2026
Summer Reading Programs advance literacy and academic performance by engaging children and teens in reading during summer months. They also work to foster a love of reading through public library programs and services and increase successful reading experiences through librarian-supported, self-selected, voluntary reading.
Registration will be available June 29th -July 2nd 2026.
Keeping Track of Reading:
Grab a Reading Log at the Gorham Public Library. Please fill out every time you read. It is okay to put the same book down for multiple lines. Bring your Reading Log into the library to be able to receive your claw machine chances.
What Counts for Reading?
- Elementary Section Books
- Chapter Books
- Junior Section Books
- Manga Graphic Novels
- Magazines
- Wonderbooks
- Books in different Languages
- Audiobooks
- E-books
- Young Adult Books
- Adult Section Books
- Holiday Books
- Coos County Garden Club Books
- Manuals
- Newspapers
- Poetry
- Travel Brochures
- Encyclopedias
- Sports Programs
- Catalogs
- Recipes
- Dictionaries
- Play Scripts
- Atlases
- Road Signs
Do you or your children like to something we didn’t list here? That counts too!
Prizes:
Claw Machine
Keep track of your reading with the reading tracker for a chance at the Claw Machine! For every hour read gives you two chances at the claw machine!
- Patrons ages 0 – 5 after reading one hour can use the claw machine until they win a prize.
- Patrons ages 6+ after reading one hour can use the claw machine for two turns (machine will count down time) to try and win a prize.
- If they do not win they will have to read another hour for two more turns.
- Patrons are able to redeem up to two hours a day.
Teen Summer Reading Challenge
Get ready to start your 2026 Summer Reading Challenge! Read your favorites, try something far out, and maybe discover a totally new book.
Read 3 book prompts to win a prize! One Book per prompt.
There are a lot of prompts to choose from. Pick up the list from the Circulation desk.
Teen Ultimate Prize
Read any book to be entered into our prize drawing! Anyone can enter to win. You just have to read. Prize drawing will be August 5th, 2026 on our Dino day event. Challenge books also count towards our Beat the Backlist year long Reading Challenge.
Adult Summer Reading Challenge
Complete the Adult Book Bingo Card for an entry for the grand prize drawing. One entry per person for a completed book bingo sheet. To win, you must read books that complete a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line (a “Bingo”) or fill the entire board (a “Blackout”). Each book can only satisfy a single square.
You do not have to have a library card to participate in this challenge. You do need a library card to check out any material. Challenge books also count towards our Beat the Backlist year long Reading Challenge.
Prize drawing will be August 5th, 2026 on our Dino day event.
Description of Events
Calendar Page
Events may change dates or times. Please check back here for updates.
Everyone at the Gorham Public Library would like to thank you and your families for your participation. We appreciate everyone for helping achieve this Summer Reading Program’s theme: Unearth a Story.