Summer Reading Program Sparks Collective Curiosity
Among the many incredible initiatives at Teton County Library, one particular tradition brings community members of all ages together for the love of books: the annual Summer Reading Program.
“The more you read, the more curious you become," says Beth Holmes, Youth Programs Coordinator. "This is a great program for our community to come together and build collective curiosity. Summer Reading is a time for readers of all ages to read, not because they have to, but because they want to.”
By intentionally designing the program to be inclusive—providing fully bilingual materials, valuing audiobooks, and measuring time spent reading together—Summer Reading becomes an accessible vehicle for community and family connection. It meets every reader exactly where they are, regardless of age or learning style.
For local families, this flexibility translates into unforgettable summer memories:
“Summer reading was a good bonding experience for my two children," one local parent shared. "We had them taking turns reading out loud to each other. Watching my older daughter teach my younger to sound something out was not only very sweet, but well-received by my youngest.”
Another resident summed it up beautifully and simply, saying, “Our whole family read together all summer!”
The magic of the program extends well beyond the pages of books. Through vibrant community events at both the Jackson Library and Alta Branch, librarians create spaces where families can pause, celebrate, and experience joy together.
“The library events, like the foam party and the free scoop from Cream + Sugar were a great way to celebrate reading midway through the summer," shared a parent. "My kiddo felt pretty special.”
From the 80 to 100 imaginative take-home crafts distributed weekly around this year's theme, Unearth a Story, to the 1,500 free books gifted directly into the hands of children via the Summer Reading Book Fair, Sprout Mobile, the Library on the Go van, the library actively removes barriers to literacy. It ensures that every child in our valley has access to books.
While the sheer volume of participants is impressive, the true story lies in how the program transforms local reading habits and sparks a deeper love for learning. Between June 1 and August 10 last year, 1,469 neighbors participated. The impact on their lives was measurable:
84% of participants discovered something completely new through their reading or experiences.
74.2% found themselves picking up a book more often.
69% reported that they simply enjoyed reading more than they did before.
75% felt a stronger connection to the library and wanted to use it more often.
In 2025, our community united to read for an astonishing 2 million minutes! This year, the library is challenging Teton County to dream bigger, aiming to reach a collective 2.2 million minutes in 2026.
A Legacy of Support
The Summer Reading Program has been a longstanding tradition in Teton County, connecting people of all ages through books, programs, and shared experiences.
The program is made possible thanks to the Carolyn and Chuck Miller Foundation and your generous contributions to Teton County Library Foundation and Friends.
Do you have a growing summer reading list? Join the movement, log your minutes, and let's reach 2.2 million minutes together!