Siouxland Libraries Announces 2025 Summer Reading Program
Published on May 21, 2025
Siouxland Libraries announced its 2025 Summer Reading Program, “Color Our World.” This program, designed for all ages from babies to adults, encourages reading all summer throughout Minnehaha County and Sioux Falls. This year’s Summer Reading Program will run from May 23 through August 15, 2025.
“Summer Reading is our biggest program every year," says Neliesha Daws, Birth to Five Program Librarian at Siouxland Libraries. “Last year, over 5,000 participants registered, with almost 3,000 finishing the program. We are passionate about this program because not only do we love welcoming so many people into our branches, but we also are here to support reading during the summer, a great way to maintain literacy skills and combat ‘summer slide.’”
The annual program aims to address the critical issue of summer slide, the loss of academic progress that can occur when children take time off from reading and learning during the summer months.
"A strong foundation in reading is crucial for a child’s success in school and life," Daws emphasizes. "When children take the summer off from reading and learning, they can lose two to three years of academic growth by the time they reach middle school."
This year's theme, “Color Our World,” inspires a program that incorporates literacy, dance, art, and more into the world. Siouxland Libraries has planned a variety of programs for all ages, including storytimes, dance classes, art and cartooning classes, a magician, sensory water play, ZooMobile, book walks, an art contest, an end-of-summer party, and a teen lock-in.
“Our program encourages everyone to read every day, and one of the best things about our Summer Reading Program is that families can participate together,” said Nicole Norton, Kindergarten to 5th Grade Program Librarian. “We encourage families to make reading a shared activity, such as reading aloud together, discussing books, or simply sharing what they’re reading. We aim to make this a shared and enjoyable experience.”
Participants in the Summer Reading Program can earn prizes for reaching their reading goals.
- Children from birth to five years old have 30 challenges designed around five pillars of learning: reading, talking, writing, playing, and singing.
- Children in kindergarten through 5th grade are challenged to read for 20 hours.
- Teens are challenged to read for 30 hours, with a prize awarded every five hours.
- Adult participants can complete seven challenges to receive a prize and be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize.
For more information about the 2025 Summer Reading Program, including a complete schedule of events and prize details, visit siouxlandlib.org/summer-reading-program.