Welcome to the Reading Party

We’re celebrating the Library’s 150th anniversary all year – and you’re invited to the Reading Party, the 2024 Kansas City Public Library’s Summer Reading Program .

Come as you are and dress up your to-be-read pile of books with your favorite author, genre, subject, or format.

Join us in celebrating the power of reading to build bonds, create connections, inspire, enrich, and empower.

JUNE 1 - AUGUST 15

Feeling festive? Try a colorful and compelling graphic novel.

Like surprises? Make your plus one a mystery or thriller.

Can’t go to a party without bringing something to share? Browse a cookbook for a tasty treat.

Sign up yourself or the entire family.

Earn a FREE BOOK just for signing up! (Books will be available at Library locations starting June 1.)

Read (or listen to) five books between June 1 and Aug. 15, 2024. Choose titles from suggested reading picks for youth, teens, or adults, or read five books in any format – hardcover, audiobook, eBook, or graphic novel. Everything counts!

Log your five reads (or listens) online using Beanstack or the Beanstack Tracker mobile app.

Earn a reward:

  • Snack cup (babies and toddlers)
  • Stuffed owl (kids and teens)
  • Pint glass (adults)

Activities

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Pop In at the Park

Visit with Library staff at the Pop In at the Park series! We’ll be helping readers of all ages sign up for Summer Reading, offering resources for families, and more.

Upcoming Activities  More Information

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Book Bingo

Looking for more ways to make the most of your Summer Reading? Explore a variety of lists in our catalog that highlight books bringing us together.

2024 Book Bingo  Build Your Own

Suggested Reading

Looking for Ideas?

Shelf Help

Our librarian story squad can offer some reading suggestions just for you. Try our Shelf Help service and get a customized list of recommendations tailored to your tastes.

Find More Great Reads

Use your catalog account to create and share reading lists; follow friends (or Library staff) for their bookish updates; keep track of books you want to read; rate and review titles, and more.

ReadersServices_KCMO  YouthServices_KCMO

Share and Discuss Online

Snap photos of the books you’re reading or post social media updates. Be sure to tag the Library in all your posts and use the hashtag #kcSummerReads. Keep up with us by checking out our latest news.

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Summer Reading Tips

Using an online book logging tool called Beanstack, both adult readers and parents of young readers can record and manage completed books. You can also download the Beanstack Tracker mobile app to read and log on the go!

  1. Go to kclibrary.beanstack.org
    • First-time users: select Register as an Individual or Family.
    • Existing users: Under “Already registered on this site?” click Sign In, and log in with your username and password
  2. On the next screen, select I am registering myself (This option is used to register individuals, children, and multiple readers).
  3. New users will select a username and password. Complete all required fields on the registration form. Registration for Adult or Youth programs is organized by selecting your Year of Birth in the "In What Year Were You Born?" drop-down menu field.
  4. From there you can begin logging your books.
  5. Once you have met the reading goals, you earn a reward! Library staff will check your record to confirm you have completed the reading or activity criteria.

Download the Beanstack Tracker app to manage your reading log from anywhere!

  • Reserve books (and other Library materials) by logging into the catalog using your free online account at kclibrary.org/catalog.
  • Don't have a Library card? Go to kclibrary.org/card to sign up and get immediate access to books, eBooks, digital audiobooks, streaming movies and music, digital resources, and more. You can also check your current library card status.
  • If a favorite book is currently on the shelf at another Kansas City Public Library location, it can be delivered to your neighborhood branch. Contact us for assistance, or use the online catalog to place a hold and choose the Library location where you’d like to pick it up.
  • Find select eBook and digital audiobook editions. Visit kclibrary.org/digital for more details.
  • Audiobooks and Playaway titles count as reading!
  • The Library offers two online reading recommendation tools.
    • NoveList offers genre-specific reading lists as well as read-alike suggestions based on your favorite author.
    • Booklist Online reviews and recommends fiction and nonfiction alike.
  • Try out the Library’s Shelf Help service and get some customized book suggestions tailored to your tastes by our experts! Get started at kclibrary.org/shelf-help.

The Summer Reading Program is an initiative of the Kansas City Public Library aimed at encouraging leisure reading. The program advances a yearly theme as a means of inspiring children, teens, and adults to discover new or different ideas, experiences, or viewpoints through reading and other activities supported and suggested by the Library.

Made possible by these generous supporters

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