JMRL will begin its annual Summer Reading Challenge tomorrow, June 1. Readers of all ages are encouraged to participate.

Simply pick up the first challenge sheet at any branch or download it from jmrl.org/summer to get started. Complete five library-related challenges to earn a prize each month, June through August. Turn in the sheets at any branch to claim a prize, and receive an entry into the grand prize drawing at the end of the summer for every five challenges you complete. With up to a total of 25 challenges on each of the three sheets, you can earn up to 15 grand prize entries.

Grand prize winners will be drawn after August 31. One child at each branch will receive a gift card to either Barnes & Noble or a local bookstore, one teen at each branch will receive an Amazon gift card, and one adult at each branch will receive an Amazon Kindle.

Join your local JMRL branch for a fun party to kick off the summer:

CENTRAL LIBRARY

Summer Reading Kickoff Hullabaloo
Saturday, June 9 at 10am-12pm
Celebrate the sweet start of summer at Central Library’s annual street party. Snack on donuts, enjoy juggling and face painting, and pick up a JMRL summer challenge sheet. Check out the Friends’ mini-book sale and visit with the riders of Books on Bikes, too.

CROZET LIBRARY

Summer Kickoff Celebration
Monday, June 11 at 5:30-6:30pm
Cruise on over to the library to gather your first round of summer reading, then step outside to enjoy some sweet summer treats and sun-filled fun. Pick up your first JMRL Summer Reading Challenge sheet, and let the summer begin. Rain cancels.

GORDON AVENUE LIBRARY

Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, June 13 at 6:30-8pm
I scream, you scream… let’s share some ice cream. It’s time for Gordon Avenue Library’s traditional kickoff for summer fun. Get started in the Summer Reading Challenge, eat ice cream, listen to music provided by the Jim Howe Jazz Trio, visit with one of our Paws to Read dogs and get decorated by Expressions! Face Painting.

GREENE COUNTY LIBRARY

Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Monday, June 4 at 6-8pm
Get ready for summer reading and join the Greene County Library for all kinds of fun including Bad Kitty, moon bounce, buttered popcorn, ice cream, face painting, tattoos, farm animal petting zoo, reptile and amphibian zoo, and more.

NELSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Reading Takes You Everywhere
Monday, June 4 at 4-6pm
Come and learn all about our Summer Reading Challenge. See how we have transformed the library into an adventure of world travel for the evening. Just pick up your passport and let the adventure begin.

NORTHSIDE LIBRARY

School’s Out Block Party
Tuesday, June 12 at 5:30-7pm
Enjoy live music by The Flashbacks, a free Kona Ice sno-cone, face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon animals and receive your first Summer Reading Challenge sheet.

SCOTTSVILLE LIBRARY

Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Thursday, June 7 at 5-7pm
Let reading take you places! First stop: Italy. Enjoy a slice of pizza, get your face painted and sign up to win books and prizes in our Summer Reading Challenge. Celebrate the start of summer and learn about all the great events the library has planned.