Get Ready for Calgary Public Library's Ultimate Summer Challenge

The Ultimate Summer Challenge at Calgary Public Library is back! Registration for the Library's largest program opens for registration this weekend. Free summer fun for readers of all ages, the Challenge is simple: read every day this summer. It encourages young families, kids, teens, and adults to log their reading every day and participate in free, fun activities and programs from July 1 — August 31.  

Registration is free and opens on Saturday, June 1 at all Library locations and online at calgarylibrary.ca.   

The Challenge is an opportunity to develop the habit of reading daily and having fun while doing it. It’s also a way to help combat summer slide — the concept that students lose some of the learning they achieved in school during summer break. But summer doesn’t mean students need to fall behind. Instead, the Challenge is a way to keep their minds active and growing. Whether it’s a novel, audiobook, comic book, or picture book — or even if it’s only a couple of pages a day — every little bit counts towards the Challenge. 

“Ultimate Summer Challenge is a favourite event for many Calgarians,” says Brin Chenille Bugo, Assistant Manager of Service Delivery at Central Library and project lead for the Challenge. “Beyond encouraging the basic ability to read, this Challenge creates a dynamic where learning becomes a shared adventure. The Challenge can be done by yourself, as a friendly competition between friends and families, or a way to make your book club even more interactive.”  

The Library summer reading programs are a Calgary tradition and the Ultimate Summer Challenge attracts nearly 20,000 readers of all ages each year. As the Library’s largest annual program, the Challenge is a great way to keep younger readers engaged in learning throughout the summer and build reading habits for the entire family.  

“Summertime learning doesn’t have to be intimidating; instead, it can be exciting and even a highlight of the summer. From reading a bedtime story in a tent to impromptu spelling showdowns at the kitchen table, the impact of family literacy resonates far beyond the pages of a book. All of this can help keep young people stay engaged in learning through the summer months and set them up for success when they head back to school,” says Bugo. 

Along with the Ultimate Summer Challenge, the Library offers a variety of virtual and in-person programs for all ages all summer long. This includes Family Storytimes, Drop-In Teen Writing Café, Creative Explorers, Skill Builders, and so much more.  

Registration is free and easy — just visit your local Library or calgarylibrary.ca/summer to sign up on Beanstack and be eligible for prizes. You can track your reading right in the app or on one of our Challenge maps available at all Library locations. Bring your map to any Library location each week for a progress sticker. 

Everyone who registers for the Ultimate Summer Challenge is entered to win great prizes. Each age group will have their own set of unique prizes, including Calgary Zoo memberships, game prize packs, activity subscriptions, iPads, AirPods, and more.  

The Ultimate Summer Challenge is part of the TD Summer Reading Club, which is a national program 
for kids in Canadian public libraries. The Ultimate Summer Challenge is presented by J K L 
MacLachlan Family Fund. Visit calgarylibrary.ca/summer for more information and to register.  

Other Resources:   

Register for the Ultimate Summer Challenge
View Upcoming Programs