Readers of all ages can log reading and enter prize drawings, May 30-July 11

By Paula Pyzik Scott

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is the Summer Reading program to the Ada Public Library? Absolutely a 10, say Director Rhett Grant and Youth Services Coordinator Kari Spencer as they prepare to kick off the 2026 edition, which is themed “Unearth your story” for adults and “Roar into reading” for kids.

Summer Reading is an important way to engage families and establish the habit of coming to the library for programs and materials, Grant and Spencer note. It also offers organized and independent activities during the summer, when most children have more free time. It is the library’s busiest time of the year.

The official Summer Reading kick-off event takes place on Saturday, May 30, when the library will host the Steelions steel drum band and a barnyard petting zoo, as well as offer snow cones, (washable) tattoos and face painting. Those who register at the kickoff event will be entered in a drawing for an Ada Municipal Family Pool Pass, which has been donated by the Friends of the Library.

May 30 is the first day library patrons may sign up for reading logs at the library or on ReadSquared. Reading logs will be available for children, teens and adults. Log your reading and then redeem your tickets from the front desk. Enter your tickets for a chance to win prizes. Prizes will be drawn at the end of the program.

Spencer reminds parents that summer is when some young readers actually experience a “summer slide”--when reading skills decline. Summer is a time to learn to read for enjoyment, she notes. Summer Reading lets you pick out the books you want and then get rewarded for reading them. The library staff have lots of recommendations and have stocked up on a broad range of books about adventure, sports, hunting and fishing, and history.

Prizes include items donated provided by businesses and individuals, items purchased with donated funds and via the Ada Public Library Amazon Wish List. Donations have been made by Kings Island, COSI, the Cincinnati Zoo, the Dayton Dragons and Ada’s Lewis Family McDonald’s.

Last year, the library distributed 258 prizes to kids age 10 and under. The ages of 2025 participants ranged from 6 months to over 80.

Spencer has been busy scheduling special events since last September. Summer Reading programs will take place on Tuesdays and include:

• Drummunity
• Exotic Zoo
• Realm of the Reptiles
• Dinoroars
• T-Rex Dress Up Party
• Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District

Storytime will also continue throughout the summer on Mondays at 6:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. 

Kids Art Club will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursdays.

A Summer Reading Pool Party with pizza provided by the Friends of the Ada Public Library will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 9 at the Ada Municipal Pool.

The last day to submit reading logs will be July 11.