The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is going to be RAWR-some! Unearth a Story by digging into a good book, discover the treasure in lifelong learning with free programs, and uncover the stories of 20+ community partners!
Adult Summer Reading Challenge
Adult Summer Reading begins Monday, June 1st. Adults can register at the Main Desk to get their Summer Reading packet, which includes an Adult Summer Reading Bingo sheet and some extra goodies. As a bonus, patrons who register for the Summer Reading Challenge will receive a rechargeable reading light. For each Bingo, patrons will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of the following prize packages: Gift Card Bouquet Package, Literacy Prize Package, or Hobby Prize Package. If a patron completes their entire Bingo sheet (blackout), they can select one free book from the prize cart.
Youth Summer Reading Challenge
Summer Reading registration is now open. Youth patrons can sign up for the Summer Reading Program in person with the paper registration form, or through Beanstack. Prizes are awarded just for registering! The Summer Reading Program officially begins June 1st.
Don’t have a Beanstack account yet? No problem! Simply sign up on the Beanstack website (hayslibrary.beanstack.org) by filling out some basic information or come to any service desk. You can then enroll your child in Summer Reading Challenge as well as any of the other available challenges such as 1000 Books Before Kindergarten or 500 Books Before Middle School.
Download the free Beanstack app to track your progress using your Android or Apple mobile device.
I’m signed up for Summer Reading…now what?
Now it’s time to earn prizes for logging your reading minutes/books AND earn tickets for grand prizes. HPL uses Beanstack for youth patrons to track their reading time and track attendance for any programs attended throughout the summer.
Reading:
Logging any reading time earns tickets towards the grand prizes in your age group. As you continue reading throughout the summer, the number of tickets increases, too. But that’s not all! Special prizes are earned after reading and logging so many hours of reading time. Prizes are awarded at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 130, 150, 180, and 200 hours!
Did you know that visiting the Bookmobile counts as 10 minutes of reading?!
If logging reading time on Beanstack isn’t your thing, that’s ok! We have paper reading logs with stickers available at the youth services desks, or you can print off your own logs. Bring the completed reading log to HPL and we will update your Beanstack account for you.
Programs/Activities:
Let’s celebrate all of the programs you attend this summer! Youth patrons can earn activity badges (and extra tickets for grand prizes) for the majority of the programs planned for the summer. Please note, activity badges can only be redeemed on the day of the program, so don’t forget to log it in Beanstack!
If logging attendance for the programs isn’t your thing, that’s ok! We will have sign-in sheets at our programs and HPL Staff will update the Beanstack account for you.
Reviews:
Youth participants can also earn tickets toward grand prizes by giving reviews on books they’ve read. The more reviews they write, the more tickets they will earn!
Click here for a printable version of the full instructions!
Grand Prizes
The Kick-Off Party will be held Monday, June 1st, starting at 10am. Attend at least one event to earn extra tickets towards a grand prize.
10am: Davidious the Dinosaur
Join the Mad Scientist on a fossil hunt and find bones that belong to Davidious the Dinosaur, T-Rex. Witness an underwater volcano, mini explosions and the roars of years past!
2pm: Sternberg Museum
Hands-on with dinosaurs?! Yes, please! The Sternberg Museum brings the past to the present day. Dino-mite goodie bags for the first 150 youth attendees.
July 31st – 10am: Kim Noller
Kim Noller is a published composer and author, children’s music artist, and music educator whose joyful melodies and hope-driven lyrics have been inspiring audiences for decades. She created the song “Unearthing a Story” celebrating the joys of discovery through reading, exploration, and personal reflection – the perfect ending to our Summer Reading Challenge.
Early Literacy Programs
Preschool Basics: Mondays at 10:30am. This class focuses on developing fine/gross motor skills, social/emotional skills and phonics. For ages 3-5. Registration is required. Click Here to Register.
Readiness & Review – PreK-K: Mondays at 1:00pm. This program will work on strengthening reading skills. For children entering kindergarten. Registration is required. Click Here to Register.
Early Active Reading: Mondays at 10:00am. Exercise your brain and body in this active reading program. We will review letter sounds and combine early literacy skills with kinesthetic movement, art, and music. For ages 3-6.
Sleepy Storytime: Tuesdays at 10:00am Ease into your day with this sleepy Storytime. Come in your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffie or blankie if you wish. For ages infant to 5.
Itty Bitty Book Buddies: Wednesdays at 10:00am. Build early literacy skills from birth! Rhymes, fingerplays, music, and more await you and your child! Afterward, stay for playtime and visit with other parents and caregivers.
Interactive Storytime: Thursdays at 10:00am. No need for books during this Storytime! Littles will help retell popular stories through an interactive display. For ages 3-5.
Storytime at Rainbow Stage: Fridays at 10:00am. This Storytime will be at the Rainbow Stage near ARC Park. Bring the family and enjoy some outdoor time together with stories, music, dance and more. In case of rain, this event will relocate to the Storytime Room at HPL.
STREAM with Sternberg: Tuesdays at 10:30am in the Schmidt Gallery. Hands-on with dinosaurs and more! This program is geared towards children aged 3 and up but everyone is welcome!
STREAM: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am in the Schmidt Gallery. This program is a safe place for your child to explore new scientific ideas that align with this year’s summer reading theme (this year’s theme is Unearth a Story). We include games to build your child’s motor skills, crafts to grow their imagination, and science experiments to encourage their curiosity. This program is geared towards children aged 3 and up but everyone is welcome!
Childrens Programs
Movie Monday: Mondays at 2:00pm. Relax on Monday afternoon with a movie and snacks!
STREAM with Sternberg: Tuesdays at 10:30am in the Schmidt Gallery. Hands-on with dinosaurs and more! This program is geared towards children aged 3 and up but everyone is welcome!
Activity Tuesday: Tuesdays at 2:00pm. Join us for activities and crafts aligned with this year’s Summer Reading weekly theme.
STREAM: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am in the Schmidt Gallery. This program is a safe place for your child to explore new scientific ideas that align with this year’s summer reading theme (this year’s theme is Unearth a Story). We include games to build your child’s motor skills, crafts to grow their imagination, and science experiments to encourage their curiosity. This program is geared towards children aged 3 and up but everyone is welcome!
Readiness & Review, K-2: Wednesdays at 1:00pm. This session is for children entering kindergarten, first, or second grade in August. This group will help the children maintain and build their skills during the summer months. This session will be limited to 14 students. Registration is required. Click here to register.
TAB Time: Wednesdays at 2:00pm. Join our Teen Advisory Board for some fun! They are hosting an activity session with board games, crafts, and more for the younger youth.
Readiness & Review, 3-5: Thursdays at 1:00pm. This session is for children entering third, fourth, or fifth grade in August. This group will help the children maintain and build their skills during the summer months. This session will be limited to 14 students. Registration is required.
Chess: Thursdays at 2:00pm. Want to learn to play chess? Need to sharpen your skills? Chess Club is for you! Instructor Randy Brull will teach you everything you need to know about the game. Chess Club meets every Thursday. Please plan to attend each week. Apply the skills you learn at the Chess Tournament on July 26th!
Video Games: Fridays at 2:00pm. Challenge your friends in your favorite video games or try a new one!
Young Adult Programs
Video Game Monday: Mondays at 2:00pm. Challenge your friends in your favorite video games or try a new one!
Activity Tuesdays: Tuesdays at 2:00pm. Join us for activities and crafts (even food!) aligned with this year’s Summer Reading weekly theme.
TAB Time: Wednesdays at 2:00pm. Join our Teen Advisory Board for some fun! They are hosting an activity session with board games, crafts, and more for the younger youth.
Dungeons & Dragons: Thursdays at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Join the quest, roll the dice, and shape your destiny in an epic adventure!
Chess: Thursdays at 2:00pm. Want to learn to play chess? Need to sharpen your skills? Chess Club is for you! Instructor Randy Brull will teach you everything you need to know about the game. Chess Club meets every Thursday. Please plan to attend each week. Apply the skills you learn at the Chess Tournament on July 26th!
Board Games: Fridays at 2:00pm. Spend a relaxing hour defeating your enemies in board game tournaments. Become the undefeated Monopoly champion or show our staff how to play your favorite games.
JUNE
June 1st at 10:00am: Davidious the Dinosaur
June 1st at 2:00pm: Sternberg Museum
June 2nd at 10:30am: STREAM with Hays Arts Council in the Gallery
June 4th at 9:00am: Fishing at Big Creek
June 12th at 9:30am: Jammin’ Randy at the ARC Park Storytime
June 17th at 10:30am: STREAM with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in the Gallery
June 24th at 10:30am: STREAM with Ellis Historical Society in the Gallery
June 25th at 10:30am: STREAM with National Resources Conservation Service in the Gallery
JULY
July 1st at 10:30am: STREAM with Fort Hays Historic Site in the Gallery
July 2nd at 10:30am: STREAM with Hays Police Department in the Gallery
July 9th at 10:30am: STREAM with MUSH, Sophia the Sled Dog in the Gallery
July 10th from 1-5pm: Reading at the Humane Society
July 15th at 10:30am: STREAM with Cottonwood District in the Gallery
July 16th at 10:30am: Snake Day with Sternberg Museum in the Gallery
July 21st at 10:00am: T-Rex Tea Party in the Storytime Room
July 23rd at 10:30am: Canvas Painting with The Niche in the Gallery
July 23rd at 5:30pm: Jurassic Spelling Bee
July 24th at 10:00am: Dinosaur Swim at the ARC Park Storytime
July 31st at 10:00am: Kim Noller Performance
To see all of the amazing events happening at the library this summer, be sure to visit our online calendar