Summer Reading for Adults

Play your way! Grab your friends and grab a book because it's time for Summer Reading at The Indianapolis Public Library! The Library is the ultimate playground for creativity, imagination, and discovery whether you're a beginning reader or a bookworm. Join the adventure, learn something new, and become a lifelong reader!


1. Register

Register Learn how to get registered and see the full list of rules.

2. Track Reading Time

Download and print an Adult Reading Tracker (.pdf) or pick one up at any Library location. Track the time you spend reading, listening to audiobooks, reading aloud to someone, or having someone read to you. If you need help finding something to read, don't worry, just ask one of your librarians! Reading for 20 minutes a day helps build a strong lifelong reading habit!

3. Earn Prizes

When you reach the 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 hour markers, visit any Library to claim your prize! Prizes are subject to change and while supplies last.

Claim prizes until August 1, 2026.



Read your way to these prizes!

1 hour: Love Your Library Magnet; 5 hours: Never Sharpen Infinity Pencil; 10 hours: Pop Fidget Keychain; 15 hours: Domino Set; 20 hours: 16 oz Pint Glass; Complete Activity Challenge: Cooling Towel.

Play your way to another prize!

Play your way to another prize! Complete 7 or the 11 activity challenges to win and learn more about your Library along the way. Prizes available while supplies last, must visit a Library to claim. Download and print the Adult Activity Challenges (.pdf) or pick one up at any Library location.

  1. Play Along
    Attend any program at your local Library or join one of our virtual programs from home.
  2. Play Around
    Explore the Library website and find a new-to-you resource like Brainfuse or Digital Indy.
  3. Play it by Ear
    Check out an audiobook on Libby or in-person using your Library card
  4. Play to Win
    Challenge someone to a reading competition. Compete to see who can read the most books, read for the most minutes, or create your own rules!
  5. Play a Part
    Donate a new or used book at your local Library. Books will be donated to Listen to Our Future.
  6. Play it Safe
    Learn about available health and safety options at the Library, like lead testing kits, gun locks, and Narcan.
  7. Two Can Play
    Read to or with someone else.
  8. Play Favorites
    Meet a staff member at your favorite branch and say hello.
  9. Play the Long Game
    Use Library resources to start learning something new! Try Linked In Learning, ASLdeafined, Mango Languages, Craftsy, or many more!
  10. Play Well with Others
    Recommend something you borrowed from the Library to someone else. Then, tell them about Summer Reading and encourage them to sign up!
  11. Play in the Dirt
    Learn how the Seed Library works at your local Library.

...and more prizes!

Play with the Survey
Fill out the Adult Summer Reading feedback survey to be entered to win a gift card!

Tablet, framed artwork, and lego cat.

Grand Prize Drawing
If we reach 22 million minutes read as a community, all readers who logged reading time will be entered into drawings for grand prizes. Every branch will have a winner. Winners are chosen at random and contacted in August.

Summer Reading Workshops

Art Becomes Music
Multiple Dates & Locations
Schedule & Register for Art Becomes Music Workshops

A Day of Play
June 27 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Central Library
Book List: The Importance of Play in Adult Life
Book List: Toy Collecting

Dungeons & Dragons Master Academy for Adults
Multiple Dates & Locations
Schedule & Register for Dungeon Master Academy for Adults
Book List: Resources for Playing Dungeons & Dragons

Early Pacers Basketball & the ABA-NBA Merger
May 31 at 2 p.m.
Central Library
Register for Early Pacers Basketball

Kan-Kan Cinema and Bar: The Sandlot (PG)
August 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Kan-Kan Cinema and Bar: Waiting for Guffman (R)
August 16 at 7 p.m.

Learn to Play Magic: The Gathering
Multiple Dates & Locations
Schedule & Register for Learn to Play Magic: The Gathering
Book List: Card & Dice Games

Mahjong
Multiple Dates & Locations
Schedule & Register for Mahjong
Book List: Mahjong for Everyone

Oscar Charleston & Black Baseball in Indianapolis
July 12 at 2 p.m.
Central Library
Register for Oscar Charleston & Black Baseball
Book List: Black Baseball History
Book List: Fiction about Baseball

Puzzle Race Competition
Multiple Dates & Locations
Schedule & Register for Puzzle Race Competitions
Book List: Puzzling Puzzles

Think on Your Feet and Play! Improv Workshop with CSz Indy
Multiple Dates & Locations
Schedule & Register for Thin on Your Feet and Play!
Book List: All About Improv

Trivia at the Library
Multiple Dates & Locations
Schedule & Register for Trivia at the Library
Book List: Do You Love Trivia?
Book List: Weird Competitions
Book List: Who's That Pokémon?! & Other Questions

Research shows that everyone benefits from time spent reading!

It's a self-care skill that can improve your sleep, reduce stress, build empathy, and strengthen critical thinking. Try one of these ideas to spend more time reading:

  • Listen to an audiobook on your daily commute or while doing chores!
  • Spend 10 minutes of your lunch break at work reading an e-book on your phone!
  • Check out a cookbook and try new recipes in your weeknight dinners. The time you spend reading the recipes counts towards your Summer Reading goals!
  • Read to or with someone else. Minutes read with another person will count as minutes read for Summer Reading for both of you!