Welcome to Summer Reading 2026: Plant a Seed, Read! The program runs June 7-July 18, and it’s for all ages—adults, too! Read a little bit each day to earn weekly prizes, and complete all six weeks to qualify for the pool & pizza party, free book, and grand prize drawing! New this year: special prizes and parties for teens and adults. Sign up at the library, or click the button below:
Or, stop by the library to sign up in person.
How it works:
- Start logging your reading on June 7. Pick up a reading log at the library or click here to print it.
- Read at least 90 minutes a week for all six weeks to complete the challenge. That’s just 15 minutes a day for 6 days each week!
- After completing each week, check in at the library with your log to claim a small prize. Can’t stop in each week? Collect your prizes any time before July 25 (while supplies last).
- Last date to check in and be eligible for prizes is July 25.
Celebrate your accomplishment!
You can look forward to these rewards when you complete all 6 weeks of the reading challenge:
Free Book
Of your very own! To keep! Expanded selection of adult books available this year.
Parties!
Party ticket(s) awarded with completion of Week 6.
Saturday, July 31 @ 6 pm-8 pm ~ Adults-Only After-Hours Party at the Library
Music, light refreshments, activities, and door prizes! Summer Reading finishers who attend the Adults-Only party may purchase up to two additional guest tickets for $5 each (guests are not eligible for door prizes). Tickets must be purchased by July 25. Adult summer reading finishers may also attend the Pool & Pizza Party.
Saturday, August 1 @ 10 am-12 pm ~ Celebration Pool Party at Shore Acres
All ages welcome. Swimming at 10 am, followed by pizza at the pavilion at 11:30 am. Children 10 & under must be accompanied by an adult. New this year for teens: Teens (ages 12-18) can choose to attend the Pool Party at 10 am, OR public open swim at 12 pm. Either way, they can enjoy pizza in the pavilion at 11:30 am.
Grand Prize Drawing
You may enter a drawing for one of ten exciting prize bundles! Click to view prizes.
Bundle 1
+ Tanners Orchard outing for four: Admission to Back 40 Fun Acres, U-Pick Field, and Corn Maze, plus slushie/snow cone coupons and 1 dozen donuts.
Bundle 2
+ Escapetown Peoria $100 gift card
Bundle 3
+ Elevate Peoria 90-minute jump passes (2)
+ Sign & Sing Story Time tickets (4)
+ Wheels O’ Time Museum admission (2)
+ $15 McDonald’s gift card
Bundle 4
+ Wheels O’ Time Museum admission (3)
+ Movie, popcorn, and drink at Peoria Riverfront Museum (2)
+ $20 Broad Branch Farm gift card
+ $25 Dame Fine Coffee gift card
+ $5 Riverfront Market gift certificate
Bundle 5
+ First Ascent Climbing & Fitness guided climbing session for up to 6 people
Bundle 6
+ Pearce Community & Fitness Center 3-month membership (individual or family)
Bundle 7
+ Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum family membership
+ Sign & Sing tickets (2)
Bundle 8
+ Wildlife Prairie Park: four guest passes and train tickets
+ $5 Riverfront Market gift certificate
Bundle 9
+ Tickets (2) to The Great Gatsby, by Chillicothe Players, Aug. 6
+ $10 Riverfront Market gift certificate
+ $25 Dame Fine Coffee gift card
Bundle 10
+ Tickets (2) to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Chillicothe Players, Nov. 13
+ $10 Riverfront Market gift certificate
+ $25 Dame Fine Coffee gift card
Themed Summer Events
Dig into a summer of fun with “Plant a Seed, Read” themed programs! Click to view programs.
See our calendar for a complete list of library programs for all ages!
*Registration required for starred programs by calling 309-274-2719 or register online.
Tuesday, June 2 @ 3:30 pm ~ Youth Craft: Pipe Cleaner Flowers (age 6-14)
Saturday, June 6 @ 12-2 pm ~ Summer Celebration!
Monday, June 8 @ 12 pm ~ Movie: The Secret Garden (G)
Tuesday, June 9 & July 14 @ 3 pm ~ Teen Craft (6/9: Dip Dye Succulent Pots)
Tuesday, June 9 @ 6 pm ~ Digging Deeper into Your Roots: Genealogy 101*
Wednesday, June 10 & July 8 @ 6 pm ~ Garden-themed Bingo!
Thursday, June 11 @ 6 pm ~ Cooking around the World: Seeds
Friday, June 12 & July 10 @ 3 pm ~ Teen Book Club (6/12: Snapdragon, by Kat Leyh)
Monday, June 15 @ 2 pm ~ Paws to Read*
Tuesday, June 16 @ 6:30 pm ~ Adult Book Club (The Seed Keeper, by Diane Wilson)
Wednesday, June 17 @ 5:30 pm ~ Family Reading & Kneading* (age 8-14)
Thursday, June 18 @ 5:30 pm ~ Whiz Bang Science Show: Dinosaurs*
Friday, June 19 @ 1:30 ~ Remember When: Seeds & Planting (offsite at Evergreen Senior Living)
Monday, June 22 @ 12 pm ~ Movie: The Martian (PG-13)
Tuesday, June 23 @ 6:30 pm ~ Seed Saving for Beginners
Wednesday, June 24 @ 11 am ~ Adult Craft: Seed Mosaics*
Thursday, June 25 @ 6 pm ~ Beyond Honeybees: Pollinators of Central IL
Friday, June 26 & July 24 @ 3 pm ~ Tween Graphic Novel Club (age 9-13)
Tuesday, June 30 @ 6 pm ~ Let’s Taco ’bout It: Making Bioproducts from Seeds*
Wednesday, July 1 @ 5:30 pm ~ Founding Gardeners* (Kindergarten – adult)
Tuesday, July 7 @ 3:30 pm ~ Family Craft: Garden Stepping Stones*
Saturday, July 11 @ 1 pm ~ Teen Cooking: Will It Waffle?
Tuesday, July 14 @ 6 pm ~ Adult Craft: Watercolor Chicken*
Thursday, July 16 @ 6 pm ~ Seed Saving: Dry Seed*
Friday, July 17 @ 10 am-12 pm ~ Interactive Farm Day
Wednesday, July 22 @ 5:30 pm ~ Stardew Valley Café (all ages)
Thanks to our generous sponsors:
