Boston Public Library’s summer reading program for all ages begins this month

Boston Public Library locations offer summer programs for children, teens, and adults beginning this month and running through August, providing free cultural and educational programs and resources for people of all ages in the City of Boston. The children’s brochure of activities is available at all BPL locations.

“Boston Public Library continually works to instill a love of reading in people of all ages, and, appealing to the civic and community pride that Bostonians share, encourages library patrons to reach a goal of reading One Million Minutes over the summer,” said Michael Colford, Director of Library Services for Boston Public Library.

New this year, “Boston Reads One Million Minutes” is a summer reading initiative led by the Boston Public Library to encourage Bostonians of all ages to read a collective one million minutes from June through August. Boston Public Library will facilitate group “read-ins” at its 26 locations, welcome authors to read from their books, and encourage independent reading all summer long. Any kind of reading counts; whether it’s a novel on the beach, a newspaper on the T, or even e-mail at work. Listening counts as well, whether a child is at a story time, or listening to your favorite audiobook or podcast. Details on how to submit minutes can be found via www.bpl.org/bostonreads.

This summer, children explore the theme “Libraries Rock!” Kids rock out with programs from Mariana Iranzi Bilingual Concerts, New England Aquarium, Historic New England, Alex and the Kaleidoscope Concerts, Museum of Science, ReadBoston Storymobile, Countdown to Kindergarten, and more. Special kickoff events take place at all locations. Teens learn how to Cook with Miss Debbie and Breakdance with the Floor Lords, just for example.

Summer reading is for everybody, whether you read at the beach or on your commute to work. Adults may fill in a Bingo card, available at all BPL locations, or by downloading and printing the card with what you read, did, or discovered through Friday, September 7. Drop your completed card off by closing time on Friday, September 7 at any BPL location, or post a picture of the card to Instagram or Twitter using the following handles and tags: @bplboston #BostonReads.

In the Read Your Way to Fenway annual summer reading contest, children and teens ages 5-17 read three books for a chance to win three tickets to watch the Red Sox play at Fenway Park on Sunday, August 19, at 1:05 p.m. Readers may download an application in English or Spanish via www.bpl.org/summer or pick up an application at any Boston Public Library location. Essays are due to any BPL library location by Friday, July 27.

Boston Public Library thanks the following sponsors and collaborators for making the 2018 summer programs for children possible: ReadBoston Storymobile, City of Boston, Museum of Science, Red Sox Foundation, Aramark, Historic New England, New England Aquarium, Read Your Way to Fenway, and Countdown to Kindergarten.

Libraries Rock! is sponsored by the Boston Public Library and the Citywide Friends of the Boston Public Library.

About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Boston Public Library provides educational, cultural and civic enrichment, free to all, for the residents of Boston, Massachusetts and beyond, through its collections, services, programs, and spaces. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. As a City of Boston historic cultural institution, Boston Public Library today features a Central Library, twenty-five branches, a map center, business library, archival center; extensive special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints; and rich digital content and online services. The award-winning renovation of the Central Library in Copley Square, completed in 2016, together with new, renovated and historic branches, provide a transformed library for the next generation of users. Boston Public Library enriches lives, hosting thousands of free educational programs and exhibitions, and provides free library services online and in-person to millions of people each year.  To learn more, visit bpl.org.