Durham, NC — Beginning Saturday, June 14, library patrons of all ages will begin participating in Durham County Library’s annual Summer Reading program. This year’s theme, “Color Our World,” is a celebration of the many ways art enriches our lives. Patrons are invited to stop by any Durham County Library location from June 14 through August 2 to pick up a paper reading log. Signup and completion prizes will be available while supplies last. Summer Reading is made possible by the generous support of the Durham Library Foundation and the Friends of the Durham Library. Be sure to visit DurhamCountyLibrary.org/SummerReading for additional details.

“I love every Summer Reading, but I’m especially excited for this year's theme, Color Our World, because of how it will showcase the creative talents of our community and staff,” said Lauren Wise, a children’s librarian at North Regional Library and chair of the Summer Reading committee. “I can’t wait to see everyone’s artistry and passion shine through our displays, programming, and shared experiences that inspire and brighten our lives.”

Readers of all ages are encouraged to participate, and a library card is not necessary to sign up. At the end of the approximately seven weeks of Summer Reading, a raffle for grand prizes will take place at each location for toddlers and preschoolers, elementary school-aged children, teens and young adults, and adults. Each completed reading log submitted to a library location earns one entry in the raffle. Completed reading logs will be accepted until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, and the prize drawings will be on the following Monday.

We invite members of the Durham community to join us for our kickoff events at each of our locations. Please see below for details:

• Summer Reading Kickoff Splash Party Thursday, June 12, 2 - 4:30 p.m. South Regional Library Registration Required
• Main Library Kickoff Event Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Main Library Registration Not Required
• Rainbow-Themed Teen Lock-In Friday, June 13, 6:15 - 9 p.m. Southwest Regional Library Registration Not Required
• North Regional Library Kickoff Event Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. - Noon North Regional Library Registration Not Required
• East Regional Library Kickoff Event Saturday, June 14, 11 - 5 p.m. East Regional Library Registration Required
• After-Hours Adults-Only Kickoff Event Saturday, June 14, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Main Library Registration Required
• Southwest Regional Library Kickoff Event Monday, June 16, 3 - 5 p.m. Southwest Regional Library Registration Not Required
• Stanford L. Warren Branch Library Kickoff Wednesday, June 18, 4 - 6 p.m. Stanford L. Warren Branch Library Registration Not Required

About Durham County Library

Durham County Library encourages discovery, connects the community, and leads in literacy. For more information about the library, visit DurhamCountyLibrary.org.

About the Durham Library Foundation

Durham County Library receives generous funding from the Durham Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded 25 years ago to develop and encourage the long-term financial health and growth of Durham County Library.

About the Friends of the Durham Library

The Friends of the Durham Library is a nonprofit organization that helps fund programs, services, and materials at Durham County Library. You can help by becoming a member, attending a book sale at Books Among Friends or a pop-up sale at a library location, and donating gently used books.

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