Fired Up About Reading!
Summer Reading 2026
Lowell Public Library (219) 696-7704
Schneider Branch Library (219) 552-1000
Shelby Branch Library (219) 552-0809
June 1–July 25, 2026
Summer Reading Guidelines
(Read these guidelines before clicking on the sign-up link below.)
The Children’s Summer Reading program is for children from birth to 4th grade. Children going into middle school in the fall can participate in our YA program.
Pre-registration starts on Tuesday, May 26th for the reading portion of summer reading. Sign-ups can be done online.
The first day that books count toward prizes and reading credit is Monday, June 1st. The last day is Saturday, July 25th.
In addition to reading, we also offer various program activities each Tuesday and Thursday. Online registration for these activities at the Lowell location starts Monday, June 1st. Program sign-ups will be available online one week prior to each program and may also be taken over the phone. If you are unable to attend a program you signed up for, please call to let us know. (Registration is not currently required for Schneider’s and Shelby’s kids’ programs.)
To make sure we have enough supply for each craft, Pre-registration is required for Lowell’s kids’ programs.
Only items checked out from the Library are eligible for reading credits. Each reader will have a dragon displayed to show their progress.
When children finish reading a book, parents must fill in their child’s reading booklet, found at the desk in the children’s department. Books without chapters are considered 1 book. Each chapter in a chapter book is considered 1 book. Therefore, if a child reads a book with 12 chapters the parent would record “12” on the “ch” line after the book’s title.
For every 10 books/chapters a child reads, items will be added to their dragon :
- 10 books/chapters: dragon face
- 20 books/chapters: dragon horns
- 30 books/chapters: dragon wings
- 40 books/chapters: flames
- Every additional 10 books/chapters: gem stickers
We will be offering “grand prizes” at the end of Summer Reading. Throughout the 8 week program, readers will have the opportunity to put their name in for the end of Summer prize drawings! Prize drawings will be July 29th.
Each day that a child checks out 5 or more books, they will receive a gold coin from the front desk and they will have the opportunity to select an item from the treasure chest. When they check out 10 or more BOOKS, they will not only get their coin but also a slip to fill out for the prize drawings. Each day they check out 10 or more books, they fill out a slip. The more slips they fill out throughout Summer, the more chances they have to win one of the prizes!
When Summer Reading is completed, students who attend school at Three Creeks, Oak Hill, or Lake Prairie will have their dragon picture and booklets returned to them at school. Those children who are in preschool, homeschooled, or who attend other schools may pick up their picture and booklet from their home library branch (Lowell, Schneider, or Shelby).
Thank you for your interest in Lowell Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.
There are many books, games, crafts, prizes and lots of fun waiting for you.
Come enjoy the summer with us!
(You can print these guidelines using the PDF link below, or stop by one of our locations and pick up a copy!)
Sign Up Here!
PLEASE NOTE: This link is for signing up for Summer Reading only. You can sign your child up for programs or events offered by the library during Summer Reading (crafts, story times, etc.) on our Events page or by calling the library.
ALSO, SIGNING UP FOR THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY KEEP TRACK OF THE BOOKS YOU HAVE CHECKED OUT. You will still need to log your books in your booklet located at the Children’s desk.
Kids' Summer Reading Program Schedule
Summer Reading Kickoff
Monday, June 1st, 10am–Noon — Join us at the Lowell location for our Kids’ Summer Reading Kickoff! Get Fired Up about Reading while enjoying:
- Face painting!
- Balloon animals!
- Coloring sheets!
- Scavenger hunt!
- FREE pizza slice!
- FREE ice cream cup!
No registration required for the Kickoff — just come join the fun!
Weekly Programs
The following programs are for children from birth to 4th grade.
Children must be pre-registered to attend the Lowell programs; no registration is required for the Schneider and Shelby programs.
Preschool age and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Space is limited.
Pre-registration is required for Lowell’s programs. Register online or call 219-696-7704.
Tuesday Programs
June 9th– T.P. Roll Dragon
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required)
- 11:30 am (Schneider)
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required)
- 3:00 pm (Shelby)
June 16th– Fairy Door
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required)
- 11:30 am (Schneider)
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required)
- 3:00 pm (Shelby)
June 23rd– Fairy Windchime
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required)
- 11:30 am (Schneider)
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required)
- 3:00 pm (Shelby)
June 30th– Nature Walk/Sidewalk Chalk (Lowell); Chalk the Walk (Schneider); Movie (Shelby)
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required) [Nature Walk/Sidewalk Chalk]
- 11:30 am (Schneider) [Chalk the Walk]
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required) [Nature Walk/Sidewalk Chalk]
- 3:00 pm (Shelby) [Movie: How to Train Your Dragon]
July 7th– Mushroom Fairy House
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required)
- 11:30 am (Schneider)
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required)
- 3:00 pm (Shelby)
July 14th– Stuffy Sleepover (Lowell), Bubble Wrap Dragon (Schneider and Shelby)
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required) [Stuffy Sleepover]
- 11:30 am (Schneider) [Bubble Wrap Dragon]
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required) [Stuffy Sleepover]
- 3:00 pm (Shelby) [Bubble Wrap Dragon]
July 21st– Carnival! (Lowell), Games (Schneider), Movie (Shelby)
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required) [Carnival!]
- 11:30 am (Schneider) [Games]
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required) Carnival!]
- 3:00 pm (Shelby) [Movie: Raya and the Last Dragon]
Thursday Programs
June 11th– Dragon Egg
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required)
- 11:30 am (Schneider)
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required)
- 3:00 pm (Shelby)
June 18th– Bubble Wrap Dragon (Lowell); Edible Castle (Schneider); (No kids’ program at Shelby)
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required) [Bubble Wrap Dragon]
- 11:30 am (Schneider) [Edible Castle]
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required) [Bubble Wrap Dragon]
June 25th– Crafty Crown
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required)
- 11:30 am (Schneider)
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required)
- 3:00 pm (Shelby)
July 2nd– BINGO (Lowell and Shelby), Movie (Schneider)
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required) [BINGO]
- 11:30 am (Schneider) [Movie]
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required) [BINGO]
- 3:00 pm (Shelby) [BINGO]
July 9th– How to Train Your Dragon Movie (Lowell), BINGO (Schneider), Chalk the Walk (Shelby)
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required) [Movie: How to Train Your Dragon]
- 11:30 am (Schneider) [BINGO]
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required) [Movie: How to Train Your Dragon]
- 3:00 pm (Shelby) [Chalk the Walk]
July 16th– Book Walk (Lowell and Schneider), (No kids’ program at Shelby)
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required)
- 11:30 am (Schneider)
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required)
July 23rd– Fire Department visit to the library! (Lowell), Pizza Party (Shelby), (No Kids’ Program at Schneider)
- 10:30 am (Lowell; registration required) [Fire Department visit]
- 1:30 pm (Lowell; registration required) [Fire Department visit]
- 3:00 pm (Shelby) [Pizza Party]
Balloon Show (Lowell)
*Saturday, June 13th 3:00 – 4 P.M — Smartypants balloon show!
MUST BE REGISTERED TO ATTEND
Important Summer Reading Reminders
Saturday, July 25th is the LAST DAY TO ENTER BOOKS FOR SUMMER READING CREDIT!
Log 50 books or chapters by the last day of Summer Reading to receive a ticket for the End-of-Summer Bubble Foam Party on Thursday, July 30th.
Rain date: Friday, July 31st
The Summer Bubble Foam Party will be hosted at the Lowell location and will be for Summer readers with tickets only. Readers MUST present their ticket to enter the foam zone.
