The Summer Reading Program is a cornerstone of the library’s mission to inspire curiosity, build literacy and keep learning alive all year long. Photo courtesy of Placer County

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - Placer County Library’s 2025 summer reading program, “Level Up,” wrapped July 31 on a high note, bringing thousands of readers together for a summer of books, activities and community fun.

This year, 3,088 participants registered for the reading challenge, logging an impressive 2.4 million minutes read, beating last year’s record by more than 150,000 minutes!

Library locations were buzzing with activity, welcoming over 2,000 attendees to an exciting lineup of events, from awe-inspiring magic shows, puppet performances, animal encounters and more.

Weekly drop-in activities offered extra opportunities for creativity, artistic expression and educational enrichment. Over 15,000 of these so-called “Side Quests” were completed across local libraries this summer.

“Programs like Level Up are more than just fun—they help kids maintain and even improve their reading skills while school is out,” said Library Services Director Mary George. “We’ve heard from families again and again that the Summer Reading Program makes a real difference.”

Parents have seen the impact not only on one-on-one reading time with their children, but on report cards as well.

“One mom told us her son’s reading grade rose to a ‘B’ last year thanks to the program. She was so proud of her son and so thankful to the library for modeling the fun and enjoyment of reading,” George said. “Our team has recorded dozens of similar stories from families this summer that demonstrate the value of library engagement for student success.”

The Summer Reading Program is a cornerstone of the library’s mission to inspire curiosity, build literacy and keep learning alive all year long.

For more information about upcoming programs, visit the library’s website at http://www.placer.ca.gov/library and follow Placer County Library on social media for the latest news.