LBPD Summer Reading Challenge

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.

There will be no adult tracking or awards this year. 

Adults are encouraged to participate in the NLS Summer Reading Program, running from June 16 to August 15, which invites them to track their reading and attend accessible virtual events, including a live reading with Mac Barnett, storytelling with Donna Washington, and a hands-on gardening workshop.

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

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: https://forms.gle/XcNJmv3eNmYX2zAF9

NLS Summer Reading Lists:

Adult Program:

Program Starts: June 21, 2025

Program Ends: August 15, 2025

Adults can dive into a season of discovery with the NLS Summer Reading Program! Designed with accessibility in mind, this national program offers engaging virtual events, great book recommendations, and opportunities to connect with a community of fellow readers. Explore lifelong learning, creativity, and connection this summer at loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/summer-reading.

There will be no adult tracking or awards this year.

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:

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.

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

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.

NLS Events:

Master Gardener Roger Erpelding

Monday, June 23, 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern time

Summer is a great time to get your garden growing. Master Gardener Roger Erpelding is here to help you do just that! Roger is a patron of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled and will provide tips and tricks for sighted and blind gardeners alike. Learn more about Roger Erpelding here. This session will have time for questions.

Storyteller Donna Washington

Thursday, June 26, 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern time

This one’s for the kids—or kids at heart. Donna Washington will lead an inclusive storytelling hour for children, engaging with participants in a fun and accessible way. Kids will find fun and inspiration in this hour of creativity and be encouraged to color their world with summer reading. Learn more about Donna Washington now.

Master Chef Christine Ha

Monday, July 14, 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern time

When Christine Ha won the third season of MasterChef, she was the first blind contestant on the show! Join us for a night of conversation about cooking, reading, and everything in between. Christine will tell us her story and maybe even share a recipe or two.

Musician Jono Manson

Thursday, July 24, 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern time

Color your world with music! Jono Manson has been playing his brand of music for decades, collaborating and touring with some of the biggest names in the business. Join us for a lighthearted interview that captures some of Jono’s stories and memories, as well as what he’s got planned for his next project.

Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Seed Bomb Program

Some NLS network libraries are hosting summer reading programs and events for children of all ages. For example, the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, in collaboration with its Friends group and the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, has developed an accessible, on-demand Seed Bomb workshop. This fun, hands-on program teaches you how to create seed bombs using recycled paper and wildflower seeds, bringing beauty and pollinators to your world while celebrating creativity and biodiversity. Download a transcript of the Seed Bomb workshop in BRF.

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