2024 Challenge Runs June 1 through July 31

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Nashville Public Library is uniting readers across Nashville with books, prizes, and community collaboration after launching the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge on Saturday.

The theme of this year’s challenge, “Good for Readers. Good for Nashville.,” connects Library customers to essential summertime reading and learning and opportunities to serve their community.

When children stop reading during summer break, they lose much of the progress they made during school. Some never recover from this learning loss. Already, only about 34% of public school students leave third grade reading at the expected level, according to the Blueprint for Early Childhood Success.

Blueprint also reported that, of the 66% not reading at grade level, one in six will drop out of high school without a diploma; they will earn half the average income of their peers.

“We’re firm believers in the power of books to change lives and the power of collaboration to improve the city we all live in. By combining the two, our goal is to make this year’s Summer Reading Challenge a collaborative initiative that brings readers of all ages together to make a difference in their community,” Interim Library Director Terri Luke said.

As part of that drive, NPL is partnering with beloved Nashville-based organizations that serve the community, including PENCIL, Oasis Center, Autism Tennessee, Book 'em, Second Harvest, and Metro Animal Care and Control. Volunteer events include making shelter toys for adoptable animals; assembling backpacks with school supplies for Metro Nashville Public Schools students; book giveaways during special story times; creating hygiene kits for the teens of Oasis Center and library patrons and more.

How the Challenge Works

Participants receive free prizes for every 15 days they spend reading, while supplies last, and pick them up at any one of NPL’s 21 locations. Participants can also complete activities that net prizes for every 10 finished.

How to Register and Track Points

To register for the Challenge, visit the Library’s website to participate digitally or
use a paper reading log, which can be turned in at any NPL location.

Readers can log their time spent reading day-by-day, once a week, or whatever is most convenient for them.

What Counts Toward Reading Time

Reading traditional literature — including print books and e-books — as well audiobooks, graphic novels, manga and magazines counts for points.

But nontraditional forms of literacy qualify, too — like following a cooking recipe, reading comments while scrolling through social media, reviewing emails at work, or participating in a game of make believe with children to tell a story.

Participants can also earn points by attending the Library’s wide array of programs, including Story Time and the lauded Wishing Chair Productions puppet shows, as well as the special Summer Reading Challenge programs.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Summer Reading Challenge 2024 is made possible by Amazon and the Nashville Public Library Foundation.