What is Summer Reading Club?
Developed by Toronto Public Library and sponsored by TD, the TD Summer Reading Club (TD SRC) is a free, fun and flexible reading program for kids of all ages and abilities. Over 2,200 public libraries across Canada take part each year—including all branches of London Public Library.
Getting started is easy:
- Sign up at your neighbourhood Library
- Pick up your notebook and start tracking your books
- Start reading anything, anywhere, at your own pace
- Visit us to talk about your books, earn stickers, and win prizes
There are no set reading lists, no time limits, and absolutely no pressure. Kids simply read what they enjoy, tell us about it, and collect fun rewards along the way.
Starting June 21, families can visit any Library location to register and join the fun!
Every summer, children walk into the Library a little nervous, a little unsure. By the end, they’re bursting with stories—not just the ones they read, but the ones they lived.
To learn more, we sat down with Claire, one of our Children’s Librarians and a soon-to-be parent, who’s passionate about helping kids build confidence and discover the joy of reading.
Why Summer Reading Matters
Over the summer, school libraries close, and structured reading time disappears. For many children, this means their reading skills can slide backward.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
London Public Library is open all summer, ready to support learning, literacy, and discovery. Our collections even reflect the Ontario curriculum. But most importantly, we make reading fun.
“We really work on fostering a love for reading,” Claire explains, “and what’s most important isn’t the book they’re reading, but that they’re reading at all.”
Claire shared the story of a young girl learning English who visited regularly during TD SRC, “She was reading books that were all fantasy-based, and I remember asking her if she’d read Harry Potter yet. She said ‘No, I haven't. I'm going to wait until my English is better to try it, because I really want to get the whole thing.’” She kept coming in over the summer and getting stronger. By the end of the summer she told Claire, ‘Next summer is the summer I’ll do it!’
Summer Reading Club gives children like her a chance to set goals, improve their skills, and work toward something they’re proud of.
But literacy is only part of the story.
A Safe Place to Belong
Summer Reading Club also helps kids feel like they belong.
When kids come in to talk to us, we echo their excitement,” Claire says. “By being excited and engaged with kids, they become more comfortable with us and realize that the Library is a safe and welcoming space. We just genuinely want to hear from them.”
These book chats, often just five minutes long, give children a chance to practice communication and build social confidence in a relaxed setting.
“There was this one little boy who was very shy. When he first came in, he would only talk to his favourite Library staff member,” Claire recalls. “Every week we saw him, we would get a little bit more out of him, a couple extra words. But by the end of the summer, he would talk to all of us as well.”
“They really start to feel at home here,” Claire adds. And that’s what Summer Reading Club is all about.
A Program That Brings Generations Together
Ask around and you’ll hear it: “I remember doing the Summer Reading Club!”
For many adults, it’s one of their fondest memories, walking to the Library every day, playing reading games, or finding books through colour-coded clues. It’s how many of today’s parents first fell in love with reading.
Now, they’re passing that tradition on to their kids.
“My one might be too little this summer to play,” Claire laughs, “but next year I would do it for sure.” (Her little one hasn’t been born yet, but it’s never too early to plan for storytime!)
And if you loved Summer Reading Club as a kid, join us again for our adult summer reading program. Register alongside your child and make it a family adventure.
Behind the Scenes with Claire: How TD SRC Works
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“When the kids come in to register, we'll ask them a couple of questions: their name, school, age, and if they've participated before. Then we’ll give them a notebook to keep track what they read. Every time they tell us about a book, they get a ballot for a weekly prize draw.
You only have to register once, and any time you visit the Library, you can come chat with staff about your books.” -
“You can visit once a week, once a month, whatever works for you. There’s usually a desk at every location where kids can check in. You might need to wait in line, or browse and come back. Most Library locations open at 9am and are also open in the evening, making it easy to find a time that works for your family.
Chats are usually five minutes or less, and there’s always someone who’s excited to hear about your books!
Every time you share a book with us, you’ll get a sticker. Hopefully, you can collect them all this summer!” -
“Anything! If you read something interesting in a nonfiction book, or even in a board game, we’d love to hear about it. You don’t have to read Library books either, books from home or ones you’ve bought are totally fine.
If you’d like, we can also recommend great summer reads, including books by Canadian authors." -
We want it to be fun and easy!
“We don’t want it to feel like school or an assignment. We’re just excited to hear about the books you’re excited about. Remember, you’re talking to people who love books and love to read, we’re genuinely curious about what you’re reading.
If you come in and want to update us on every chapter, we love that! If you didn’t like a book or couldn’t finish it, that’s okay too. Talk to us about it, and we can help you find something new.It’s all about building a love of reading, enjoying books, and discovering something new at the Library.”
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“I remember one kid reading all of Harry Potter in one summer and giving me updates every time they came in. When something major happened in the books, I’d celebrate with them. Their excitement was contagious.”
Join the Fun!
Registration for our summer reading clubs and challenges begin on June 21.
Visit your neighbourhood branch to sign up and play along with us!
You can also check out our summer page to learn more about events, challenges and programs for all ages.
We can’t wait to see you!