Reading is Radical This Summer at the Charleston County Public Library

Reading This Summer at the Charleston County Public Library! (Charleston County Public Library)

By Jared Hocevar

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Lowcountry Weekend) - This summer, the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) and the Charleston County School District (CCSD) are winding back the clock to a time of VHS tapes, parachute pants, and boom boxes to remind you that Reading Is Radical. Summer Reading 2023, presented by the Charleston Friends of the Library and South Carolina Stingrays, gives Charleston County residents a chance to win great prizes just by reading during the summer months.

Registration for Summer Reading is NOW OPEN. The programs for children, teens and adults run from May 15 through July 31 and feature a tubular lineup of free events and programs, as well as bodacious prizes (while supplies last) provided by generous community sponsors.

How to Participate

Registration is NOW OPEN and you can begin logging your reading on May 15. Prize pickup begins June 1. Prizes are available while supplies last.

Want to join in the fun and win some prizes? It’s easier than ever thanks to the launch of our new online platform, Beanstack, where participants can track and log their reading. Simply visit ccpl.org/summeronline, or your nearest CCPL branch to sign up for the program. You can then download the Beanstack app and log your reading right on your mobile device. Don’t have access to the internet or a device? Just request a paper reading log at your local branch.

What’s in It for You?

Children, teens, and adults can win prizes for reading whatever they like! Prizes are awarded after reaching certain levels of reading (e.g. 5, 15, and 30 hours) and include Summer Reading t-shirts as well as vouchers for local restaurants, attractions, and sporting events. Just 5 hours of reading gets you free tickets to Library Night games at the Charleston RiverDogs (Aug. 6) and South Carolina Stingrays (Date TBA). 30 hours of reading earns you free tickets to watch the Charleston Battery play on Aug. 26 or visit Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum on Sept. 16! Please note that prizes are available while supplies last.

This year’s program also includes some far-out FREE programs at many CCPL branches. Highlights include:

  • Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus Performance
  • Retro Book Fair • Summer Sips and Sing-alongs
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar Workshop
  • Silent Disco
  • Japanese Drumming with Taiko Charleston
  • The Final Girl Escape Room
  • Criss Cross Mangosauce
  • Jungle Jim’s Wild About Reading Balloon Magic Show
  • West African Drumming and Dance with Wona Womalan

Event dates, times and locations vary and are subject to change. For a full list of events and event details, visit ccpl.org/calendar.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.