Summer Reading: Brainstorms, Books and Collaboration   

Here’s a roundup of ideas, resources, and links library staff shared while gearing up for Summer Reading 2026 from our Summer Drop in session in February. 

Group solutions

This session, two libraries brought programming brainstorm topics for the group- ideas for hosting a week of children’s programs focused on Egypt and how to engage adults in a state institution. Solutions included: 

-Digging for plastic coins or gems in sand

-A scavenger hunt trying to match an author to the personal objects they might be buried with based on their book 

-Programs to encourage personal story expression: music or poetry writing, memoir reading and writing, and moth story hours. 

-Whole community tracking with thermostats or jars and/ or competition between ages or groups 

Collaboration

Many libraries work with networks of other libraries in their area to coordinate hosting performers. Performers will often agree to a total cost for a trip and a certain number of performances, making the individual cost for each library much more affordable. If you are not talking with the libraries around you and want an introduction reach out and we will make sure you get connected, [email protected] 

Don’t forget to add your favorite performers to the Performers, Speakers, & Subject Matter Experts form and peruse the list of performers other Colorado library staff have enjoyed. 

An organization that was shared as one a library has booked for this summer is Fossil Posse. 

Fiction Books

Many libraries purchase books for incentives, highlight books in a storytime, book club or via displays based on the CSLP theme. This year the CSLP manual has book suggestions at the beginning of each chapter aas well as a complete book list in English and Spanish in the resources section. Remember all The Colorado State library pays for all Colorado Public Libraries to be CSLP members, so you have access to the manual, reach out if you need help accessing it! A few other titles were suggested this session as well: 

Dam and David Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett 

The Hidden Gem by Linda Liu

A Snake Falls to the Earth by Darcie Little Badger 

The Egypt Game by Dilpha Synder