San Jose libraries’ Summer Learning program ups its volume

The San José Public Library’s annual Summer Learning program is once again seeing record-breaking participation, with more than 10,000 participants of all ages registered, a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. The program runs through July 31.

The Summer Learning program is the library’s annual effort to keep students engaged and help prevent the “summer slide,” a learning loss that affects students during long academic breaks.

Within the first three weeks of June, readers collectively logged more than 40,000 books and nearly 700,000 minutes read. The library’s 2025 goal is to achieve over 4 million minutes read by the end of the summer.

The program has provided participants with more than 2,400 free books so that children and adults can build their home library.

The library’s comprehensive programming includes over 200 educational and interactive events hosted across all 25 branches, with offerings in multiple languages both in-person and online. Events range from children’s dance parties, author events, science shows and cultural performances to animal encounters featuring reptiles, tropical birds, and petting zoos—all designed to foster a lifelong love of reading and curiosity.

Participants also have the chance to win prizes including soccer equipment, outdoor space projectors, a vintage record player, and tickets to San Jose Earthquakes and Bay FC games. Prizes are age-specific, and all registrants receive a sign-up gift, with more rewards for completing the program.

For registration and full program details, visit sjpl.org/summer.