Summer Reading in the Black Hills
Prevent the summer slide and keep your kids motivated to read all summer long by participating in a Summer Reading Program! With tons of fun activities, events, and prizes to be won, participating in a summer reading program is a great way to encourage young kiddos to gain and improve reading skills throughout the summer. Check out the following resources to learn more about reading programs that are being hosted by libraries throughout the Black Hills this summer.
Learn more on the RCPL Website:
Rapid City Kids Summer Reading Program
Starts on June 1
How to Participate:
Get ready for 8 weeks of reading fun! Read (or be read to) for 15 minutes a day and track your progress each week. Log your weekly minutes to earn that week’s prize drawing ticket!
Forgot to log your minutes? Don’t worry, you can catch up on logging your reading minutes at any time and still earn your rewards! Just remember to read every day!
Learn more on the RCPL website!
Learn more on the Sturgis Public Library Blog:
Sturgis Summer Reading Program
Kicks off May 21st
How to Participate:
Youth ages 0-11 (Timekeepers) reading challenge is to read 750 minutes total over the course of the 8 week challenge. Readers will get to choose from a prize box when they finish reading 250 minutes, 500 minutes, and a final prize box when all 750 minutes are read. They will also receive one raffle ticket for completing the program for a chance to win a raffle item!
Teen and Adult (Bookkeepers) reading challenge is to read 5 books over the course of 8 weeks. Readers will earn a raffle ticket to enter to win a raffle prize for every 2 books read. When 5 books are read, readers will earn their 3rd and final raffle ticket.
Grab an events calendar from the library to join the fun!
Learn more on the SDSL Website:
SD Accessible Youth Summer Reading Program
June – July
How to Participate:
Open to all registered library patrons ages birth to 19, Participants are asked to read at least 20 minutes every day for eight weeks during June and July.
A reading chart is sent to each participant. To be eligible for the grand prize, just mark the chart for each day you read at least 20 minutes and return the completed chart to SD ALS at the beginning of August.
Senior High students can also participate in the Adult Summer Reading Challenges.
Learn more at: https://library.sd.gov/ALS/readingprogram.aspx
Learn more on the Custer County Library Website:
Custer Summer Reading Program
Kicks off on June 14th!
How to Participate:
Dive into a summer full of creativity, curiosity, and connection through reading and hands-on fun. Custer’s 2025 Summer Reading Program has something for everyone—colorful events, great books, and chances to win prizes as you track your reading. Check out more info on their website!
Learn more on the Hot Springs Public Library Facebook Page:
Hot Springs Summer Reading Program
Kicks off on June 9th!
How to Participate:
Summer Reading Sign-Ups Begin May 1st! Get ready to Color Our World with books, creativity, and fun all summer long! Join us at the Library for a summer filled with fun activities, cool prizes, and exciting stories. Summer Reading officially kicks off on June 9th, but you can sign up starting May 1st! Don’t miss out—let’s make this the most colorful summer yet!
Learn more on the Belle Fourche Public Library Website:
Belle Fourche Summer Reading Program
June 2 – July 26
How to Participate:
The Summer Reading Program begins June 2 so be sure to stop in or sign up online!
Learn more on the Deadwood Public Library’s Facebook Page:
Deadwood Summer Reading Program
Registration begins May 15th
How to Participate:
Summer Reading Registration begins May 15! Stop by the library to register.
Learn more on Lead Library’s Website:
Lead Summer Reading Program
Starts June 25th
How to Participate:
Starts June 25th! Register now for our summer reading programs. We have reading programs for kids from birth through 18 years old and in person programs for grades PreK-8. Be sure to stop by the library to pick up your registration goodie bag.