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Summer Reading Challenge 2026

Banner for Unearth a Story Summer Reading theme.

Patrons of all ages can par­tic­i­pate in the Unearth a Sto­ry 2026 Sum­mer Read­ing Chal­lenge. Reg­is­ter now at dekalbli​brary​.beanstack​.org. The chal­lenge runs from June 1 — July 312026.

Start­ing June 1, you can earn vir­tu­al badges (and a chance at prizes!):

dinosaurs made out of books
  • Young Chil­dren (0 – 5): Read books and par­tic­i­pate in activ­i­ties to earn vir­tu­al badges in Beanstack.
     
  • School-Age Chil­dren (612): Log time spent read­ing and par­tic­i­pate in activ­i­ties to earn vir­tu­al badges in Beanstack.
     
  • Teens (13 – 18) and Adults (19 and up): Record time spent read­ing and par­tic­i­pate in activ­i­ties to com­plete a vir­tu­al BIN­GO card in Beanstack.

WIN PRIZES! Free books, book bags, gift cards, Kin­dle Fires, jour­nals, prize packs with books & puz­zles, noise can­cel­ing head­phones, Kodak Instant Print cam­eras, and more! All read­ing and activ­i­ties must be logged by July 31, 2026.
 

Sum­mer Read­ing Kick­off Parties

Join us at our Sum­mer Read­ing Kick­off Par­ties where The Sci­ence Guys of Atlanta will lead us on a jour­ney from the deep­est reach­es of out­er space to the cen­ter of our plan­et. Learn about the con­di­tions that made life pos­si­ble on Earth with an inter­ac­tive and ener­getic pro­gram that explores the atmos­phere, changes over time, and even vol­canic eruptions! 

Upcom­ing Events

July 2nd, 12:00 AM
Chamblee LibraryFun ActivitiesSchool Age
Come in any time on Thursdays to create your best LEGO designs.
July 2nd, 12:00 AM
Flat Shoals LibrarySpecial EventsFun ActivitiesContestsAdults
Do you know American history? If so, stop by and take our America 250 Challenge. Funding provided by the Friends of the Flat Shoals Library.
July 2nd, 10:00 AM
Covington LibrarySpecial EventsSeniorsAdults
Help maintain the blood supply. Give now. To schedule an appointment to donate, please visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code DCPL.
July 2nd, 10:30 AM
Scott Candler LibrarySpecial EventsFun ActivitiesPreschoolers
Create a fruit salad with a sweet dressing and explore the 5 senses.  

The Unearth a Sto­ry 2026 Sum­mer Read­ing Chal­lenge is spon­sored by the DeKalb Library Foun­da­tion, Brave and Kind Book­shop, the San­dra Duna­gan Deal Cen­ter for Ear­ly Lan­guage and Lit­er­a­cy, the Geor­gia Pub­lic Library Ser­vice, King of Pops, Kids Next Code, Kids Video Con­nec­tion, Lit­tle Shop of Sto­ries, and Cre­at­ing Con­nect­ed Communities.

logos for summer reading sponsors