Summer Reading 2023
Summer Reading FAQs
When does Summer Reading start?
Summer Reading 2023 begins Monday, June 5th, but you can start signing up online as early as May 22nd!
There will be Sign-up parties at Loma Colorado Library on June 7th, and at Esther Bone Memorial Library on June 8th to kick off a summer full of programs!
What is Summer Reading?
A FREE program at Rio Rancho Public Libraries.
• An opportunity to earn prizes by reading books. Reading is a proven way to keep brains sharp.
• A way to experience and be a part of the community.
• A series of live cultural, educational, and entertaining performances and interactive experiences.
• Pick up your sign-up prize starting anytime May 22nd and after. (Supplies are limited)
• Cool fun on hot days.
What value does Summer Reading have for children?
Numerous studies show that kids who don’t read during summer vacation fall behind in reading ability by the time school begins again. Summer reading programs are a fun incentive to keep kids engaged with reading, while having the opportunity to attend events that promote education and socialization.
Planning activities over the summer is also a great way to balance screen time. This allows children have a variety of opportunities to develop friendships, creativity and various skills that will combat the harmful effects of too much screen time.
How do I sign up for Summer Reading?
Sign up online starting May 22nd and complete the required form.
Who can participate?
Everyone!
For children (0 - entering 6th grade):
1. Sign up for Summer Reading online and pick up a sign-up prize, reading log, and BINGO card at any Rio Rancho library.
2. Earn a prize book when you’ve recorded at least 15 minutes of reading per day, for 15 days in June. Earn a second prize book for recording at least 15 minutes of reading per day, for 15 days in July.
3. Once you’ve completed a whole reading log, BINGO, or blackout BINGO, bring them to the library to be entered into a raffle for a prize basket or a bike.
Everything must be brought to the library by August 5th in order to be eligible for prizes.
For teens (entering 7th - 12th grade):
1.Sign up for Summer Reading online and pick up a sign-up prize, reading log, and BINGO card at any Rio Rancho library.
2. Earn a prize book when you’ve read 4 books over 7 weeks and earn a snack prize when you complete five in a row for BINGO.
3. Once you’ve completed a whole reading log and/or BINGO, bring them to the library to be entered into a raffle for a prize basket or bike.
Everything must be brought to the library by August 5th in order to be eligible for prizes.
For adults (18 & older):
1. Sign up for summer reading online starting May 22nd.
2. One name will be drawn each week for a total of 6 weekly adult reading prizes.
Program Descriptions
Printable Calendar
Summer Reading Signup Party | June 7, 2023 at 10:30am | Loma Colorado Library
Family Event
Kick off the Summer Reading Program and celebrate the Summer Reading Theme of “All Together Now” at Loma Colorado Library with Legos, murals, and snacks!
Summer Reading Signup Party | June 8, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Family Event
Kick off Summer Reading at the Library! Join in creating "All Together Now" decorations for the Library to display all summer long. Snacks provided!
Fantasy Gardens | June 8, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Tween Event
Bring a little magic into your life by building a fantasy garden to display in your room. Registration is required as supplies are limited.
DIY Mod Podge | June 10, 2023 at 10:00 | Loma Colorado Library
Adult
Customize a coaster and a mouse pad with vintage map scrapbook paper and Mod Podge. There will be step by step instructions to learn how to create one-of-a-kind, functional pieces of art.
Story Slam | June 13, 2023 at 1:00 | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Family
The Storytellers of NM will tell tales and invite discussion of how to begin participating in local Story Slam events and how slams have evolved to become such a popular performance art. If time allows, members of the audience may be able to present their own three-minute story.
ABQ BioPark | June 14, 2023 at 10:30am | Loma Colorado Library
Family Event
Meet some of the ABQ BioPark’s amazing animals and learn all about how animals adapt to survive!
DIY Ball Caps | June 15, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Tween Event
Get ready for the summer by decorating a blank baseball cap! Bring your creativity and we'll supply the rest! Registration is required as supplies are limited.
Hawks Aloft at Esther Bone | June 15, 2023 at 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Family Event
Interact with wild native birds brought to us by Hawks Aloft, a local non-profit rescue and conservation organization. Registration is required.
Teen Self Defense Class | June 16, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Teen Event
Work with Heather Winkeljohn, co-owner of the nationally recognized Wink's MMA gym, and learn how to keep yourself safe. Come in comfortable clothes and be prepared to move! Registration is required as spaces are limited.
NM Books to Film| June 17, 2023 at 10:00 | Loma Colorado Library
Adult
The program includes a look at the work of 15 NM authors and clips from the movies that were made from their work; it will be light, fun, and lasts about 100 minutes.
NM United Soccer at Esther Bone| June 20, 2023 at 2:00 PM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
All-Ages Event
Meet a professional soccer player! A NM United Soccer player and team representative will be here to read to children and sign autographs.
Flamenco at the Library | June 21, 2023 at 10:30am | Loma Colorado Library
Family Event
Come watch a Flamenco performance by the internationally recognized National Institute of Flamenco at the Loma Colorado Library.
Robot Rumble with R4 Robotics | June 22, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Family Event
R4 Robotics will bring their robots for a robot battling competition at the Esther Bone Memorial Library. Children can also enjoy other activities provided by R4.
Racing Rubber Band Cars | June 22, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Tween Event
Build a rubber band powered car and race it! How fast can your car go, and just how far can a rubber band take it? Registration is required as supplies are limited.
Fractals at the Library | June 28, 2023 at 10:30am | Loma Colorado Library
Family Event
Spend the morning with the New Mexico Fractal Foundation and explore the patterns that make up the world around us!
Read to the Dogs at Esther Bone | June 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Children’s Event
Welcome Tales of Joy back to the Esther Bone Library and read to the best audience ever! Register upon arrival.
Sew it Together | June 29, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Tween Event
Bring a little animal or monster to life in this fun sewing-themed craft day!
Wonders on Wheels | July 5, 2023 at 10:30am | Loma Colorado Library
Family Event
Experience one of the rotating exhibits featured in the Wonders on Wheels Museum at Loma Colorado Library!
New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom | July 6, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Family Event
Make butter and learn about dairy farming in New Mexico from New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom, a non-profit educational outreach program funded primarily by the membership of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau.
Blast Off! Bottle Rockets | July 6, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Tween Event
Build, decorate, and launch a water and air pressure powered bottle rocket. How high will your rocket fly? Registration is required as supplies are limited.
Pop-Up Bike Clinic | July 7, 2023 at 10:30 | Loma Colorado Library
All Ages
The Esperanza Pop-Up bike shop will be onsite to fix or maintain your bike, look into new parts or upgrades, and just talk bikes! Esperanza is a City of Albuquerque program focused on bicycle education: safety, self-sufficiency, and comfort of recreational, fitness, and utility riders.
Swirl-a-Mug | July 11, 2023 at 1:00 | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Adult
At this drop-in craft, create a unique mug for sipping your favorite beverage. By adding two layers of dishwasher safe Mod Podge, it will be dishwasher safe (top rack); not microwaveable.
NM Museum of Natural History & Science | July 12, 2023 at 10:30am | Loma Colorado Library
Family Event
Join the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and learn all about the creepy crawlies of New Mexico!
Llamas Del Sol at Esther Bone | July 13, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Family Event
Local nonprofit Llamas Del Sol will bring some of the llamas they take care of to Esther Bone Memorial Library.
World Snack Fair | July 13, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Tween Event
Get your food passport stamped by trying snacks from seven different countries! Can you guess where each snack is from? Registration is required as supplies are limited. Snacks may include or have been exposed to gluten, soy, and peanuts. *Please be sure to indicate any food allergies when registering; we regret that not all dietary restrictions can be met*
Social Sleuths with Explora | July 14, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Teen Event
Learn about your digital footprint by doing some detective work on social media. How much can you learn about people online just from looking at what they and their friends share? Registration is required as spaces are limited.
Opera Unlimited Presents: The Three Billy Goats Gruff | July 19, 2023 at 10:30am | Loma Colorado Library
Family Event
Experience the wonders of opera in the comfort of your local library as Opera Unlimited presents their brand-new show: The Three Billy Goats Gruff!
Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program | July 20, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Family Event
Learn about the complex Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem. Explore the plants in our local ecosystem and practice making observations about the natural world with The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program.
Catapult Crash Course | July 20, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Tween Event
Build a catapult and use it to sling your way through a series of catapult obstacle courses and accuracy challenges. Registration is required as supplies are limited.
Mini Libraries | July 21, 2023 at 2:30pm | Loma Colorado Library
Teen Event
Build a mini library or book nook hidden in an actual book! Registration is required as spaces are limited.
Library Field Day for Tweens | July 22, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Tween Event
All tweens, ages 9-12, are invited to play field day games in the backyard of Esther Bone Library. Be prepared to get wet!
Summer Reading Finale Party| July 26, 2023 at 4:00pm | Loma Colorado Library
Family Event
Celebrate the end of the Summer Reading Program at a family friendly dance party DJ'ed by DJ Too Hot to Stop. Enjoy pizza, snacks, and good company.
Calligraphy Demonstration | July 29, 2023 at 10:00 | Loma Colorado Library
Adult; All Ages
Take home a personalized bookmark created by members of the Meadowlark Senior Center Calligraphy Club, made just for you! As you watch the magic unfold, you’ll learn about the different tools and techniques used to create this beautiful artistic form.
Summer Reading Finale Party | July 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Esther Bone Memorial Library
Family Event
Celebrate the end of summer of reading with a grand finale! Come to the library for snacks, crafts and fun.
Multiple Date Programs
Jiggle and Jam
0-5 years with Adult Caregiver
Join us for an interactive program with songs and movement! Build motor and social skills, increase independence, and enhance language ability in your child.
Teen Anime Club
Teen
Do you like anime and manga? Join like-minded fans at our monthly Anime Club. New shows and topics every month, plus themed food and activities.
Teen Advisory Group
Teen
Earn volunteer hours while making the library a great place for teens. Help plan programs, recommend library materials, and more.
Teen Escape Room
Teen
Register by yourself or with your friends for this race against the clock! Can you solve the mysteries of the room and escape before time runs out?
Storytimes:
Bumblebee Bounce
Designed for ages 0 - 2 years old with an adult caregiver
Budding Bookworms
Designed for ages 3 - 5 years old with an adult caregiver
Storytime at Esther Bone
Designed for ages 0 - 5 years old with an adult caregiver
READ to the Dogs
Elementary Readers & Family
Read to the best audience ever! Register upon arrival.