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North Las Vegas libraries report strong early participation in summer learning challenge; $10,000 grant funds programming
Summary
Library staff reported early participation metrics showing significant year-over-year growth and outlined a slate of STEM, arts and adult programs funded in part by a $10,000 Nevada State Library/IMLS grant.
The North Las Vegas Library District told trustees on May 27 that its 2025 Summer Learning Challenge, which opened May 19, has produced strong early participation and is supported by a $10,000 grant from the Nevada State Library and IMLS.
"The summer learning challenge started last Monday, May 19, and it is going through Saturday, July," said Shelley, a library staff member leading the program presentation.
Staff said the challenge is open to all ages and aims to combat “summer slide,” encourage regular reading and increase library usage. Programming includes a four-class STEM lab for ages 6–11, partnerships with Engineering for Kids for hands-on mechanical engineering lessons, artist-led craft programs with Nevada teaching artists, PBS-linked STEM activities for younger children, and adult workshops such as a sound-bath relaxation session and fluid-art and faux-stained-glass classes.
Staff described a set of “grab-and-go” kits distributed biweekly by age category (0–5, 6–11, teens and adults). Each kit includes materials and a QR code linking to a library database for additional learning: younger kits link to World Book for Kids, teen kits to Creativebug, and adult kits to Mango Languages and Rosetta Stone.
Early participation numbers shared with trustees show 629 people signed up in the first week, earning 877 badges, logging more than 45,000 minutes of reading and completing 75 activities. Staff said those figures represent a 42% increase over the same point in 2024; the library typically sets a 20% participation growth goal for the program.
Staff also reported that Alexander branch sign-ups doubled in the first week, from about 101 in 2024 to 208 in 2025. Librarians said the IXL tutoring database is available under a limited-license arrangement (about 100 licenses) and that usage will be monitored and licenses added if demand remains high.
The trustees did not take action on the summer-learning items; staff said they will circulate a digital copy of the presentation to trustees.
