Erie County Public Library: Summer Library Program: Home

Summer Library Program includes:

• Programs that promote art in its many forms and the colorful tapestry of our communities. View the Programs & Events box below for recommended programs or visit events.erielibrary.org for our entire menu.
• Reading Challenges: Compete in 4 different reading challenges to explore the library's collection, engage in artistic activities, and expand your world. Complete each challenge as many times as you like-- every completed challenge is a new entry to win a prize. Find downloadable challenge sheets at the bottom of this page, or pickup at your local library.
• Outreach Visits: Find the Library throughout Erie County when we host community Summer Bookmobile Visits! These outdoor events bring the fun of the library to your area schools. Hop on the Bookmobile to select new library materials, sign up for a library card, and craft along with library staff. These events are free and open to the public-- though held at an area school, you do not need to be a student there to attend! Find our upcoming stops here. 
• HistERIE now takes place in the Summer Library Program as our premiere adult offering! Visit the HistERIE page for details of this week-long program happening June 13-21.
• Through Your Lens photo competition invites patrons to submit a photograph of their local community. Contestants will be pooled and the winning photographs will be displayed at the nearest ECPL branch location's community room. Need a camera, editing equipment, or training? Visit the Idea Lab!
• Color Our Walls Art Installation community art project invites all patrons to pick up a small canvas at their local library, create their masterpiece, and display it at our libraries. Each location will have a designated area to add your tiles and create a beautiful patron-driven art installation for our whole community to enjoy. Check events.erielibrary.org for drop-in hours when supplies will be available for you to complete your art work, or use your own supplies at home. 

Save the date for these upcoming Color Our World library programs and visit events.erielibrary.org for our full lineup!

Registration Prizes: All patrons will receive a free tote bag with goodies thanks to our sponsor UPMC Health Plan, while supplies last. 

Kids Challenge Books: Children will receive a free book to keep when they complete their first challenge (choice of challenge type).

Experience Prizes: Every week we will draw an Experience Prize winner! These are passes to local attractions that help patrons explore our region and Color Our World!

Item Prizes: A fabulous slate of item prizes will drawn at the end of the Summer Library Program (see image below). Submit your challenge sheets to enter to win these prizes through close of business on August 23.

Check out these resources to help you complete reading challenges. Find printable versions of reading challenges at the bottom of this page, or visit any library location to receive your copy. 

World Explorer Challenge
Explore the globe with your library card! Visit each of the 7 continents when you borrow any library item that helps you learn about it. Try out items like world languages films, international music, ethnic cookbooks, political biographies, non-fiction resources on plants and animals, and plenty more! Feeling stuck, try out some of these recommended resources below or ask a librarian!

• Asia
• Africa
• South America
• North America
• Europe
• Antarctica
• Oceania

How do I register?

Patrons may register at any ECPL Location beginning June 7. When you register, you will get (while supplies last):

• Registration bag with freebies from our sponsors
• Your choice of challenge sheet 

Is it just for Kids?

No! Summer Library Program is for all ages-- we especially encourage adults with children to sign up and model good learning habits for their littles. Adults have a slew of programs to captivate all summer long, and they can choose any/all reading challenges to win our all-ages prize drawings. 

When do I turn in my challenge sheets?

All completed activity challenge sheets are due by close of business on August 23, 2025. Participants are encouraged to turn in a challenge sheet as soon as it is completed.

Do I have to do all the challenges? 

Nope. All registered patrons are expected to complete at least 1 challenge. Beyond that is completely up to you!

How many challenges can I do? 

Any amount! Participants can complete any single challenge, multiple challenges, or multiples of the same challenge. Every completed challenge becomes one (1) entry into our fabulous prize drawings!