Summer is a great time for discovery.
It’s a time to find new stories, uncover lost histories, learn new skills, and go on new adventures.
Rodman Public Library invites all patrons to take part in the 2026 Summer Reading Program, which has the theme of “Unearth A Story,” celebrating the many ways people can do all of those things through books and other resources found right at their local library.
As in the past, the program will feature three divisions, including one for children (up to 12 years old), one for teens (ages 12 to 18) and one for adults (18 years and older).
Patrons can register in person at the Main Library, the Branch Library, or on the Bookmobile, starting Tuesday, May 26. The Summer Reading Program will run through Saturday, August 1.
Patrons may also sign up online at rodmanlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365, or through the Beanstack app, which they can download on a mobile device.
Prizes will be awarded throughout the two months and patrons will earn entries into grand prize drawings that will be held after the conclusion of the summer reading program. Patrons are expected to pick up their prizes within a week, or make arrangements to do so.
To get the summer reading program off to a glowing start, a kick-off event will be held at the Main Library from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, and again from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 when the auditorium will be transformed into a Dino-Glow putt-putt course with lighting effects.
Here’s an overview of the 2026 summer reading program:
CHILDREN
Children who sign up for the Unearth A Story 2026 Summer Reading Program will receive a reading log and a bingo board when they sign up in person.
With every 15 minutes of reading completed, kids will color in a picture on the log. After coloring in 24 books, which amounts to six hours of reading, the reading log is complete and can be taken to the library to receive an entry into a raffle for several prizes, which consists of a book and corresponding $100 gift card in different themes this year. Themes include cooking/food, Legos, make up, art, Bluey stories, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and Roblox.
Children will also be awarded a certificate of completion, a book, and coupons from area restaurants.
Young readers can earn an additional ticket for every five additional hours of reading, which will be recorded on a supplemental sheet.
Another raffle entry can be earned by completing a bingo on the card inside the reading log. To complete a BINGO, children will need to complete challenges that fill in a line on their card.
TEENS
Teens will have plenty of opportunities to earn entries into the grand prize drawings for one of the grand prize packs, including a book, gift cards, and possibly other items in four themes, including Dungeons and Dragons, video games, crafts, and coffee.
Teens who complete 20 hours of reading, which will be recorded on a reading log, will earn a book, a summer reading-themed prize and an entry for one of the four grand prizes.
For each additional four hours beyond the initial 20, teens will earn an extra raffle ticket.
A nine-square bingo card will be included in a teen reading log. Each square will represent a task and for each challenge completed, teens will earn another entry. If all nine squares are complete, they will earn a bonus raffle ticket.
Attending a teen program during the duration of the Summer Reading Program will also earn a teen another entry for the grand prizes.
ADULTS
Adults can register either in-person or online through Beanstack.
Weekly prizes of $25 gift cards to various local businesses will be awarded throughout the Summer Reading Program.
Adult patrons can earn an entry ticket each time they use their card to check out any item. Patrons can also be entered into a weekly prize drawing by reading. Patrons can log books they read either through Beanstack, or by submitting a book ticket at either the Main or Branch Library.
Two grand prizes will be awarded at the end of summer reading -- one for those that checked out materials and one for those who submitted book tickets or logged books through Beanstack. Winners will have their choice of a Meijer gift card valued at $100 or a Beech Creek Botanical Gardens membership valued at $125. Winners who choose the Beech Creek prize will have the option of a family membership good for up to six people living in the same household, or a grandparent membership good for everyone who lives in your household plus all of your grandchildren ages 17 and younger regardless their residence.