Hays Public Library
Hays Public Library invites readers of all ages to dig into discovery during the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. Running from June 1 to July 31, this year’s theme, Unearth A Story, encourages participants to explore hidden worlds, uncover new ideas, and connect with stories that spark curiosity and imagination. The program will feature engaging events, interactive activities, and reading challenges designed to inspire a love of learning all summer long.
The library will use the online program Beanstack to track summer reading for children and teens. Through Beanstack, families register participants and use the program to log their reading progress. Staff will assist with sign-up and logging for those without computer access. Challenges have been created for each age group; early literacy, elementary, and young adult.
Summer reading offers young people a powerful way to keep their minds active during school breaks. Regular reading helps prevent the “summer slide,” maintaining and even improving literacy skills like comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking.
Registration for youth is required and is currently available online or in person. Each child who registers receives a gift. Throughout the Reading Challenge, participants attend activities and log reading time to earn tickets for the grand prize drawing. A prize will be given to each child who completes their challenge by the end of the event on July 30th, and their name will go in a drawing for the grand prize of their choice.
This year with the Hays Arts Center under construction, the library is pleased to partner with the Arts Council to provide space for hands-on workshops for youth. The workshops will be offered on Mondays and Fridays and will be tailored for specific ages. Registration through the library’s event calendar is required for each workshop. Event and registration information is available at hayslibrary.org/HAC.
To assist with this endeavor, the library is grateful to have been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Midwest Energy Community Fund, which will provide resources for the Arts Council workshops.
Adults participate in the Summer Challenge by playing Reading BINGO. Register by picking up a Summer Reading packet at the library beginning June 1st. The packet includes a BINGO sheet and this year’s registration gift, a rechargeable reading light. For each Bingo, patrons will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of the following prize packages: Gift Card Bouquet Package, Literacy Prize Package, or Hobby Prize Package. If a patron completes their entire Bingo sheet (blackout), they can select one free book from the prize cart.
The Summer Reading Challenge will kick off on June 1st with two events. Have fun with a mad scientist fossil hunt with Davidious the Dinosaur at 10 a.m., followed by a hands-on dinosaur program from Sternberg Museum at 2 p.m.
All of the exciting adventures will wrap up on July 31st at 10 a.m. with published composer and author, children’s music artist, and music educator Kim Noller. She created the song “Unearthing a Story” celebrating the joys of discovery through reading, exploration, and personal reflection – the perfect ending to our Summer Reading Challenge.
For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge and to sign up on Beanstack, go to https://hayslibrary.org/summer/ or call 785-625-9014.
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