Bloomington Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program will run from Tuesday, May 27 - Monday, July 28. The Summer Reading theme for 2025 is Level Up, and the Library's many Summer programs will – as always – be offered at absolutely no cost to participants!
Participants who complete the program will be rewarded with prizes for their efforts.
Is the Summer Reading Program just for kids?
No. At Bloomington Public Library, children, teens, and adults alike are encouraged to participate in the Summer Reading Program.
How do I get a reading log?
Summer Readers have a choice!
- Paper Copies of Children's logs should come home with those in D87 and U5 (Grades K-5) during the last week of the school year.
- Beginning May 27, patrons can pick up the reading log for their age group at the library, or on the Bookmobile.
- Beginning May 27, patrons can print the reading log for their age group using the links below.
Each reader will need their own log.
What can I win?
Regardless of age, those who finish the Summer Reading Program are rewarded with a completion prize pack. Additionally, those in the teen and adult age groups will be able to enter prize drawings for a chance to win a larger prize.
Completion prizes can be claimed June 9-July 28.
Prize drawings for teens and adults will take place on July 29.
Completion Prize Packs:
- Monical’s Pizza – 8-inch pizza (while supplies last; the Monical's voucher will be given to the first 3,500 kids to finish the program)
- Epic Burger – Epic entrée, Epic fry, Epic soda
- Bloomington Parks & Recreation
- Choose one of the following:
- Admission to Holiday Pool or O’Neil Aquatics Center
- Admission to the Bloomington Ice Center with skate rental
- Round of mini golf at Miller Park
- Admission to Miller Park Zoo
- Choose one of the following:
- Denny’s Doughnuts and Bakery – doughnut or cookie
- Red Raccoon Games – pair of dice
- Gingerbread House Toys – Monkey Noodle
- Normal CornBelters – Admission to 1 Corn Bash Night
- Corn Bash dates are June 1, 8, 22, 29; July 5, 6, 13, 19, 20 & 26
- Tropical Smoothie Café – 12-ounce smoothie
- The Westside BloNo – game of duckpin bowling
- Illinois State University Campus Recreation – 1 hour of video gaming or 1 hour of bowling with shoe rental
- Epic Burger – Epic entrée, Epic fry, Epic soda
- Bloomington Parks & Recreation
- Choose one of the following:
- Admission to Holiday Pool or O’Neil Aquatics Center
- Admission to the Bloomington Ice Center with skate rental
- Round of mini golf at Miller Park
- Admission to Miller Park Zoo
- Choose one of the following:
- Red Raccoon Games – pair of dice
- The Decorators’ Grocery – dragon-shaped cookie cutter
- Gingerbread House Toys – Monkey Noodle
- Bobzbay Books – sticker
- Normal CornBelters – Admission to 1 Corn Bash Night
- Corn Bash dates are June 1, 8, 22, 29; July 5, 6, 13, 19, 20 & 26
- Heartland Bank - color-changing cup
- Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore – 5 books
- Tropical Smoothie Café – 24-ounce smoothie
- The Westside BloNo – game of duckpin bowling
- Illinois State University Campus Recreation – 1 hour of video gaming or 1 hour of bowling with shoe rental
- Epic Burger – Epic entrée, Epic fry, Epic soda
- Bloomington Parks & Recreation
- Choose one of the following:
- Admission to Holiday Pool or O’Neil Aquatics Center
- Admission to the Bloomington Ice Center with skate rental
- Round of mini golf at Miller Park
- Admission to Miller Park Zoo
- Choose one of the following:
- Red Raccoon Games – pair of dice
- The Decorators’ Grocery – dragon-shaped cookie cutter
- Bobzbay Books – sticker
- Normal CornBelters – Admission to 1 Corn Bash Night
- Corn Bash dates are June 1, 8, 22, 29; July 5, 6, 13, 19, 20 & 26
- Von Champs Boutique – mini bath bomb
- Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore – 5 books
- Tropical Smoothie Café – 24-ounce smoothie
- The Westside BloNo – game of duckpin bowling
Drawing Prizes for Teens and Adults
(2) Red Raccoon Games - $25 gift card
(2) Tropical Smoothie Café - $25 gift card
(2) Bobzbay Books - $25 gift card
(2) The Gingerbread House Toys - $25 gift card
(2) The Decorators’ Grocery - $25 gift card
(2) Von Champs Boutique - $25 gift card
(2) The Westside BloNo /or/ Empire Coffee - $25 gift card
(2) LVL Up Coffee Bar - $25 gift card
(2) Epic Burger - $25 gift card
(2) Urban Air - $25 gift card
(2) The Lucca Grill – gift card for a 1-topping 12” pizza
(10) The Lucca Grill – gift certificate for a 1-topping 12" pizza
(5) Lvl Up Coffee Bar - $10 gift card
(5) Bloomington Spice Works - $20 gift card
(2) Bloomington Spice Works - $25 gift card
(5) The Olive Bin - $10 gift card
(4) The Olive Bin - $25 gift card
(4) AB Hatchery & Garden Center - $25 gift card
(4) Fox & Hounds Hair Studio and Day Spa - $25 gift card
(2) The Westside BloNo /or/ Empire Coffee - $25 gift card
(2) Yoga Lab - $25 gift card
Please thank our sponsors:
- Bloomington Public Library Foundation
- Monical's Pizza
- The Decorators' Grocery
- The Olive Bin
- Habitat For Humanity ReStore
- The Copy Shop
- Red Raccoon Games
- Clemens Insurance
- Epic Burger
- LVL Up Coffee Bar
- Heartland Bank
- Illinois State University Campus Recreation
- AB Hatchery & Garden Center
- Golden Prairie Public Library District
- Ferrero North America
- Normal CornBelters Baseball
- The Westside BloNo
- Bloomington Parks & Recreation
- Gingerbread House Toys
- Taco John's
- Fox & Hounds Hair Studio & Day Spa
- Denny's Doughnuts and Bakery
- Yoga Lab
- The Castle Theatre
- Rivian Automotive, Inc.
- Von Champs Boutique
- Bobzbay Books
- The Lucca Grill
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- GROWMARK Foundation
- Bloomington Spice Works
- Illinois State Credit Union
Teen End of Summer Reading Party
If teens, as a group, read for 5,000+ hours this summer, they will earn a teen-only, after-hours party with pizza, snacks, and prizes. Check the progress bar to see the teen summer reading goal progress!
Teen Summer Reading Party Progress
4,245 of 5,000 hours read!
Dates to remember:
- Reading logs available until July 28
- Completion prize pickup: June 9-July 28
- Prize drawings for teens and adults: July 29
Upcoming Events
Visit the Children's Desk to request a Book World Scavenger Hunt Sheet.
Then compete the following:
Join us this summer for Lego Construction, and have your picture taken with your creation. Children can participate in various challenges or build whatever they want!
Disclaimer(s)
Hearing Device Assistance
To accommodate hard-of-hearing patrons, the library offers the use of assistive listening devices in each Community Room and in each Children’s Program Room. For these devices to work, the presenter must use the room’s sound system. For the clearest sound, make sure the device is unobstructed by clothing or jewelry and sit in the first few rows.
If you experience connectivity issues, please let a staff member know. A guide on using the assistive listening devices is available.
Itsy Bitsy Arts with the Illinois Art Station offers hands-on, transformative artmaking for young artists ages 0-2 years and their families.
Disclaimer(s)
Hearing Device Assistance
To accommodate hard-of-hearing patrons, the library offers the use of assistive listening devices in each Community Room and in each Children’s Program Room. For these devices to work, the presenter must use the room’s sound system. For the clearest sound, make sure the device is unobstructed by clothing or jewelry and sit in the first few rows.
If you experience connectivity issues, please let a staff member know. A guide on using the assistive listening devices is available.
Itsy Arts with the Illinois Art Station offers hands-on, transformative artmaking for young artists ages 2-5 years and their families.
Disclaimer(s)
Hearing Device Assistance
To accommodate hard-of-hearing patrons, the library offers the use of assistive listening devices in each Community Room and in each Children’s Program Room. For these devices to work, the presenter must use the room’s sound system. For the clearest sound, make sure the device is unobstructed by clothing or jewelry and sit in the first few rows.
If you experience connectivity issues, please let a staff member know. A guide on using the assistive listening devices is available.
The Books on Tap Book Club will meet at Lil Beaver Brewery to discuss How Can I Help You by Laura Sims.
Teen Craftivism will meet monthly in June, July, and August. During Craftivism, teens will learn a new craft and the history behind it, focusing on both historical and modern uses of arts and crafts.
Disclaimer(s)
Hearing Device Assistance
To accommodate hard-of-hearing patrons, the library offers the use of assistive listening devices in each Community Room and in each Children’s Program Room. For these devices to work, the presenter must use the room’s sound system. For the clearest sound, make sure the device is unobstructed by clothing or jewelry and sit in the first few rows.
If you experience connectivity issues, please let a staff member know. A guide on using the assistive listening devices is available.
Children of all ages are welcome to join us for stories, songs, and fun during our Summer Reading Story Time!
Questions about this program can be emailed to jessew@bloomingtonlibrary.org.
Disclaimer(s)
Hearing Device Assistance
To accommodate hard-of-hearing patrons, the library offers the use of assistive listening devices in each Community Room and in each Children’s Program Room. For these devices to work, the presenter must use the room’s sound system. For the clearest sound, make sure the device is unobstructed by clothing or jewelry and sit in the first few rows.
If you experience connectivity issues, please let a staff member know. A guide on using the assistive listening devices is available.
Calling all knights of the square table!
Disclaimer(s)
Hearing Device Assistance
To accommodate hard-of-hearing patrons, the library offers the use of assistive listening devices in each Community Room and in each Children’s Program Room. For these devices to work, the presenter must use the room’s sound system. For the clearest sound, make sure the device is unobstructed by clothing or jewelry and sit in the first few rows.
If you experience connectivity issues, please let a staff member know. A guide on using the assistive listening devices is available.
The Mystery Book Club will meet to discuss A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn. Participants have the option to meet either in person at Bloomington Public Library or online via Zoom.
This writing workshop is for teens in Grades 6-12 and is perfect for creative writers! Drop by the TeenZone for writing tips and tricks and to talk about the art of prose.
Pride Night at Miller Park Zoo
Join us for Pride Night at Miller Park Zoo, a free, family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community! This event is being held in conjunction with the Prairie Pride Coalition, and Normal Public Library.
This program pairs trained and certified therapy dogs with children in Grades K-5 who want to practice reading aloud.
There will be 4 time slots available for kids to meet and read to a pup in the Children's Department: