It’s Time for the 2023 Summer Learning Challenge!

Are You Ready? 

It’s summertime and we have a full lineup of fun, engaging and entertaining experiences and performers for this year’s Summer Learning Challenge! The Summer Learning Challenge runs from June 1 – August 31 and you can find all the info you need right here.  

What is the Summer Learning Challenge?  

The Summer Learning Challenge is just that: a challenge for children, teens and adults to keep the learning fun going all year long, encouraging you to explore your interests or learn something new. This includes reading, of course (and we can get you started with free books at all of our locations!), but it can also mean going outside to explore a new park, learning a new language or how to play a musical instrument, making new friends or coming to one of our many events over the summer.  

How Do I Join?  

Every child aged 0-18 who checks out at least one item between June 1 and August 31 with a San Mateo County Libraries card is automatically enrolled in the Summer Learning Challenge, and if you don’t have a card, you can get one online! Enrolling in the Summer Learning Challenge means you are eligible to win fun prizes like a family membership to CuriOdyssey, opens a new window or a $1,000 college scholarship!* You can opt out of these drawings here. 

Increase your chances of winning by completing reading logs – each one you complete is an additional entry into the prize drawings. Pick up a log at your local library, register online by going to summerlearners.org or download and print , opens a new windowa copy of the log if you’d prefer. Logs are available in English, Spanish and Chinese. 

Adults can get in on the fun too, with our lineup of author talks and book clubs! 

What Else Is Happening?  

In addition to offering free books to help you complete this year’s Summer Learning Challenge, each library will have plenty of fun events and performances for all ages featuring multicultural celebrations, animal shows, musical shows and a little bit of magic! Check out our event listings to find the next amazing experience near you. Are you a middle schooler? If so keep a special eye out for our Middle Scholars events where you can study insects, put your breakout room skills to the test with our Lockbox Challenges, or take on a sustainable project.  

All Reading Counts!  

As you work your way through your reading logs, we want you to remember that all reading counts! So whether you’re reading fiction, nonfiction, comics or audiobooks, if you’re reading to someone else or if you’re being read to – it all can be logged!  

So, what are you going to read this summer?  

*A $1,000 college scholarship is paid into a ScholarShare 529 account; the winner must have or be able to establish an account to accept this prize.