Edison Public Library Gears Up Summer Reading Program 2024

EDISON, NJ - The Edison Public Library is all ready for its 2024 Summer Reading Program (SRP).

Open to all ages, including those who read and those who can be read to, the program will run from June 23 through Aug. 31 and feature incentives, special events, and prizes for children, teens, and adults over the course of 10 weeks at all Library locations.

“Summer is the perfect time to let kids read for fun. It helps build and strengthen their vocabulary in a low-key way that helps stave off 'summer slide' - the loss of knowledge that can happen when children are out of school for extended periods,” said Caroline Aversano, supervising librarian for programs & services at the Edison Public Library.

“For adults, it's an opportunity to reset - find a new hobby or explore a new genre. We welcome patrons of all ages to take part in the many programs and events we have planned.”

The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Program is ‘Adventure Begins at Your Library. Festivities will kick off on Saturday, June 22 with children’s singer and entertainer Tim Hoh.

Performances, followed by crafts, glitter tattoos, balloon animals, and cotton candy, will take place at the Main Library (ML) at 10 a.m.; Clara Barton Branch (CBB) at 11:30 a.m.; and the North Edison Branch (NEB) at 1 p.m.

On Wednesday, June 26, presentations from Camden Aquarium’s Center for Aquatic Sciences will take place at 11a.m. at NEB and 1:30 p.m. at ML.

For adults, the program will launch on Sunday, June 23 with the Music of the Exotic World concert. The event will take place at the Main Library at 2 p.m., and will feature selections from Turkey, Algeria, Kenya, UAE, India, Iran, Korea, China, Colombia, Peru, Malta, and more performed by Acclaimed International Concert Violinist Dr. David Podles.

And, as in previous years, patrons of all ages will be able to log their reading beginning June 23 through Beanstack and Summer Reading Challenges will be divided by age groups - Early Literacy (birth to age 5); children (age 6 to 11); teens (age 12 to 18); and adult (19+). Participants will earn badges based on the number of books read/logged (up to 50 max) with each badge including tickets that can be entered into random prize drawings taking place at the conclusion of the program.

The deadline to submit tickets is 4 p.m. Aug. 31 and each prize is valued between $50 and $75 with at least five prizes set to be awarded in each age category.

The SRP also includes a weekly activity component through which patrons of all ages can check in with staff at any library branch, including the Bookmobile, and win a small prize such as Edison Public Library tchotchkes, Summer Reading Program-themed items, or a coupon for a free book. For a chance to win, a Beanstack account and enrollment in the appropriate age-specific Summer Reading Challenge is required.

To sign up for a free Beanstack account, click here; to see all the programs and events taking place this Summer, stop by your local Branch or head on over to the Edison Public Library's website and click on the ‘Events’ tab.