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2026 Youth Summer Reading (Ages 0 -12)

Unearth A Story Green and Orange
CSLP_2026_Little_Dino_Open_Book.jpg

Unearth a Story at Your Library!​

The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield is excited to launch its 2026 Children’s Summer Reading Program with the theme of “Unearth a Story." The Youth Service's Department will have weekly events in June and July. Youth activities and programs are geared towards children ages 0 - 12. See the information below for more details.

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Reading Logs:​

  • Reading bags (containing reading logs and other materials) will be available beginning June 1st, 2026 in the Youth Services Department on a first-come, first-served basis for children ages 3-12.

  • While reading bags are limited, reading logs will be available throughout the summer.

  • Readers will use the reading logs at home to track their progress towards their reading goal.

  • Participants can earn incentives and prizes for reading.

  • For every ten days of reading time logged, children ages 3-12 earn the following:

    • A chance to add sticker(s) to our prehistoric mosaic on display in the Youth Services Department.

    • A ticket entry into the Grand Prize drawing.

  • Completion of the entire reading log earns a ticket into the grand prize drawing.

  • Additional reading logs are available if you fill up your first one and want to continue.

  • The deadline to turn in all reading logs is 5 PM on July 31st, 2026.​

  • Turn in all reading logs by July 31st, 2026 to receive your Summer Reading Certificate.

  • Logs returned after July 31st, 2026 are ineligible for Grand Prize drawing.

  • Grand Prize winners will be announced and contacted in August.

Prizes:

Prizes for Grand Prize winners are as follows:

  • First Place: Glow in the Dark Dinosaur Throw Blanket, NatGeo Light up Terrarium Kit, Tyrannosaurus Rex 3-in-1 LEGO Set, NatGeo Gigantic Gemstone Dig Kit, and NatGeo Pull Back Dinosaur Race Cars Craft Kit 

  • Second Place: Glow in the Dark Dinosaur Throw Blanket, NatGeo Light up Terrarium Kit, Jurassic World Triceratops Skull LEGO Set, NatGeo Mega Fossil and Gemstone Dig Kit

  • Third Place: Glow in the Dark Dinosaur Throw Blanket, NatGeo Light up Terrarium Kit, Fierce Dinosaur 3-in-1 LEGO Set, NatGeo Dino Fossil Dig Kit​

Calendars:

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Please note the following about our calendar events:

  • Some events require registration (marked with a red "R" on our print calendar and noted on our online calendar). 

  • To register for events, please call the Youth Services Department at 984-985-2665 (extension 3) or email Ashley Wood, Youth Services Librarian, at awood@pljcs.org. If we are unable to answer please leave a message so that we can return your call.

  • If an event registration is full, we will update our calendar on our website at www.pljcs.org.

  • Events may be subject to cancellation or change. While we cannot adjust that on print calendars that have been distributed, but we will communicate that on our website and social media (Facebook, Instagram).​ 

  • All storytimes begin at 10:00 a.m. and are geared to ages 0-5.

  • Unless otherwise noted, all other children's events begin at 10:00 a.m. and are open to all with no pre-registration.

  • Children's programs requiring pre-registration must be registered for AT LEAST one week prior to the event.

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Call the Youth Services Department at 984-985-2665 (ext. 3) if you have questions about any children’s events.

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Our Summer Reading Guide can be found on our Summer Reading main webpage. See all library events on our website calendar located on our homepage.​​​

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