The St. Johns County Public Library System’s “Stars, Stripes and Stories” 2026 Summer Reading Program offered more than 200 engaging events and activities for all ages between May 31 and July 25. The annual program designed to promote educational and family-friendly summer fun brought more than 17,500 visitors over eight weeks to the library system’s six branches and bookmobile stops.
“With the United States’ 250th anniversary, this year’s program was particularly special, celebrating the many stories that make our nation,” said Lisa Calvert, assistant branch manager and youth services librarian. “Storytelling bridges generations across our communities, bringing us all together to foster a lifelong love of reading.”
Families enjoyed Americana-inspired festivities, created and led by library staff members, ranging from baseball-themed story times to parading in handmade tricorn hats to tea parties with American Girl dolls. They explored the nation’s past by digging into archaeology-themed STEM crafts, writing with colonial ink and quills, traveling the Oregon Trail with hands-on activities and more.
Participants picked up free reading logs from library branches and bookmobiles to earn prizes for every five days tracked. More than 8,000 prizes were awarded this summer.
“The Summer Reading Program has encouraged generations of St. Johns County kids to beat the ‘Summer Slide,’” said Debra Rhodes Gibson, director of the public library system. “This is a real partnership between our libraries and local community to promote literacy in a fun and engaging way during the summer break.”
Initiatives like the Summer Reading Program directly support the St. Johns County Strategic Plan priority of community well-being.
Summer Reading Programs are sponsored by the library system’s multiple Friends of the Library groups. To learn more about the program or discover all of the services and resources St. Johns County Public Library System offers, contact your local branch library or go to sjcpls.org.
