Summer Learning Challenge
Color your summer at the library!
May 31 - August 9, 2025
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New this year: You can now track your Summer Learning Challenge progress online!
Want a step-by-step guide? Read the how-to blog post.
How the Summer Learning Challenge at Richland Library Works
Choose how you track your summer: by time or by activity. Complete either side to finish the challenge and brighten your summer with a prize!
Option 1: Track by Time
- Read, listen, or learn for 30 minutes.
- Mark off a circle for every 30 minutes you complete.
- Complete 30 circles to finish.
- Return your tracker to any library location for a prize.
Option 2: Track by Activity
- Complete a listed activity.
- Check off a circle for every activity you complete.
- Complete 10 circles to finish.
- Return your tracker to any library location for a prize.
Completion Prize Includes:
- A Medal (For children and teens)
- Physical prize of Your Choice:
- Pocket LED Flashlight, Multifunction Tape Measure, Squishy Dog, or Ten-Color Retractable Pen
- Free Admission to the Columbia Museum of Art (Good for entry of one adult and one child under 18 through December 31, 2025.)
- Free Ticket to a Select Columbia Fireflies Game (Good for one child or teen.)
- One Free Item for Friends and Foundation Book Sale (Up to a $2 value)
Read It Forward:
Children who complete the challenge a second time can choose to Read it Forward instead of receiving a prize, and we will donate a book to a local non-profit. Teens and adults can opt to Read it Forward at any time. Books purchased through Read it Forward support Summer Community Books Initiatives at affordable housing sites across Richland County. Books donated through this program support our Summer Community Books Initiative on COMET buses—over 3,000 books were shared in 2024!
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Making Summer Count
Summer Slide, or summer learning loss, refers to the unfortunate issue that on average students lose up to two months of learning over the summer. Summer learning loss often impacts low-income students the most, and the loss is cumulative, getting worse each and every summer.
However, there is good news! Reading for just 30 minutes a day can prevent the Summer Slide and help ensure that students return to school in August ready to learn.
We are committed to helping every student avoid the Summer Slide with a summer full of reading and learning. If you have questions or need personalized recommendations for your child, please call us at 803-799-9084.