LBPD Summer Reading Challenge

LBPD Summer Reading Challenge

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Summer is a great time to learn and explore new interests! LBPD joins other Maryland Libraries to promote the Collaborative Summer Library Program to encourage our patrons to keep learning over the summer.  Our summer reading program will kick off in June 2025!  Continue to check back for program details and summer challenges for our adult and youth patrons. 

2025 Theme:

This summer, the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled invites readers of all ages to join us for the 2025 Summer Reading Program: Color Our World! From June 21 to August 15, we celebrate creativity in all forms. Whether young or young at heart, you’re invited to explore the vibrant world of art through reading, making, moving, and imagining.


Why “Color Our World”?

Our 2025 theme encourages everyone to embrace the beauty of art and expression, weaving a colorful tapestry of experiences that brings joy, connection, and creativity to life. This is your chance to express yourself in ways that matter — through words, images, movement, music, and performance.


All Summer Long, You Can Explore:

    • Drawing & Painting: Play with colors and shapes using fun techniques.
    • Fiber Art & Fashion: Feel the textures and designs of fabric, yarn, and fashion.
    • Photography: Tell stories with pictures you take yourself.
    • Decor & 3D Art: Make things that pop off the page and into your space!
    • Writing & Storytelling: Create worlds with your words.
    • Performing Arts: Sing, dance, act—whatever helps you shine.

Adult Program Coming Soon!

Stay tuned for details about our 2025 Adult Summer Reading Program — more creativity, connection, and ways to Color Your World!


For Kids: Join the Fun!

Sign up for our Summer Reading Program and get your art starter pack with Wikki Stix, tactile items, and a canvas board. Earn fun objects to add to your art by reading, joining library programs, and more! Show off your masterpiece at our library or send us a photo. You could even win a t-shirt or fabulous raffle prizes

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This summer, let’s Color Our World—one page, one story, and one creation at a time. Sign up now and let your imagination lead the way!​


Register here: 

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NLS Summer Reading List​​​s:

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Adult Program:

​Coming Soon



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Youth Program:

Get ready for a summer full of creativity, fun, and reading with the 2025 LBPD Summer Reading Program: Color Our World! From June 21 to August 15, you can explore art in exciting ways — draw, paint, knit, tell stories, perform, and even dance! When you sign up, you’ll get a special art starter pack to help you create your own masterpiece. Add fun objects to your art as you read books, attend events, and join cool programs like clay sculpting, loom knitting, Readers' Theater, and fitness with Spirit Club. Show off your art at the library or send us a picture, and don’t forget — you can win a t-shirt or prizes, too! Ready to read, create, and color your world? Sign up today!​

When Does the Summer Reading Program Start?

Registration Starts: May 25, 2025

Program Starts:  June 21, 2025 

Program Ends:  August 15, 2025


How Do I Participate?

How It Works:

  1. Upon registering for summer reading, you will receive a summer reading art starter pack that contains a Wikki Stix Neon Pak, tactile objects, and a canvas board.  Throughout the summer, create tactile art by adding objects or images to your canvas board or create a free-standing work of art based on the criteria below. You can use objects from your art starter pack or any art supplies you have at home. Be creative and let your imagination run wild! 
      • Add 5 objects for each public library summer reading program you attend or participate in.
      • Add 5 objects for each NLS or LBPD summer event/program you participate in.
      • Add 3 objects for every book read from LBPD’s summer reading list.
      • Add 2 objects for each day you read or any book you read.
      • Add 1 object for every book request in braille or audio from MD LBPD.

  1. Want your art on display at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled?
  2. Send your completed artwork to the library at 415 Park Avenue, Baltimore, 21201
  3. Be sure to secure it safely for handling in the mail.
  4. Your art will be displayed in our Patron Area with your first name and the title of your piece. 
  5. Or, snap a picture and send it to the kidsdesk.lbpd@maryland.gov. 
  6. All artwork must be received by August 29th. 

Complete your summer reading exit ticket by August 15th to earn your summer reading t-shirt or to be entered into our summer reading raffles. 

Got Questions?

Email: kidsdesk.lbpd@maryland.gov

Call: 410-230-2424, option 8.


​Summer Reading Events for Youth:


​Baltimore Clayworks​

In Person Event

Ages: 8 to Adult 

Dates: May 23 and June 27th 

Join a tactile educational experience for library patrons, including instruction on hand-building coils and pinch pots. Clayworks will supply all materials needed for instruction. Each participant will have the opportunity to explore the different stages of standard clay preparation (wet, bisque, glazed) and clay tools before making their own vessel using air-dry clay, a slump mold, and stamps. All sessions will occur in person at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, 415 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201. A maximum of 20 people may attend. Registration is required. 


Loom Knitting for Youth Blind Crafters

Platform:  Zoom Virtual 

Audience:  Ages 6-17 years old  

Do you enjoy crafting and making new things? Join Terry Powers and Terri Nettles, two expert blind crafters, as they teach LBPD youth patrons how to create a rolled-up brim hat using the loom knit technique. Loom knitting is a craft that uses a loom instead of needles to weave yarn into fabric. All classes will be virtual, and materials will be provided to those who register. 


Objectives:  Students will be able to:

  • Learn how to orient the loom

  • Learn the wrap stitch 

  • Learn the anatomy of the loom

  • Thread yarn with a needle 

  • Work with the loom to create a brimmed hat


Dates & Time:  This is a 3-session class. The duration of each session is one hour.

  • Wednesday, July 16th

  • Wednesday, July 23rd

  • Wednesday, July 30th

Time:  All sessions will begin at 2 PM.  


Registration closes on May 30th.

Register using the following link: https://forms.gle/EVADuvP2w6kU5e2i8.




Join with your local public library for additional summer programming! 

​Want to join your local public library's summer reading events? You can find your local library here: 

Allegany​

Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore City
Calvert
Caroline
Carroll
Cecil
Charles
Dorchester
Frederick
Garrett
Harford
Howard
Kent
Montgomery
Prince George's
Queen Anne's
Somerset
St. Mary's ​
Talbot
Washington
Wicomico
Worcester​​



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