Prize Time for Explore Summer Reading

You are the hero of the summer of 2020! The time you spent reading books, exploring and being creative with Explore Summer Reading, opens a new window impacted not only you but our local schools and animal shelter too. Now you can receive your prizes, opens a new window and provide us feedback for 2021, opens a new window too!

Summer was extended through the end of August for Explore Summer Reading, and in that time, 18,452 of you registered, read and participated in more than half a million activities. The overall finisher rate was also impressive, with 34 percent of participants completing 30 activities over the summer. Your Summer Reading efforts also contributed $300 to the Foothills Animal Shelter, opens a new window and their important mission of caring for and finding homes for cats, dogs and other pets.

As a thank you for exploring with us this summer, we have a fun lineup of prizes available for you! All ages and participation levels get a little something for imagining their stories. Check out what you’ve scored, opens a new window, and visit our open locations, opens a new window to pick up your rewards. We realize not everyone is comfortable entering the Library at this time, so we have extended prize pickup through the end of the year or while supplies last.

Kids have also been busy winning money for their schools during the Explore Summer Reading School Contest, opens a new window. You should all pat yourselves on the back for combatting the Summer Slide in such imaginative ways! The following five schools have won $800 for having the highest percentage of finishers in their respective categories:

  • Preschool: Kyffin Preschool in Golden
  • Elementary School: Devinny Elementary School in Lakewood
  • Middle School/Junior High School: Oberon Middle School in Arvada
  • High School: Wheat Ridge High School
  • Charter and Multi-Level School: Excel Academy in Arvada

We hope Explore Summer Reading introduced you to new events and helped you find success and joy this summer. You should be proud of accomplishing your reading and learning goals on your own terms this summer.

Help us shape what next year’s Explore Summer Reading looks like! Give us your feedback through the Explore Summer Reading Survey, opens a new window on what you liked this year and how we could make it even better next year! The survey is open until September 30 and takes about four minutes to complete. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!

We also want to give a huge “Thank You” to the Explore Summer Reading sponsors!

  • Jefferson County Library Foundation
  • Denver Botanic Gardens
  • Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
  • ENT Credit Union
  • Kettering Family Foundation
  • Lakeside Amusement Park
  • Noodles & Company

Continue sharing fun reading activities together as a family with Raise a Reader, opens a new window.  Happening all throughout September, activities include Outdoor Story Times, opens a new window, Take & Make Activity Kits,, opens a new window a StoryWalk®, opens a new window in Olde Town Arvada and more!