the chance to see animals up close and ask questions. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation.See the Silly Safaris Animal Show schedule.
Paws for a Cause: Crafter for Shelter Animals All Ages Kids and families will create DIYs to benefit IndyHumane to make a positive impact on animals in the Indianapolis community. See the Paws for a Cause schedule and register.
Pets Rock! All Ages Rocks make wonderful pets! Unleash your imagination as you choose, decorate, and personalize your very own pet rock companion. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation.See the Pets Rock! schedule and register.
Early Childhood
Act It Out Storytime with React Ages 3-6 Children ages 3-6 will join React to act out stories featuring pets! Can you be a snake or a bunny? After reading the story, act it out! Some sessions will include ASL interpretation.See the Act It Out Storytime schedule and register.
Teen
Teen DIY Plant Pets with Purdue University
Ages 12 and up
Embark on a journey of creativity and nature. Create and decorate your very own plant pet and learn how to grow plants at home with Purdue Extension.Register at your branch or online at indypl. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Teen DIY Plant Pets schedule and register.
School Age
Build It! Woodworking Workshops with Deeply Ingrained Ages 6 and up Learn basic woodworking skills – how to measure, mark, and use tools safely. Each participant starts with raw materials and leaves with a sense of accomplishment, pride, and a functional finished project! All materials, tools and equipment are provided. Ages 6-8 may need assistance from adults. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Build It! Woodworking Workshop schedule and register.
Pet Dash Challenge Obstacle Course with JumpBunch Ages 6 and up Increase mobility and flexibility through a series of maneuvers in our pet training obstacle course. Inspire movement, problem-solving, and strengthen fine motor skills with each challenge! Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Pet Dash Obstacle Course schedule and register.
Vet Adventures Animal First Aid Ages 6 and up Take a crash course in animal first aid. Learn the basics of pet safety, compassionate care, and take home your own animal first aid kit. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Vet Adventures Animal First Aid schedule and register.
Virtual Author Talk: A Visit to Deckawoo Drive - A Conversation with Mercy Watson and Kate DiCamillo PreK - 2nd Grade Tuesday, July 9 at 2 p.m. Join us for a visit to Deckawoo Drive with everyone’s favorite adventure loving pig, Mercy Watson! Newbery Medal winning author Kate DiCamillo will be sharing the stories behind the creation of her early chapter book series, the original Mercy Watson, and the follow up series. Register for Kate DiCamillo's virtual author talk.
Virtual Author Talk: Surviving the Summer with The Last Kids on Earth - A Conversation with Max Brallier 3rd-6th Grade Tuesday, July 16 at 2 p.m. Would you survive a zombie apocalypse? Join us to talk with New York Times bestselling author Max Brallier about The Last Kids on Earth, both the book series and the animated series on Netflix. Register for Max Brallier's virtual author talk.
Virtual Author Talk: Graphic Novels for Life! - Telling Your Own Story in a Graphic Novel with Dan Santat 5th-8th Grade Tuesday, July 30 at 2 p.m. Join this year’s winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, Dan Santat, as he inspires tweens and teens to tell their own stories through graphic novels. Register for Dan Santat author talk.
Six ways to encourage reading at home.
Need some inspiration for reading outside of school? Look no further!
1. Create a dedicated reading space. Help your child find a quiet, cozy place to relax and focus on their reading.
2. Talk to your child about their reading. Show your interest by asking questions to motivate them to continue reading.
3. Let them explore their interests. Children are eager to read about topics they are already interested in.
4. Read regularly. Establish a daily routine of reading aloud to your child, take turns reading passages aloud together, or set aside time to read quietly together.
5. Lead by example. Let your child see you reading for enjoyment. Join our Adult Summer Reading Program and read alongside your child.
6. Variety is the spice of life. There are many kinds of books – joke books, audiobooks, graphic novels, and a whole lot more, so let them have their pick!
Are you up for a reading challenge this summer?
If The Indianapolis Public Library community completes 18 million minutes of reading, including our Adult Summer Reading Program, all readers who log reading time will be entered into grand prize drawings at the end of the summer! Prizes for kids ages 0-18 include Nintendo Switch consoles, Amazon gift cards, one of two 529 College Choice CD savings accounts, and more!
Share the gift of reading with our annual Summer Reading Book Drive.
Help us make a lasting impact on young readers by donating books to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. Your donation of new or gently used books will open doors to endless adventures for children in our community. Drop off donations at any Indianapolis Public Library branch through August 3.
Reading recommendations for kids from Library staff.
Animal Themed Crafting for Kids Get inspired by your favorite animal friends! Each entry comes with a list of materials needed to get started with your chosen activity, though extras may be needed depending on the project.
Bow Wow!! This list contains picture books that feature dogs.
Check Meowt! This list has both fiction and non-fiction cat-related offerings to satisfy your cuteness curiosity for the eventual long hot days ahead.
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge It's a hard, hard thing when a beloved pet passes on. Here are some book recommendations to help kids ease their broken heart.
Pet detectives Many of the world's greatest detectives have four legs and a cold, wet nose. Meet these crime-solving animals who, sometimes assisted by their human allies, crack the toughest of cases.
Pets With Jobs For Kids Everyone loves their pets! Some pets are more than just a cute face and best friend, some pets have important jobs in the community. Find out more about these special pets and their jobs
Shelter Pet Love These stories will encourage you to visit a shelter, to consider volunteering, or even to consider taking home a new member of the family.
We Love Pets There are so many wonderful picture books about adopting and taking care of pets. Here you can find a list of titles on pet dogs, cats, and more!
We're Here to Burgle Your Turts! The list below has both fiction and non-fiction turtle-related offerings to go completely shell over fin for during the eventual long hot days ahead.
