Summer Reading 2022: Oceans of Possibilities

Johnson County Library promotes reading and literacy by offering access to books, programs and presenters during the summer months to help encourage our community to keep reading and reduce summer slide. Research shows that kids who don’t practice reading skills during times when school is not in session can lose gains in ability made the previous academic year.

The Library also aims to build in-home libraries through the in-branch and outreach book distribution. Having access to books within arm’s reach naturally promotes an increase in daily reading habits. In fact, just 20 minutes of reading a day can provide exponential gains for a child’s exposure to language, the long-term amount of time engaged in text, and as a result a greater understanding of the world around them, leading to increased test scores.

We’ll update this website and our social media accounts frequently with new information and updates about our Summer Reading program. Follow @jocolibrary on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  We also offer a bi-weekly Summer Reading email newsletter this June and July with featured programming, reading recommendations, and more tips for summer fun. Sign up »

Our Summer Online Calendar is now available! Please check the calendar for further details on dates, times, and branch and park locations.

Youth-centered June programs will be offered virtually or outdoors, including the Summer Reading Launch on Saturday, June 4th.  The Library is excited to offer following programs virtually:

Storytimes, Youth book clubs, Special Feature Storytime with Deborah Lee Rose, 123 Andres Live!, a penguin encounter with the Kansas City Zoo, and Juneteeth programs and offerings.

Additional Summer Reading programs that will be hosted on-site at select branches include:

• Read to A Dog
• Didja Ever See a Fishy? with storyteller Priscilla Howe
• Dive into Science with Mad Science
• Circus Variety Show with Martika Daniels! 

Johnson County Library’s Summer Reading program will also partner with Movies in the Park in July to offer viewings of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Free Willy, and Finding Nemo.  The KC Civic Orchestra will perform prior to the Free Willy showing and Mesner Puppet Theater will perform prior to Bedknobs and Broomsticks showing.

Most events will require registration. A full list of events and registration details is available on our Online Events Calendar.

Yes, we will host Oceans of Possibilities youth sticker and poetry contests. All entries will be submitted online and judged by teens, with the assistance of Library staff. Keep an eye on our Contests page for details. 

Summer Reading books will be distributed at each Library location this year during the month of June only. Branches will begin offering one free book per family member beginning June 1st and concluding June 30th, while supplies last.

The Library remains committed to community outreach and, as mentioned above, building in-home libraries. Therefore, we are once again working with community partners like school districts, rec centers and non-profit organizations to give away books at their events and locations.

Johnson County Library has ordered over 24,000 books across all age groups within the following categories:  Board, Picture, Easy Reader, J Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Teen. In addition to books, we’ll offer bookmarks, reading logs, and stickers at each location.

Currently, we have one outreach librarian to take requests for Summer Reading promotion. If you are interested, please reach out to Christine Peterson @ petersonc@jocolibrary.org and she will follow up accordingly.