St. Louis County & Public Library Announce Joint Summer Reading Program and Unveil New St. Louis CITY SC Library Cards

St. Louis County Library (SLCL) and St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) are teaming up to offer a joint summer reading and exploration program called STL Summer Adventure. This brand new program invites youth ages 0-17 to go on an adventure with a variety of activities in STEM, Art, Outdoors, St. Louis and Reading. The program will run from June 1-August 10, 2024. Additional information is available at www.stlsummeradventure.org.

A press conference about the STL Summer Adventure program will be held on May 8 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olive Street Foyer at Central Library, 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page and St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones will attend the event, along with Library Directors Kristen Sorth (SLCL) and Waller McGuire (SLPL).

To celebrate the launch of STL Summer Adventure, the library systems unveiled new library cards sponsored by St. Louis CITY SC. Teens who complete the STL Summer Adventure program will be entered into a raffle to win tickets to watch St Louis CITY2 take on North Texas on Sunday, August 25 at 6:00 p.m. at CITYPARK.

Kristen Sorth, St. Louis County Library Director & CEO said, “We are so excited about this joint summer reading program between St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library. STL Summer Adventure gives kids the opportunity to choose their own adventure and explore different and fun pathways to learning. Our amazing partners bring additional opportunities to the program, allowing kids and families to experience all of the unique cultural and educational offerings in our region. The regional collaboration between our two fantastic library districts continues to positively impact the region. Literacy is a community growth engine.” 

Waller McGuire, St. Louis Public Library CEO said, “The St. Louis Public Library Summer Reading Club has been a major program for generations of St. Louis children and their families, helping connect kids to the fun and adventure of reading, and always keeping in mind the key role that summer learning plays in the development of young minds. Partnering with St. Louis County Library strengthens the entire region, and helps remove barriers and increases possibilities for all St. Louis children. Two great public libraries working together side-by-side benefits all of us.”

“Just as the power of sports brings people together, so does reading,” said Carolyn Kindle, St. Louis CITY SC’s CEO. “As the school year comes to a close and summer break begins, we are thrilled to help St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library connect with kids and teens through reading and exploration, and we can't wait to see everyone using their new CITY SC library cards.”

“Our libraries continue to create exciting opportunities to engage with the community, and coming together for this new summer program for our kids is just the latest example,” said St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page. “Literacy is the pathway to success, and this program will appeal to children of all ages. On a side note, I look forward to getting a new CITY SC library card!”

Registration for STL Summer Adventure begins on June 1. A kick-off event will be held from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in Forest Park in conjunction with Play Day in the Park. Everyone who signs up will receive a free book at registration. The program offers 5 paths of learning: STEM, Art, Outdoors, St. Louis, and Reading. Each path contains a variety of activities such as reading a book, putting together a puzzle or making a sidewalk chalk creation or visiting a local attraction like the Science Center or The Magic House. Participants who complete 3 activities in any category will earn a badge. After earning three badges, participants will receive a prize and raffle entry. Participants can track their progress online through Beanstack or by using a reading log available at any SLCL or SLPL branch. Reading logs can also be picked up at partner organizations. 

Both library systems will offer programming throughout the summer, featuring music, comedy, puppet performances, magic, science experiments and more. Visit slcl.org/events or slpl.org for details. 

This is the first time SLCL and SLPL have offered a combined summer reading program. Offering a regional summer program is a convenient and easy way for families throughout St. Louis to keep kids learning and engaged throughout the summer months, setting the stage for a successful return to school in the fall. Offering one regional summer program also allows the library systems to collaborate with St. Louis’ amazing cultural and learning institutions, including the Gateway Arch, The Magic House, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, and St. Louis Science Center. 

St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library have collaborated on many projects in recent years to increase access to library programs and services. Examples include: creating a shared catalog in 2022, eliminating overdue fines in 2020, launching an online high school diploma program in 2017, and introducing Wi-fi Hotspots for patron check out to help address the region’s digital divide.

To learn more about SLCL visit www.slcl.org. To learn more about SLPL visit.slpl.org. 

Media contacts:

Jennifer McBride, St. Louis County Library Assistant Director, Communications: 314-994-3300 ext. 2250 or jmcbride@slcl.org.

Jen Hatton, St. Louis Public Library Manager of Public Relations and Digital Marketing:  314-539-0305 or jhatton@slpl.org.