Below you’ll find information on the summer reading programs at Denver and north Colorado libraries, as well as the summer reading programs at several retailers as well – there’s a total of eleven to choose from! Your child – and in some cases, even you – can earn everything from free tickets to Elitch Gardens free books!
Denver Public Library Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: ages birth to preschool, K through 5th grade, and 6th to 12th grade.
Registration: open through July 21st, either online or at a library branch.
Prizes: backpacks, books, and tickets to Elitch Gardens. The last day to pick up prizes is August 6th!
Get more info on the DPL’s summer reading program here!
Arapahoe Public Library Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: ages birth to 3 years, 3 to 11 years, and 11 to 17 years.
Registration: open either online or at a library branch.
Prizes: unknown.
Get more info on the ALD’s summer reading program here!
Aurora Public Library Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: birth to 5th grade, 6th through 12th grade.
Registration: sign up online or at a library branch.
Prizes: unknown
Get more info on APL’s summer reading program here!
Douglas County Libraries Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: ages 12 and under, 10-18 years, and 18 and up.
Registration: open through July 13th, either online or at a library branch. I can’t seem to find the actual link to sign up online, unfortunately.
Prizes: a water bottle, coupons and freebies, and a chance to win Elitch tickets!
Get more info on the DCL’s summer reading program here!
Jefferson County Public Library Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: infant through elementary school, teens, and adults.
Registration: open through July 31st at a JCPL branch.
Prizes: free books and other prizes.
Get more info on the JCPL’s summer reading program here!
Littleton Bemis Public Library Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: infant through 5th grade
Registration: pick up the registration form at the library
Prizes: free books and business certificates
Get more info on the Littleton Bemis Public Library’s summer reading program here!
Boulder Public Library Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: newborn to 6th graders, teens, and adults.
Registration: appears to be available at a Boulder library branch only.
Prizes: free books and an end-of-the-summer party.
Get more info on Boulder Public Library’s summer reading program here!
Poudre River Public Library Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: birth to 3 years, 4 years through 5th grade, 6th through 12th grade, and adults.
Registration: sign up online or at a library branch.
Prizes: backpacks and books
Get more info on PRPL’s summer reading program here!
Park County Public Libraries Summer Reading Program
Eligible ages: 3 and up
Registration: sign up at a library branch.
Prizes: not specified
Get more info on Park County Libraries’ summer reading program here!
Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program 2012
Eligible ages: 1st through 6th grade
Registration: go here for more information.
Prizes: one free book
Pottery Barn Summer Reading Program 2012
Eligible ages: birth to 10 years old
Registration: go here for more information
Prizes: one free book
$1.25 for Lucerne (half gallon) at Safeway, Fri-Sun Only
If any of your readers are interested, I’m doing an online kids’ book club on my blog. I’m up in Northern Colorado, but really anybody anywhere can participate. I’m doing a theme each month. June will be bug month… should be fun. :) Here’s the link, if you’re interested: http://www.the-homestyle.com/parenting/summer-read-aloud-book-club/
Our son participated in the Douglas County reading program. Great program to encourage kids to read.
But SHAME ON the businesses who offered “coupons” that are nothing but very thinly veiled marketing ploys with virtually no value. For example, Heritage Square who’s “5 free ride tickets” is nothing more than trying to sell the bands or getting the kids/adults to buy more tickets after the 2 free rides.
Hopefully next year the library will say “thank you, but no thank you” to these businesses.
Kudos to Plains Conservation Center who offered “half off family admission” to Harvest at the Homestead. Giving a discount to the kid only is more of a disappointment to a lot of kids than anything else, because their parents/guardians still have to pay full price and so may not take the kid.
That is disappointing. I know what you mean about some of the restrictions being difficult for families. The Pikes Peak Library District had one coupon that was for a free kid’s buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet. It was “limit one coupon per family” which is virtually useless for us with four eating kids. I suppose I can’t complain too much since there were some great coupons, but some are definitely less valuable than others.