2025 Statewide Summer Reading Programs in New Jersey Libraries

“Color Our World: Colorea Nuestro Mundo”

Published on June 13, 2025

Everyone of all ages is invited to “Color Our World: Colorea Nuestro Mundo” at their local public library this summer to celebrate this year’s theme of arts and creativity, with artwork created by illustrator Mike Mullan.

This theme encourages libraries to embrace the beauty of art in all its forms, creating a colorful tapestry of experiences for everyone.

Youth and adults are encouraged to visit their local public library in the summer to register to participate and find out what other exciting programming events their libraries have scheduled. In addition to offering many free special events, most libraries provide summer reading participants with chances to win prizes, such as books and other giveaways. Local schools can also join the summer program by partnering with their local libraries to encourage their students to participate. Local businesses and other organizations work with libraries by donating prizes or providing programming during the summer months too.

All New Jersey public libraries are members of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), a nonprofit consortium of libraries that works together to provide a unified summer reading theme and professionally created, evidence-based materials for member libraries to enable them to provide high-quality summer reading programs to their communities. Participation is nationwide, with representation from over forty U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Bermuda, and the Mariana Islands.

The Statewide Summer Reading Program is funded by the NJ State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion, and funding of the New Jersey Library Network.

The State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) is also working together with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) to coordinate efforts for the NLS Summer Reading Program! The third NLS Summer Reading Program will run Monday, June 16, through Friday, August 15, 2025. To explore the full summer schedule for TBBC patrons, click here.

For Additional Information

Please contact:

Sharon Rawlins
Project Coordinator,
Statewide Summer Reading Program
Youth Services Specialist
Library Development Bureau
NJ State Library
srawlins@njstatelib.org
609.278.2640 ext. 116