As the summer season begins, the Santa Clarita Public Library is excited to announce the kickoff of the annual Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” encouraging residents to combine reading with camping, adventure and skill development.

There are reading programs for adults, teens and children.

The Summer Reading Program offers Santa Clarita residents not only a variety of online book challenges but also incorporates outdoor crafts, storytimes, hiking, scavenger hunts, days out in our local parks and much more.

Starting June 6, participants can spend the following seven weeks logging days read, completing online challenges and taking part in activities across the city.

This year, the reading challenge will include audiobooks, storytelling, comics and more, in addition to traditional books. Participants will also win a prize for every seven days of reading and activities completed. If participants read a total of 21 days or more, they can get entered to win a grand prize.

This year, the Library is excited to announce camp mascots for each Library branch. At the Old Town Newhall Branch, campers will be known as the Blue Hedgehogs, at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Branch, the Green Raccoons and at the Valencia Branch, the Purple Possums. Get ready to show your Library spirit and collect buttons with each mascot.

For our residents who want to spend more time outdoors in nature, the Library is offering a variety of programming for children, teens and adults in our local parks. Enjoy activities like camp crafts, DIY gardening, bike safety and a presentation about the importance of bees.

Residents can also get their hiking shoes and headlamps ready for the Super Moon Hike on June 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Central Park. Participants will not only get a 360-degree view of the City but also enjoy a sound bath at the top of the hill. With so much to choose from, there will be an activity for every book lover or adventurer in Santa Clarita. For a full list of events visit Santa Clarita Library Events.

The Santa Clarita Public Library is also excited to offer “Lunch at the Library,” which is a grant-funded program that provides free, prepacked lunches to kids and teens 18 years old and younger. The lunches will be available for pick-up at the Old Town Newhall and Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy branches, Monday through Friday, from noon to 1 p.m. No identification is needed, so please enjoy a lunch at the Library.

The Summer Reading Program and Lunch at the Library will run until July 23. For more information on the programs visit Santa Clarita Library.

Start your summer reading program by registering at Santa Clarita Reads.

There are three libraries to visit in the Santa Clarita Library system.

Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library

18601 Soledad Canyon Road,

Canyon Country, CA 91351

(661) 259-0750

Monday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Old Town Newhall Library

24500 Main St.,

Newhall, CA 91321

(661) 259-0750

Monday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Valencia Library

23743 W. Valencia Blvd.,

Valencia, CA 91355

(661) 259-0750

Monday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.