Reading Programs

Summer Learning 2026 is complete. Thank you for another great summer!

A tall infographic with a green background and a white, black-bordered layout presents statistics from the Henry Co Public Library’s 2026 Summer Learning program, titled “Unearth a Story.” The design uses dark green and black text, large numerals, illustrated dinosaurs and children, circular activity icons, and photographs. The top banner contains the “Unearth a Story” logo and the title “Henry Co Public Library Summer Learning 2026.” A centered divider reads “By the Numbers.” Below it, the infographic is divided into several sections: Registrations: 829 registrations, including 211 adults. Youth Services registration increased by 14.66%. The Bookmobile registered three groups for Ready to Learn and four for Summer Learning 2026. An illustration of children with a green dinosaur appears beside the statistic. Badges Earned: 3,686 badges earned. The section notes that 217 children earned at least one reading badge, the Digger of Dinosaur badge was earned 206 times, and 90 adults earned an Unearth a Story badge. It includes a large medal illustration and five circular activity icons. Activities Completed: 10,190 activities completed. Reading a book about dinosaurs was the most completed activity among children. Acts of kindness and surprising someone with a treat or gift tied as the most completed activity among adults. A dinosaur reading a book is pictured. Minutes Read: 708,878 minutes read, equivalent to 11,814 hours and 38 minutes. The section notes that caregivers read an estimated 511 books to infants and toddlers in their care, and that 15 adults read for 100 hours. An illustration shows a child reading beside a purple dinosaur. Programs: 120 programs with total attendance of 7,023. The section lists attendance at the Back 2 School Celebration, visits for a touch-a-truck event, and attendance at the Wacky Wednesday series. A photograph shows a large truck with children nearby. Community participation: 2,747 Learning Depot visits, 215 completed scavenger hunts, 233 children and teens receiving free school supplies, 19 community partners supporting Summer Learning 2026, and 18 teen volunteers contributing 699 hours of community service. A purple dinosaur illustration appears below the text. Meals: 2,854 lunches provided at the library and 163 snack bags given out. A photograph shows children eating at a table. The section also explains that extra Lunchables were not included, each lunch came with breakfast for the next morning, and the Kiwanis Club provided free meals at two events.

Winter Reading Program and Bucket List Challenge Every December and January

Registration will open December 1, 2026

Register for the Winter Reading Program here: https://henrylibrary.beanstack.org/reader365

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenges families to read 1000 books together before a child’s first day of kindergarten.  Because reading together early has been linked to school success, this challenge aids in getting a child ready for school while promoting positive family interactions.  Families receive small incentives like sidewalk chalk and finger puppets throughout the journey to 1000 books and the library will host special programs for participants. 

Upon reaching 1000 books, children receive a certificate, book, and special photo magnet to commemorate their accomplishment.  Every 100 books read also earns an entry into drawings held every two months for a backpack full of kindergarten school supplies.  Registration for the program is always open.  Once registered families can visit the library or bookmobile to pick up their badge books. Your child’s badge book includes reading logs, stickers, special activities, and suggested reading lists.  The badge books can be used alongside Beanstack to keep track of the number of books read and prizes earned.

Register for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten here: https://henrylibrary.beanstack.org/reader365