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Nebraska Summer Reading Programs

All Public and School Libraries in Nebraska can use Reader Zone if they wish:
The Nebraska Regional Library Systems and the Nebraska Library Commission teamed up to provide access to Reader Zone. This web-based software lets you create reading logs or calendars that can replace your paper ones. Those in your reading programs can report their progress through apps or via the Reader Zone website. You will then be able to see stats & progress without having to compile them yourself. You will be able to create multiple "groups" to best serve your community's needs. For example - you might create a group for young readers that has a goals based on the number of books read per week, one for teens based on number of minutes spent reading per month, and then one for adults that has per page milestones. This system is available to you year-round for any reading programs, children - adult, you wish to hold. Please register as soon as possible. To sign-up - please go to this link: https://forms.gle/wPk43jDHatxQXcGn8.



Nebraska is a member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) consortium who develops, produces, and distributes summer reading material to libraries in most states.

The Summer Reading Program Topic for 2025 is Art.
The Slogan for all is Color Our World and Artist: TBD.

Materials and order forms for the 2025 Summer Reading Program are mailed in October, 2024 and the deadline for ordering Summer Reading Program materials for summer 2025 will be December 1, 2024. Late orders may not be filled completely. Materials are scheduled to be shipped on March, 2025. [Shipping dates are subject to change.]

To see a listing of current, past, and future Summer reading programs please see below.

All public libraries will receive one copy of the program material at no charge. If a public library needs additional copies of the materials, the additional materials must be ordered directly from Highsmith at the regular purchase price.

Nebraska school libraries and media centers may receive one copy of the program materials at no charge, but only if one is requested. School libraries and media centers may request the manual by contacting Sally Snyder or by phone at 1-800-307-2665. Manuals should be requested by January 1. If a school library or media center needs additional copies of the manual, the additional manuals must be ordered directly from Highsmith at the regular purchase price.


Current Summer Reading Program in Nebraska:

  • 2025 Art; Slogan: "Color Our World"; Artist: TBD
    • Book List by Sally Snyder (PDF from 2025 SRP Workshops)
    • NCompass Live: 2025 Summer Reading Program Color Our World
    • Resources from CSLP and Order Form & Posters
              (you'll need your username & password)

Future Summer Reading Programs in Nebraska

2026 Topic: Dinosaurs, Slogan: Unearth a Story

2027 Topic: Mystery/Detective/Suspense, Slogan: Mysteries Await at Your Library

2028 Theme: Mythical Creatures (Unicorns, Mermaids, Dragons, etc.)

These topics and slogans were selected by the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) membership. For more information about the CSLP, go to the CSLP Web page. Here's a link if you would like more information about Nebraska's CSLP program.

For more information about summer reading programs in Nebraska, contact: Sally Snyder Coordinator Children and Young Adult Library Services.


Past Summer Reading Programs in Nebraska

  • 2024: Topic: Adventure; Slogan: "Adventure Begins at Your Library"
  • 2023 Topic: Kindness/Friendship/Unity; Slogan: "All Together Now"
  • 2022 Oceans of Possibilities for all groups
  • 2021  Tails and Tales for all groups
  • 2020  Imagine Your Story for all groups
  • 2019  A Universe of Stories for all groups
  • 2018  Libraries Rock! for all groups
  • 2017  Build a Better World for all groups

  • 2016  On Your Mark, Get Set, Read.
  • The Teen slogan for 2016  Get in the Game - Read.
  • The Adult slogan for 2016  Exercise Your Mind - Read.

  • 2015  Every Hero Has a Story.
  • The Teen slogan for 2015  Unmask!
  • The Adult slogan for 2015  Escape the Ordinary.

  • 2014  Fizz, Boom, Read.
  • The Teen slogan for 2014 was Spark a Reaction.
  • The Adult slogan for 2014 was Literary Elements.

  • 2013  Dig into Reading.
  • The Teen slogan for 2013  Beneath the Surface.
  • The Adult slogan for 2013  Groundbreaking Reads.

  • 2012  Dream Big - Read.
  • Teen slogan for 2012  Own the Night.
  • Adult slogan for 2012  Between the Covers.

  • 2011  One World, Many Stories.
  • Teen slogan for 2011  You are Here.
  • Adult slogan for 2011  Novel Destinations.

  • 2010 slogan  Make A Splash -- READ!
  • Teen slogan for 2010  Make Waves at Your Library.
  • Adult slogan for 2010  Water Your Mind  READ.

  • 2009 slogan  Be Creative @ your libraryTM
  • Teen slogan for 2009  Express Yourself @your libraryTM.
  • Adult slogan  Master the Art of Reading

  • 2008 Summer Reading Catch the Reading Bug
  • Teen - Metamorphosis @ your libraryTM

  • 2007 Get A Clue
  • Teen Theme - YNK (You Never Know @ your libraryTM

  • 2006 -Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales
  • Teen Theme - Creature Feature

  • 2005 - Dragons, Dreams, and Daring Deeds
  • Teen Theme - Joust Read

  • 2004 - Discover New Trails @ your libraryTM
  • Teen Theme - Get Lost @ your libraryTM

  • 2003 - Laugh It Up @ your libraryTM
  • Teen Theme - HA! (first Teen Theme)
    2002 - Join the Winner's Circle - Read
    2001- Reading Road Trip, USA
    2000- Cosmic Connections at Your Library
    1999- Treasure Your Library.
    1998- Rock 'N' Read.
    1997- Thrills & Chills At The Library.
    1996- Peer-Amid Books.
    1995- Adventure Begins at Camp Read-A-Lot.
    1994- Books Make The World Go Round.
    1993- Books Come In All Flavors.
    1992- Dive Into A Good Book.
    1991- Western Frontier!
    1990- Summer Safari : Stalk A Story.
    1989- Space And Beyond : Find Your Own Space With A Book.
    1988- Dino-Soaring Into Books.
    1987- Your Library -- Greatest Show of All!
    1986- Have a Bearable Summer.
    1985- All Aboard The Reading Railroad!
    1984- Go Hog Wild With Books.
    1983- Superreader.
    1982- Your Library -- The FUN FACTory
    1981- Fantasy Summer.

Manuals for each of the Summer Reading Programs listed above are available for check-out from the Nebraska Library Commission. If you are interested in borrowing manuals, please contact the Nebraska Library Commission at 1-800-307-2665 or send e-mail to Ask A Librarian. (Check outs are available to Nebraska Librarians only - we do not loan summer reading manuals outside Nebraska.)


CSLP Flyer to help you share why summer reading is important
We had a request from a State Rep looking for a flyer that helps demonstrate the importance of summer reading. We came up with this flyer that has some good information on the front, and has a space on the back where a librarian could put information on their upcoming programs, stats from last year's program, or additional summer reading facts. We tried to keep it generic enough that it could be used by you, the State Reps, or by the librarians you serve.   If you do not have PowerPoint, there is a PDF version of the file. You cannot edit the file, but you could add your information by running it through the printer twice.   Here is a link to the page with both versions of the file:   https://www.cslpreads.org/flyer-why-is-summer-reading-at-the-library-important/