Redondo Beach library outlines 2025 'Level Up' summer reading program; kickoff set for June 14

Lisa Juarez, youth services librarian at the Redondo Beach Public Library, told the Public Amenities Commission on May 14 that the library will run a 10-week “Level Up at Your Library” summer reading program from June 14 through Aug. 23 aimed at children, teens and adults.

Juarez said the program aims to foster a habit of reading and help prevent summer learning loss. “Every year, we offer a summer reading program for children, teens, and adults to help foster a love of reading, encourage routine reading time, and associate reading with fun,” Juarez said. She added that last year’s program had 2,047 participants across all ages.

The library will stage a kickoff carnival at the main library on Saturday, June 14, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., where attendees can register, pick up a reading log and receive a tote bag. Juarez said teen volunteers will staff activity tables and that several city departments, including the Redondo Beach Police Department and Redondo Beach Fire Department, will appear with activities and demonstrations.

Program structure and incentives differ by age group: the children’s program covers infancy through fifth grade and uses 20-minute reading increments; children who log 25 hours receive a free book and an invite to the finale party. Teens (grades 6–12) use a bookshelf-style log tracking 30-minute increments and earn prizes for every 10 hours read as well as a free book at completion. The adult program (18 and older) will use book reviews and weekly drawings for gift cards.

Juarez described prizes and sponsors: donated coupons and gift items from local businesses such as Fresh Brothers, Raising Kings and McDonald’s will be paired with reading prizes. The program will also offer special events — including Pride and Juneteenth story times, guest storytellers from city departments, a North Branch Bubble Party, a game day for children on Aug. 16 and finale parties hosted by Science Heroes on Aug. 23 (11 a.m. at North Branch; 2 p.m. at the main library).

The library’s registration goals cited by Juarez were 1,600 children and 200 teens; participant goals for adults were not specified in the presentation. Juarez thanked the Friends of the Library for financial support of the summer program.

Commissioners asked about school partnerships and whether teachers offer incentives for turning in reading logs; Juarez said teachers sometimes organize classroom incentives and that the library conducts school outreach and encourages participants to keep logs to share with teachers.

The commission did not take a formal action on the item; the presentation was received and questions were answered by Juarez.