All Libraries will be closed Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial day.

Summer Reading Program 2023 June 10th – August 5th

Join Us... It's all FREE @ your Richmond Public Library!

Join our summer reading adventure and start exploring! It’s fun for all ages with storytimes, programs, community activities, crafts, and more… it’s easy!

It's as easy as 1, 2, READ

01

Get Your Reading Log

  • Register at your neighborhood RPL, on the RPS Lit Limo, or online. We will give you a calendar log to track your reading.
02

Start Reading

  • Read 15 minutes or more and color in that day on the calendar.
03

10 days of reading

  • After 10 boxes are colored, bring your calendar into any RPL Branch or the RPS Lit Limo and enter for a chance to win a grand prize. Do this as many times as possible before the end the Summer Reading Program.
04

Win Prizes

  • We’ll announce the grand prize winners at our Summer Reading Finale on Saturday, August 5 at Maymont. (You do not need to be present to win.)
Child in a baseball cap holding an oversized book Hands holding alphabet blocks

Summer Reading Program 2023 LOG

Register for this year's Summer Reading Program and we'll send you a log to start recording your minutes spent reading!

friends sharing a pair of earbud headphones Young child reading a book

Summer Reading Events

Summer Reading Kick Off

All Ages

Stop by and grab your Summer Reading Log, enjoy some snacks, and make some cool crafts as we celebrate being ALL TOGETHER NOW! Don't forget to pick up our summer reading program guide so you can put some amazing events on your calendars this summer!

RippleCon

All Ages

Join us for RippleCon, Richmond Public Library’s first-ever event celebrating all things fandom. Snap a picture with members of the 501st and Rebel Legions (internationally-recognized Star Wars cosplay groups), learn to play a new board game, Magic: the Gathering, and play in a Switch Smash Bros. Tournament. Enjoy crafts, snacks, and buy some cool merch from local artists. Panels will feature fantasy and comic book authors and illustrators, cosplay creators, and more. Come in your best costume, or make one here, and compete in a cosplay contest with cash prizes for all skill levels. All ages welcome.

Chris Campbell LIVE!

All Ages

Chris Campbell is a popular ventriloquist, singer and songwriter for children! Come participate in a live, interactive concert, complete with upbeat songs from Mr. Chris's collections: "All Together Now" and "Be a Kid", along with his lively characters! Mr. Chris's show delivers pure fun for the whole family!

Cake Pop Sensations!

All Ages

Beat the heat while having some cake pop fun! Join Victoria's Kitchen Kids Cooking School as they show you - hands on - how to make some fun, summer ice cream sundae cake pops! Perfect for ages 6-12. Must register for the event.

AWARE Animal Rescue

All Branches

All Ages

Come see many Virginia wildlife that have been rescued and rehabilitated. Hear their amazing stories and you even get to pet some of them. Ducks, oppossums, small critters and even a huge snake!

Summer Reading Finale

All Ages

Join us at Maymont Park (near the petting animal farm) for a fun filled Summer Reading Finale! There will be games, crafts, Kona Ice, and of course drawings of our Summer Reading Grand Prizes!

A special thanks to all of our community partners for their donations of our Grand Prizes and help with this event:
  • Flying Squirrels
  • CMoR
  • Lewis Ginter Botantical Gardens
  • SMV, Tech Exchange
  • Byrd Theater
  • VisArts
  • Thrive Birth to Five
  • Maymont Center
  • Parks and Rec

We have even more events going on throughout the summer!

Prizes

Check out the awesome prizes our community partners have donated this year! Drawings for these prizes will happen at the Summer Reading Finale at Maymont Park.

  • Infant Basket- Basket full of goodies from books to learning games. Perfect for building your young child’s mind. Great for children ages 0 to 20 months old.
  • Toddler Basket- Basket full of goodies from books to learning games. Perfect for building your young child’s mind. Great for children ages 20-36 months old.
  • Byrd Theatre- 48 tickets to be used for movies between August 2023 and December 2024. Save them for yourself or take some friends- It’s all up to you!
  • Children’s Museum of Richmond- Family membership for 1 year to the Children’s Museum of Richmond. There are so many wonderful things to do and learn to help your child grow. Great for a family with children under 6.
  • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden- 4 pack of tickets to use anytime (except during the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights).
  • Richmond Flying Squirrels- Family 4 pack of tickets for Saturday, September 9, 2023 and the opportunity to throw the first pitch with RIPPLE!
  • Science Museum of Virginia- Family membership for 1 year to the Science Museum of Virginia. With so many incredible things to do at the museum, your child will love learning in a fun way. Great for a family with children ages 6 and up.
  • The Tech Exchange- $150 in gift card to Tech Exchange where all of your tech needs can be met. Looking for a game, pieces to fix tech, or new tablets/computers? Choose how you want to spend your money!
  • Visual Arts Center of Richmond- 2 classes of your choice at VisArts located in Carytown, Richmond, VA. Choose what type of art classes you want to take. What will you create today?