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
Kid’s Summer Reading –June 1 — July 31
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
Date TBD
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 1st
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 Public Library’s Website:
Custer Summer Reading Program
Kicks off on June 1st!
How to Participate:
Dive into a summer full of creativity, curiosity, and connection through reading and hands-on fun. Custer’s 2026 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 1st!
How to Participate:
Summer Reading Begins June 1st! Get ready to Unearth a Story all summer long! Join us at the Library for a summer filled with fun activities, cool prizes, and exciting stories.
Learn more on the Belle Fourche Public Library Website:
Belle Fourche Summer Reading Program
Date TBD
How to Participate:
More information coming soon!
Learn more on the Deadwood Public Library’s Facebook Page:
Deadwood Summer Reading Program
Deadwood 150th Reading Challenge
All month, every month, through the end of the year!
How to Participate:
Celebrate Deadwood’s 150th by helping the library read 150,000 minutes!
Open to all ages! Pick up your reading log today!
Don’t forget to turn in your log sheet before the month is out! Prizes will be awarded each month to those in each age bracket who have spent the most time reading. Age brackets are 2nd grade and under, 3rd to 5th grade, 6th to 12th grade, and adult. At the end of the year, grand prizes will be awarded to the top readers of the year.
Let’s get reading!
Learn more on Lead Library’s Website:
Lead Summer Reading Program
How to Participate:
Register for the Summer Reading Program here.
Pick up your registration bag at the Lead Library after June 1st.
Programs will take place under the event tent in the Visitor’s Center Parking Lot.
Please contact the library with any questions!
Preschool Story Time
Wednesdays @ 11:15 am