teen summer learning

Summer Learning Program

Teen slogan image for the Collaborative Summer Reading Program 2023. A boy in an aviator jacket stands next to three paint rollers.

Adventure Begins at Your Library!

Sun, sky, stories, adventure! This summer is about exploring the world near and far with the library. Try out the Summer Learning Program to win prizes as you read, watch, and play!

1. Create an account on READsquared (or just login if you already have one). From there, you can join the Teen Summer Learning Program. We recommend downloading the app to log on the go and show businesses when you’ve earned a prize.

2. From May 23-August 14th, log the number of minutes you read or listen to each day (backlogging is okay!). For each hour read, you’ll earn one prize from a local business and one raffle ticket toward the grand prizes.

3. Take your device to the business listed, and show them your notification email or prize badge in the READsquared app. Prizes can be picked up until August 31.

4. Hit bonus missions for an extra challenge and to earn more raffle tickets toward the grand prizes. You can earn up to 20 tickets total, and they can be spread between the raffles. Scroll down or speak with a librarian for ideas on fulfilling the challenges.

5. Attend this year’s events! Stay in the know by…

Visiting the online calendar or teen services pages
Following the library’s Instagram
Liking the library’s Facebook page
Or speaking with a librarian at either location!

Yes! Visit either library location to pick up a paper log with all the same prizes and bonus missions.

You’re considered a young adult and officially welcome to teen programming at GPL once you graduate 5th grade through the summer after 12th.

If you want to participate on paper, you can sign up yourself.

For READsquared, you must be 13 or older and have a non-school email address to sign up for an independent account. Otherwise, you’ll have to sign up with an adult.

All READsquared usernames must be unique email addresses. If your family uses Gmail, you can get around this using the + trick.

For troubleshooting with READsquared, please contact the library via email or call 402-332-4480.

You’ll never need a library card to participate in a program, earn prizes, or attend an event. You will need a card to check out items.

Learn more about signing up for a library card here.

1. Browse the virtual catalog to pick out a book.

2. Fill out the request form.

3. A confirmation will be sent to your email when your prizes are ready to be picked up. Because prizes are first come, first serve, you may be asked to make a different selection.

4. Pick up your book! Remember to bring your log if you’re using paper.

A limited selection of prize books is also available for walk-in browsing at the Main Library.

Scroll below to see the grand prizes.

To submit raffle tickets with READsquared: check out the “Raffle” tab in the app to swap points for tickets.

To submit raffle tickets with a paper log: visit either library building when you’ve decided you’re well and done with your summer reading and the challenges. Then let a librarian at the circulation desk know you’re ready to submit raffle tickets.

Raffle tickets can be submitted through August 31st. The grand prize winners will be drawn on September 2nd. Winners must pick up their prizes by September 14th or the raffle will be redrawn.

We hope to have answers! Call or beep us:

Grand Prize Raffle

Summer Learning participants earn raffle tickets toward grand prizes – one for every hour, plus one for each challenge completed (max 20). Tickets earned can be split across the three grand prizes below.

To submit raffle tickets with READsquared: check out the “Raffle” tab in the app to swap points for tickets.

Raffle tickets can be submitted through August 31st. The grand prize winners will be drawn on September 2nd. Winners must pick up their prizes by September 14th or the raffle will be redrawn.