The Peterborough Public Library is inviting families to kick off the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge on Saturday, June 20 at the Main Library and the Miskin Law Community Complex.
This summer, astronaut Patch the raccoon is heading on an adventure across the solar system, and young readers are invited to join the mission. Every minute read helps fuel Patch’s rocket as they travel from planet to planet exploring space and helping the community work towards a reading goal of 300,000 minutes.
Children ages 0-12 can participate by tracking their reading in a Summer Reading Challenge logbook or online through Beanstack at ptbolibrary.ca/Beanstack. Readers will earn badges, collect prizes and discover new adventures along the way.
“The Summer Reading Challenge is a fun way to keep children engaged with reading throughout the summer while helping prevent the learning loss that can happen when school is out,” said Karen Clysdale, Community Development and Outreach Librarian for Children at the Peterborough Public Library. “By turning reading into a shared community goal, we’re helping children build confidence, strengthen literacy skills and discover the joy of reading while working together to reach 300,000 minutes.”
Events are taking place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Main Library and 2 p.m. to 3p.m. at the MLCC.
Families can also browse a Children’s Book Sale hosted by the Friends of the Library. The sale will take place at the Main Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Those who are unable to attend the launch can still register for the Summer Reading Challenge throughout the summer at either local library location.
(Written by: Felicia Massey)
