Readers across St. Clair County can join the fun
By Barb Pert Templeton
When you want to get children, adults and well, everybody, interested in summer reading introducing a dinosaur theme likely can’t go wrong so that’s what the St. Clair County Library System (SCCLS) has created.
Starting on Saturday, June 13 and running through Saturday, Aug. 15, the summer program is “promising a prehistoric-sized mountain of fun for readers of all ages across the county,” according to a recent library press release. All are “invited to grab your metaphorical trowel and brush to discover worlds hidden just beneath the cover of a good book” for the theme, “Unearth A Story.”
To find out more about the Summer Reading Program Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Joseph Turbok, senior librarian for Adult Services with St. Clair County Library System, via email.
Blue Water Healthy Living: What’s the idea behind this year’s theme “Unearth A Story”?
Senior Librarian, Adult Services, Joseph Turbok: We take the Summer Reading theme from the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) organization. Member libraries give their input to select the theme for each year. Unearth A Story was selected because it conveys the joy of discovering or digging into a new book. The subjects the theme covers (dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology) are of high-interest for children and families. I mean, who doesn’t love dinosaurs.
BWHL: Does the library offer a reading list to get readers started or do they just decide on the topics themselves as they go alone?
The 2026 Summer Reading Program has a dinosaur theme.
Turbok: We do not have a set reading list that goes with Summer Reading. However, staff are more than willing to give suggestions on titles if the public wants a good book to read.
BWHL: How does the summer reading program work – a point system, raffles? Is it by branch?
Turbok: There are four challenges that patrons will select based by age group (Young Readers, Children’s, Teens, Adults). Patrons of all ages will log how many minutes they spend reading. Readers can select their home branch when registering but the program is the same for all library branches that are part of the St. Clair County Library System. Every 60 minutes logged earns one or more raffle tickets and also a reading badge. Patrons can earn more raffle tickets by attending select library programs while the program is running (June 13th- Aug 15th). On the app, you can select which raffle prizes to put tickets in for. Within each challenge, a certain number of minutes read must be reached to complete the challenge. Everyone who completes each challenge is automatically entered into a raffle for a grand prize.
BWHL: Where did the T-Rex theme come from this year?
Turbok: The theme of ‘Unearth a Story’ naturally conjured up images of dinosaurs among participating libraries. When deciding on artwork and subjects to match the theme, the king of the dinosaurs was naturally going to be front and center.
BWHL: Was the idea behind the dinosaur theme a way to attract children or?
Turbok: Participating libraries did cite dinosaurs as a high-interest area for both kids and adults.
BWHL: Since you mention that the Summer Reading program includes adults too, how does that work?
Turbok: The number of adults participating in Summer Reading has been increasing the past couple of years. All age groups will work the same. You keep track on the online app of how many minutes you spend reading a book.
BWHL: What’s your best advice for a patron who’s interested in introducing this to their children, but they aren’t regular library goers so they don’t know where to start?
Turbok: Come to the library of course. Staff will have no issue explaining the process and recommending any books to read. If patrons are intimidated by the online app, we have a print log option as well. People who want this option just keep track of their minutes on the paper log and turn it into staff at the end of the program.
BWHL: Would you say the summer reading program is a go at your own pace situation or are there goals to meet weekly?
Turbok: Patrons can go at their own pace. We don’t want anyone to rush when it comes to enjoying a good book. However, the faster a patrons read the more tickets they can earn for the raffles.
BWHL: How many participants did the Summer Reading Program have in 2025? Do you break it down by number of adults and number of children?
Turbok: We had nearly 3,600 participants for last year’s Summer Reading. We are able to view the amount per age group.
BWHL: What’s the best thing about this program from the library’s point of view?
Turbok: Staff loves seeing the excitement from all age groups. We love decorating to match the theme and creating unique programs and content every year.
BWHL: Would you say the library still plays an important role during the summer break for school age children across the county?
Turbok: The library plays a vital role in combating the “summer slide” that occurs with the school break. By offering fun program such as this, children and adults can view reading as a joy instead of a chore.
For more information visit the St. Clair County Library website at stclairlibrary.org.
