Your Summer is "Booked" in Darien Library's Summer Reading Program

Darien Library invites readers of all ages to participate in this year’s summer reading challenges: “Midnight at the Museum” for children, the Teen Summer Challenge for tweens and teens, and “Your Summer is Booked” for adults.  

Readers have from June 20 to August 13 to read books and enter for the chance to win prizes. Participants can pick up paper logs from the Library or join online at https://darienlibrary.beanstack.org/. In order to be eligible for prizes for the Pre-Reader and Kids programs, participants must log their challenges on Beanstack. 

The Children’s Library offers two summer reading options: one for children from birth to kindergarten and another for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Everyone who registers will receive a free book that they can pick up at the Children’s Library! Challenge sheets and recommendations from Youth Services librarians can be found online at www.darienlibrary.org/sr-kids. Readers can sign up in advance through our Beanstack website before visiting the Children’s Library for a paper copy of the reading challenge. 

Pre-readers are tasked with focusing on early literacy skills such as reading, writing, singing, playing, and talking to build a foundation for reading. One ticket will be awarded for each challenge they complete, which can be entered into one of the Children’s Library prize basket drawings. Pre-readers who complete all 16 challenges will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a family museum membership. 

Readers in kindergarten to sixth grade can complete up to 16 challenges in “Midnight at the Museum.” For each reading or activity challenge they complete, they will receive one ticket to enter towards one of the prize basket drawings. Readers who complete 10 challenges before August 13th will receive a free “Midnight at the Museum” t-shirt. 

Teen readers aged 12 to 18 can join the Teen Summer Challenge. Complete a set number of reading challenges to win a number of prizes, including a free book, a gift card, and Library swag. The Middlesex Middle School Reading Ambassadors have selected 13 books to help teen readers complete their challenge, which can be found on www.darienlibrary.org/sr-teens.  

For our adult patrons, consider your summer to be officially booked with this year’s reading challenge and expanded event line-up, including the first-ever Summer Reading Author Series. Authors Wendy Walker, Liv Constantine, Tessa Wegert, Lisa See, and David Grann will visit the Library throughout the summer to chat about their newest books. Everyone is invited to take part in the reading challenge where you get a chance to win prizes for indulging in your favorite genre or exploring new types of books. Participants can play online or pick up a game card in-person at the Library. Once registered, participants can complete any four challenges for an opportunity to win one of three “Summer Fun” themed grand prizes. Game cards, reading inspiration, and prize information can be found on www.darienlibrary.org/sr-adults.  

For more information on the summer reading challenges, participants can visit www.darienlibrary.org/summerreading.  

About Darien Library 

Darien Library is a fourteen-time Library Journal Star Library. It is among the busiest in the state with over 1,300 people visiting on an average day and has the highest per capita circulation of items in Connecticut. The Library collection includes 125,000 books and 300 newspaper and magazine subscriptions. In addition, the Library presents over 1,500 public events annually, hosting a lineup of bestselling authors, technology classes, early literacy programs, and workshops for small business owners and entrepreneurs.