Summer Reading Program

Come spend your summer with us at the Library! “Color Our World: Colorea Nuestro Mundo” runs from June 1 to July 31. The Summer Reading Program features Reading Challenges, Special Events, Art Contest for ages 5-17, Writing Contest for adults and so much more. There’s something for everyone, so be sure to explore our online calendar or download the printable calendar and sign up for the Reading Challenge!

Reading Challenges

By registering online for Summer Reading, you’re committing to read for 30 days between June 1 and July 31. Feel free to read whatever you like, and if you need suggestions, check out our latest books in the Catalog.

Prefer not to register online? No worries! Just print or pick up a reading log to track your reading from June 1 to July 31, and make sure to return the log to the library at the end of the program.

With four program levels to choose from, everyone is invited to participate. Each reader can select the level that best fits their needs!

Early Literacy: ages 5 and under
Children: ages 6-12
Teen: ages 13-17
Adult: ages 18 and up

Special Events

Mini Golf

Join the Bryan + College Public Library System for an adventure and a “Hole” lot of family fun at a miniature golf course day. Golfers of all levels can putt throughout the library and between the stacks. Enter the raffle to win vouchers from Topgolf Bryan.

This event is free, but registration is required. Register here starting June 1.

Where: Clara B. Mounce Public Library
When: Sunday, July 13, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Chemistry Roadshow

presenter demonstrating a chemistry expriment with a controlled flame

Dr. Jim Pennington with Texas A&M University will entertain and educate with science experiments, *all ages welcome, loud noise/smoke will be part of the show. Limited seating is available, and free tickets can be picked up 30 minutes before each show.

Location 1:

Where: Clara B. Mounce Public Library
When: Tuesday, July 15, 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. *Both shows are the same

Location 2:

Where: Larry J. Ringer Library
When: Thursday, July 17, 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. *Both shows are the same

Art Contest

The Summer Annual Art Contest this year truly embraces the theme Color Our World : Colorea Nuestro Mundo!

Prompt: Draw or paint something that brought color to your world/ inspired you. This could be a memory, a scene from a movie or book, a place, or a time with family and/or friends.
- You can use paint, watercolors, pencil, crayons, markers, colored pencils, or pastels to make your creation.

The Summer Art Contest for 2025 will have patrons voting on which artwork will be the winner for each age category. The voting will be done per library location with one winner per the following age groups:

Ages 5-6
Ages 7-8
Ages 9-10
Ages 11-13
Ages 14-17

Contest Rules

Artwork must be done on an 11” x 8.5” piece of paper, and must not be in a frame. Anything bigger or in a frame will not be accepted.
Artwork will be accepted from July 1-15; artwork brought in after July 15th will not be accepted. It must also be created no earlier than June 1, 2025 and accompanied by a digital or print Copyright/Photo Release form.
On the back of each creation the following information must be provided:
- name of artist
- age of artist
- an email or phone number of legal guardian, where staff can contact if the artwork is selected as a winner
All artwork must be picked up from the library where it was submitted by August 29 or we will be forced to discard it.

Judging

Artwork will be arranged by age category at both Mounce and Ringer.
Patrons will be able to view the artwork and vote on two creations from each age category.
Voting will take place from July 21-July 28.
Age Category winners will be contacted by August 1.

Prizes

Ages 5-6
Set of 3 Watercolor Art Books and Jumbo Coloring Pages
Ages 7-8
Crayola art kit and Paint/Recolor Dinosaur Kit
Ages 9-10
Purple Turtle Certificate and Crayola Puffy Paint Craft Kit
Ages 11-13
$25 U-Paint It Gift Card and IlluStory Book Making Kit
Ages 14-17
Water Color Set and Certificate for Watercolor Retreat

Grand Prize Art Contest Winner

The Grand Prize Winner will be voted upon by library staff. All age category winners from both locations will be eligible.
The Grand Prize Winner will be contacted by August 11.
This winner will have their artwork featured on our 2026 Brazos Valley Children’s Literary Festival: Open a Book, Open a World t-shirt. The winner will be awarded a t-shirt and recognized at the Festival. Save the date April 11, 2026!

Writing Contest

The Summer Annual Writing Contest is for ages 18+ from June 1 – July 31. Participants must live in Brazos County to be eligible to participate.

Writing Prompt

You woke up one morning to find that everything in your world has turned black and white. Write a story about how you bring back color using your artistic talents and creativity. OR He/She/They/Proper Name woke up one morning to find that everything in their world has turned black and white. Write a story about how they bring back color using their artistic talents and creativity.

Guidelines