DeKalb County Public Library Launches the “Unearth a Story” Summer Reading Challenge

Start­ing June 1, the Sum­mer Read­ing Chal­lenge fea­tures hun­dreds of pro­grams and events for all ages

DECATUR, Ga. – (May 27, 2026) – DeKalb Coun­ty Pub­lic Library (DCPL) announced today its line­up of events and expe­ri­ences for the annu­al Sum­mer Read­ing Chal­lenge. The Chal­lenge starts on June 1 and runs through the end of July. The theme, ​“Unearth a Sto­ry,” invites every­one to dig into a good book, explore cre­ativ­i­ty and dis­cov­er new things to try or do.

Chil­dren and teens who reach their goals will receive a book of their choice, prize bag, pop­si­cle from King of Pops and entries into grand prize draw­ings. Adults who com­plete the chal­lenge will be entered into draw­ings for gift cards, Chrome­books, noise-can­cel­ing head­phones, tote bags and more. 

“With such a wide vari­ety of pro­grams and activ­i­ties, we wel­come every­one in DeKalb to par­tic­i­pate in the Sum­mer Read­ing Chal­lenge,” said Ali­son Weissinger, DeKalb Coun­ty Pub­lic Library Direc­tor. ​“Read­ing can enter­tain, inspire and build empa­thy at any age, and for stu­dents, it can help pre­vent learn­ing loss while school is out.”

This year, DCPL will offer more than 400 free events and pro­grams across its 23 branch­es, includ­ing guest sto­ry­tellers, arts and crafts, mag­ic shows, pup­petry per­for­mances and ani­mal encounters.

Free books and many of the spe­cial events and prizes are made pos­si­ble by fund­ing and sup­port from DeKalb Library Foundation.

Res­i­dents can reg­is­ter at dekalbli​brary​.beanstack​.org or by vis­it­ing any DCPL branch.

To learn more about the ​“Unearth a Sto­ry” 2026 Sum­mer Read­ing Chal­lenge, vis­it dekalbli​brary​.org. 

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