Find your reason to read

Read for the pets. Read for your school. Read for the prizes. Just read.

It’s a long summer ahead, and we’ve set some pretty lofty Summer Reading: Mission to Read, opens a new window goals. Luckily, there are so many reasons to stay motivated and log those minutes this summer.

Help your school soar to new heights
We challenge all Jefferson County Public School students (ages four – 18) to read for their schools. When you do, your school could win $800 to support library or reading-related programming. To enter the school competition, opens a new window, simply select your school when registering or update reader information when you go to log your minutes. The minutes you read automatically count toward the competition. Only five schools can win, so step aboard and get reading! 

Sorry parents and teachers – this contest is only for the Jefferson County Public School students (ages four – 18), but please encourage and cheer on participants.

Read long and help pets prosper
We’re shooting for a record-breaking goal of reading 50 million minutes as a county this year. When we log our 50 millionth minute, the pets at Foothills Animal Shelter, opens a new window receive a $500 cash award. The award helps fund the shelter’s valuable services and programs like finding forever homes to the animals they shelter. And every bit of reading counts, so log those minutes to support our furry friends.

Earn some SWAG
Who doesn’t love a little incentive? When you reach your reading goals, you’ll win awesome summer prizes, like Elitch Gardens amusement park tickets, free books or maybe even a $100 Target gift card!

Summer Reading: Mission to Read Prizes
Age Halfway Finisher
Read... Win! Read... Win!
Babies & Toddlers (0 - 3) 4 hours of pre-reader activities (read, write, talk, play and sing) Book 8 hours of pre-reader activities (read, write, talk, play and sing) One-of-a-kind custom reading bib
Kids (4 -11) 4 hours Book 8 hours Elitch Gardens singe-day admission ticket OR Lakeside Amusement Park unlimited rides pass (Reader must be present to receive finisher prize). 
Teens ( 12 - 18) 8 hours Book 16 hours Elitch Gardens singe-day admission ticket OR Lakeside Amusement Park unlimited rides pass (Reader must be present to receive finisher prize). 
Adults (19+) 8 hours Book bag 16 hours Entry for a chance to win one of 10 $100 Target gift cards

Build your brain
Reading during the summer is the best way to keep minds sharp and active. It’s perfect for getting little ones ready to read, preventing the summer slide and keeping adult brains going strong!

Explore more
Not only are there are so many reasons to read, but so many ways to earn those minutes! Get started by exploring the newest titles, opens a new window in our catalog, downloading an audiobook, opens a new window on the go, or browsing a digital magazin, opens a new windowe. Or check out a few of our favorite summer reads with these recommendations for Kids, opens a new window, Teens, opens a new window and Adults, opens a new window

Week 3 Mission Goal:
Find your reason to read