Salt Lake City Public Library launches summer reading challenge with prizes and activities through Aug. 2

Salt Lake City Public Library is running its annual Summer Reading Challenge through Aug. 2, offering two participation trackers — one for pre-readers and one for all ages — and free sign-up at library locations across the city, Quinn McQueen, the library’s director of marketing and communications, said in an interview with SLC TV.

"It runs from now until August 2," McQueen said, describing the program’s timeline. Participants who read for about 20 minutes a day or complete suggested activities can earn sign-up prizes, midway rewards and completion prizes, with additional grand-prize raffles at the program’s end.

McQueen said the pre-reader tracker is designed for caretakers of babies and toddlers and focuses on activities that support early literacy, such as playing and singing. "This is for caretakers who are getting, you know, their babies, toddlers, maybe even younger kids who haven't started reading yet," she said.

The all-ages tracker is open to older children and adults. Organizers encourage daily reading habits and other activities that connect participants with the city. "We are trying to get Salt Lakers to connect with one another, connect with their city, and get out and explore during the summer too," McQueen said, citing a themed map that participants can "color in" as they visit murals, play outdoors or try suggested activities.

McQueen also emphasized that multiple formats count toward participation: "I wanna remind everybody that audiobooks count as reading," she said, adding that she was participating in the challenge herself. She referenced studies she said support the value of listening for people who already have foundational reading skills; she did not identify the studies during the interview.

Sign-up materials and trackers are available at all Salt Lake City Public Library locations at no cost, McQueen said. The program includes bonus raffle prizes donated or coordinated with partners; McQueen mentioned signed hockey sticks from the Utah Mammoths (formerly the Utah Hockey Club) and signed Utah Jazz photos and basketballs as examples.

While Aug. 2 is the official end date, McQueen said participants who visit the library "the next week" after the deadline may still be able to receive some prizes, and she urged Salt Lake City residents to register early. "Just come on in and participate," she said.

The library did not provide specific details on the studies McQueen referenced about audiobooks or a precise breakdown of the number or value of grand-prize items.