GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Public Library is kicking off summer with an all-ages Summer Reading Challenge.
Running from May 28 through Sept. 7, the free challenge was created to engage readers from every walk of life.
Katie Zychowski, GRPL's marketing and communications manager, said last year was the first time they designed the challenge for all ages, with more than 7,500 participants.
She said the age range spanned from parents and caregivers signing up to participate with their babies to children to elderly people reaching 100 years old.
"Last year was the first time really offering this multi-generational experience, but we saw so much excitement and record engagement," Zychowski said. "It allowed us to go really deep and wide with this program and it was so fun to watch how adults engaged in this program in a way that we didn't even anticipate."
She said it's exciting for the library to see people who didn't grow up participating in summer reading challenges at their library get the chance to do so now and have so much fun with it.
Once participants sign up, they have to visit any of the library's eight locations to pick up the summer-themed reading log and activity book.
This year, the booklets are inspired by national passports and field guides and can be completed independently or as a group. The challenges were created for all ages, ranging from easier tasks to more difficult ones.
Zychowksi said some examples of challenges are reading a book a family member is reading, creating a piece of art that's inspired by a book you love, or dressing up as your favorite book character.
As participants complete challenges in their booklet, they can come into the library to earn prizes tailored to each age group.
Zychowski said they have everything from Summer Reading Challenge stickers to koozies and coolers to coupons from local organizations and even free books.
She said her favorite part about the challenge is how it engages everyone in the community.
"Honestly, there's something so special about seeing a city come together to participate in an initiative like this," Zychowski said. "Seeing patrons walk through our doors with the level of excitement that they have, that staff can share in that excitement and celebration, it's quite monumental. It becomes rather emotional to see your community sort of come together in this way."
Participants can sign up in person or online beginning on May 28. A library card isn't required.
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