Plano, TX, is heating up this summer, but not just outside. The Plano Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is back from May 31 to July 31, and it’s bursting with stories, prizes, and events that will make you forget about the thermostat. Whether you’re a Plano resident or just visiting, here’s your guide to a summer full of page-turning fun.
Why Join the Summer Reading Program?
Because reading is more fun when you get stuff for it. The Plano Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is open to everyone, from babies to adults. The rules are simple, and the rewards are real.
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Ages 0-16: Read for 1,000 minutes. That’s about 17 minutes a day. You can do that while waiting for your snow cone to melt.
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Ages 16 and up: Read five books. No one’s judging your beach reads or sci-fi sagas.
Track your progress with READsquared—the online tool that makes logging your reading almost as satisfying as finishing a book. You’ll earn digital badges as you hit milestones, and you can even watch a quick video to learn how to use them. Prefer paper? Old-school logs are available too.
Move your Beach Ball in Spark Spaces at the library as you reach your goals. When you hit your milestone, your beach ball lands in the “Completed” zone, and you get a prize. Yes, a real prize.
What’s in It for You? (Besides Bragging Rights)
Summer Reading Completion Prizes are available while supplies last, so don’t wait until the last page.
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Enamel Pin: Show off your reading achievement with flair.
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Molding Sand: Because everyone deserves a little beach, even if it’s just on your desk.
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Hotel Keychain: The perfect accessory for your backpack or keys, and a reminder that you “checked in” at the library this summer.
All you need is a Library Card. It’s free and opens the door to books, eBooks, magazines, and more. If you don’t have one, now’s the time to get it.
Special Summer Events: Not Your Average Library Lineup
This summer, the Plano Public Library is more than a quiet place. It’s a stage, a science lab, and a circus tent—all rolled into one.
Meet Live Raptors
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Haggard Library, Tuesday, June 10, 3 pm
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Get up close with hawks, owls, and falcons from Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. Learn what makes these birds the real VIPs of North Texas skies. Tickets are free but limited—grab yours 30 minutes before showtime.
Bernie the Bubble Lady
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Schimelpfenig Library, Monday, July 7, 3 pm
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Bubbles aren’t just for bathtime. Bernie will show you how bubbles get bigger, stronger, and even scientific. Tickets available in person 30 minutes before the show.
Community Science Meet-Up
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Haggard Library, Saturday, July 19, 3-5 pm
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Harrington Library, Thursday, July 31, 3-5 pm
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The Perot Museum TECH Truck rolls in with hands-on activities that make science feel like play. Build, tinker, and discover with STEAM projects for all ages.
Two Person Circus With the Ramazinis
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Parr Library, Friday, July 25, 3 pm
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Who says you need a big top? Two clowns, juggling, unicycles, and hand-balancing acts will have you laughing and gasping in equal measure. Tickets are available 30 minutes before the show.
Dragonfly Robotic Helicopter for Exploring Titan
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Haggard Library, Saturday, August 9, 3 pm
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Space fans, this one’s for you. NASA’s Les Murray will take you on a journey to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, with stories about the Dragonfly robotic helicopter. See how science fiction is becoming science fact. Tickets are available in person 30 minutes before the event.
How to Join the Fun
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Sign up for the Summer Reading Program at any Plano library or online at the READsquared website.
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Pick up your reading log or set up your online account.
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Start reading and logging your minutes or books.
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Move your Beach Ball in Spark Spaces as you reach milestones.
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Collect your prize when you finish.
Don’t forget to check out the library’s collection—from graphic novels to audiobooks, there’s something for every taste and every age.
Tips for a Winning Summer
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Set a reading goal with your family or friends. Make it a friendly competition.
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Try new genres. If you always read mysteries, grab a fantasy. If you love comics, try a biography.
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Visit different library locations. Each branch has its own Spark Space and unique events.
Plano’s Summer Reading Program is more than just books. It’s a season of discovery, laughter, and prizes. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, there’s a story waiting for you at the Plano Public Library.
Sources: planolibrary.readsquared.com, plano.gov
Header Image Source: Masjid Pogung Dalangan on Unsplash
