Indianapolis Public Library Sets New Summer Reading Record With More Than 27 Million Minutes Read
Indianapolis, Indiana - The Indianapolis Public Library is celebrating a record-breaking 2026 Summer Reading Program, with more than 27 million minutes read by kids, teens and adults.
This year 28,992 kids, teens and adults took part in the 107th Summer Reading Program, which ended on August 1. Readers devoted 27,606,252 minutes to reading while earning prizes generously donated by community sponsors, far surpassing the Library’s goal of 22 million minutes read.
"It has been an amazing summer with our Play Your Way theme, where we reached our Community Reading Goal together, celebrated our first ever Day of Play in June, and welcomed more than 7,300 people into our libraries for themed programs," said Alexander Hampton, digital inclusion program specialist at The Indianapolis Public Library. "We have heard so much wonderful feedback this year about not only spending quality time with family and friends through Summer Reading, but also the opportunity to meet new people in the community and connect with neighbors."
A total of 22,574 kids participated in the 2026 Summer Reading Program. For the sixth consecutive year, kids kept track of the amount of time spent reading instead of the number of books read. This allowed participants of all reading levels to have an equal opportunity to earn prizes such as free passes to local attractions such as The Children's Museum of Indianapolis Haunted House, Royal Pin Bowling, The Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis Indians Baseball, The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, IU Indy Basketball, Indianapolis Indians Baseball, a coupon for a free Penn Station Kids Meal, books, toys and more. Prizes were earned at milestones of reading for 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours and 20 hours.
In addition, more than 6,844 kids attended free summer programs such as our Zoo Explorers with the Indianapolis Zoo, Robotics Club with Kids Explore Robotics and Field Day at the Library with Amazing Athletes.
A total of 6,418 adults took part in Adult Summer Reading, where they tracked time spent reading, completed activity challenges, and earned prizes. In addition, 502 adults attended free summer reading programs, including Magic: The Gathering, Mahjong, and Trivia at the Library.
All participants were entered into drawings for grand prizes. Grand prizes for kids included a Nintendo Switch 2, Beats headphones, Tonies, LEGO sets and more. Adult grand prizes included Kobo eReaders and LEGO sets.
“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to make the Library’s Summer Reading Programs for youth and adults possible,” said Roberta Knickerbocker Jaggers, president of The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to play a role in inspiring a lifelong love of reading at every age.”
Throughout the Summer Reading Program, kids and families dropped off new and gently used books in donation bins at Library locations. This allowed participants to give back to the community by donating more than 695 books to Listen to Our Future, an organization dedicated to equipping youth to make long-lasting changes in their communities through education, empowerment and social action.
Brenda, a community member who visits the East 38th Street Branch, shared how the Summer Reading Program has been a helpful tradition in her family.
“The Summer Reading Program was a wonderful aid in teaching [my children] how to read and keeping them excited,” said Brenda. “I’ve been going to the 38th Street Branch Library since I was in high school. As I became a mother, I took my children; now, I take my grandchildren.”
The Summer Reading Program is presented by Friends of the Library through generous gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Major sponsors included Forvis Mazars, Indiana529, The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund, Indianapolis Indians Charities, Inc., Lilly Endowment Inc., Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Dr. Betty Routledge, Mary Frances Rubly & Jerry Hummer and Alice and Robert Schloss. Supporting sponsors included Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Inc., Citizens Energy Group, Cummins Inc, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., Office of the Lawrence Township Trustee Steve Talley, gifts in memory of Marlyne Sexton, and Drew and Brenda Soshnick.
About The Indianapolis Public Library
For more than 150 years, The Indianapolis Public Library has continuously adapted and expanded to serve the evolving needs of our city and its residents. The Indianapolis Public Library strives to be indispensable to our growing number of visitors and stands as a vital public resource to our community. The Indianapolis Public Library has more than 280,000 cardholders and a total annual circulation of 8,737,602 at our 25 branch locations and Bookmobile. More information at indypl.org.
Media Contact: Keshia McEntire, Public Relations Manager, kmcentire@indypl.org