Discover the connection between stories, food, culture and community with the San Diego Public Library’s (SDPL) Summer Reading Program. From now until Aug. 15, readers of all ages can participate in the program and connect with nature, learn the joys of gardening, earn prizes and more, for free!  

This year’s theme, “Plant a Seed, Read,” encourages participants to begin with a seed of curiosity and see what they can discover, both within the library and their local community. In addition to reading books, Summer Reading Program activities include visiting a community garden, attending a farmer’s market, planting seeds and more. Prizes include free books, passes to several Balboa Park museums, free food at participating Wingstop locations and a chance to win a pair of tickets to a San Diego Padres game in September. Prizes available while supplies last.  

“Just like a garden feeds the body, books and ideas feed the mind,” said Library Director Misty Jones. “Our Summer Reading Program highlights the importance of caring for our minds and bodies, and encourages participants to enrich their lives by connecting to each other, their environments and their communities.”  

The Summer Reading Program is made up of three categories: ages 0-5, 6-11 and teens and adults. Registration begins today, and all participants ages 0-17 who register by June 30 will receive a free general admission ticket to the 2026 San Diego County Fair, valid Friday-Sunday beginning June 12. Participants can log their books and activities online on Beanstack or with a paper reading log.  

Last year, the number of Summer Reading Program participants topped 35,000, who collectively read over 5 million books and logged 6.7 million minutes of reading.  

To register online, view a list of activities and recommended books and find a Summer Reading Program kickoff event near you, visit sandiego.gov/SummerReading.