"The Summer Reading Program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act."
For 2025, we invite you to embark on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating the myriad ways in which art enriches our lives. Designed to inspire and engage readers of all ages through a diverse array of artistic expressions, this summer you will see activities, books, and programs centered around the 2025 theme, "Color Our World."
Our libraries will host various summer activities, including educational programs, reading challenges, craft projects, storytimes, and more! Many libraries sponsor reading contests, and award prizes to participants who meet their designated reading goals. Children—and in many communities, teens, and preschoolers—may join any time during the program dates and participate by reading books and checking out other library resources. Some libraries have special summer reading programs for adults, as well!
Keeping young people reading and learning during their summer vacation is vital to the future success of students. Young people can lose two months of reading achievement during the summer, meaning they could be two grade levels behind by the time they reach sixth grade. In addition to participating in your local summer reading program, there are other ways parents can help their children keep learning during their summer vacations:
