Keep learning fun with Summer Break - Read, Learn, Explore

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library encourages reading and learning all year long. The summer months, when students take a break from school, are critical to expanded learning. In fact, summer time poses the most academic risk because students without access to summer learning opportunities can fall behind their peers, creating an achievement gap that is hard to close.

To keep kids on track with important matters such as literacy and physical activity, the Library offers Summer Break, its annual summer learning program that encourages children to read, learn and explore.

This year, the program runs June 1 – August 10 and pre-registration begins Monday, May 20 here.

The Library offers early registration to give students a head-start at signing up before school is out. Participants can create a free online account to track reading time, learning and leisure activities from June 1 to August 10. Summer Break encourages participants of all ages – children, teens and adults – to read 20 minutes per day and engage in additional learning activities such as writing, creating, playing, exploring and giving. As participants track their activities online, they collect virtual badges and incentives.

Summer Break participants complete the program after reading 20 hours OR by reading at least 10 hours and completing 10 learning activities. Participants who complete the program, have a valid library card number listed on their account and log activities or reading time online for 10 out of 10 weeks, will also be eligible to receive one Carowinds ticket. These tickets will be valid at Carowinds through the end of the 2019 season. Tickets can be claimed starting on Saturday, August 10 and are available while supplies last.

Looking to make the most of summer? Visit the official Summer Break website, summerbreak.cmlibrary.org, to discover reading lists and plenty of enriching ideas and activities. The Library also offers thousands of free programs during the summer to engage the community in a wide variety of fun and educational experiences; special kickoff events are listed below. Come to any of these kickoff events, sign up for Summer Break and get a $5 voucher toward library fines and a coupon for a free Jr. Frosty from Wendy's.

Parents of young children (and parents too!) won’t want to miss the interactive summer exhibit hosted through September at ImaginOn: TheJoe & Joan Martin Center - The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD! The exhibit opens May 25 - September 8, 2019 at ImaginOn. 

The 2019 Summer Break program is brought to you by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in partnership with Carowinds. Additional support comes from Wendy’s and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.

Summer Break Kickoff Events Kickoff

Cick here for all Summer Break Kickoff events