“To read is to voyage through time.”- Carl Sagen 

This summer, journey back in time, to the land of the dinosaurs and uncover the wonders a good book can hold with Fairfax County Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Adventure. This year’s theme – Unearth A Story – is all about dinosaurs, paleontology and archaeology. It encourages readers to “dig into” books, explore the past and uncover hidden histories, all with the help of their local libraries. How is FCPL embracing the theme? Keep reading to learn more about the Adventure, how to participate and what kinds of events and programming we have in store.

How to Participate in the Summer Reading Adventure

Running from June 17 to August 19, readers of all ages will have the opportunity participate in the Adventure. As in previous years, there are four different age groups: birth-2nd grade, 3rd-6th grades, teens and adults. Depending on the category, participants will have to earn ten or fifteen virtual badges by reading or listening to books, reading for 20 or 30 minutes, completing activities or a combination of all three. Once you’ve earned your badges (or completed your paper log,) you may stop by any of FCPL’s 22 open branches to receive a coupon booklet/sheet from our community sponsors, as well as coupons from the Fairfax County Park Authority. Finishers will also be entered into drawings for limited prizes based on their age group. Information about the coupons and prizes can be found on our website here.

Ways to Track: Beanstack

Beanstack is the online tool FCPL and many libraries use to present and track reading challenges. It’s an easy way to keep track of the books you read. When you create a Beanstack account for yourself or your family, you will be connected to any seasonal library reading programs. When a reading program ends, don’t stop reading! You can keep right on logging your leisure reading and at the start of the next library program, no need to re-register—just click on it, and you’re in.

Participants can pre-register on Beanstack for this year’s Summer Reading Adventure starting Wednesday, June 10. Those who register for the Adventure using Beanstack between June 10 and June 17 will automatically be entered to win one of 80 $25 e-gift cards to Scrawl Books, courtesy of the Fairfax Library Foundation.

Want to learn more how to use Beanstack? Check out our All About Beanstack page at bit.ly/FCPL_AllAboutBeanstack or send an email to LibLibraryEvents@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Ways to Track: Paper Logs

While Beanstack is convenient, FCPL knows there are many reasons why someone may want to keep track of their progress another way. For this reason, the library will be providing paper logs, available both in branch and for print off the library website here, beginning the first day of the Adventure, Wednesday, June 17.

Need Some Reading Inspiration to Get Started?

Our collection team has put together a list of dinosaur-themed books to help you kick-off your summer reading. Check it out below: 

Summer Reading Events and Activities

Your local library is the place to be this summer with tons of fun programs and activities for all ages. Here's a sneak peek into some of what we have planned.

Summer Reading Festival

Back for its fourth year, the Fairfax Library Foundation Children's Summer Reading Festival is the kick-off to our Summer Reading Adventure. The event, which takes place on Saturday, June 13 at the Fairfax County Government Center, features free fun including games and crafts, bounce houses, snacks, facepainting, a photobooth, a D.J., live entertainment and more, as well as food trucks with items available for purchase. Visitors who stop by the FCPL booth at the festival can sign up for the Summer Reading Adventure and pick out a free book while supplies last. More information about festival, including a form to “register” to receive a free tote at the event, is available online here.

In-Branch Programs

Do you like magic? What about animals? Music and cultural performances? Or are you just in it for the dinosaurs? Whatever the case, we have a program for you this summer! The FCPL Programming department has been hard at work scheduling fun, interactive and educational presenters to travel around the county and lead programs on a variety of topics such as history, STEAM and, of course, dinosaurs. On top of that, our branch staff will be hosting events of their own including movie screenings, storytimes, craft programs and more. Check out the calendar below for a quick view of upcoming events or visit our events page here for a complete list of Summer Reading Adventure programming.

Field Guide

A large part of archaeology and paleontology is going to unknown places to discover something exciting. During this year’s Adventure, we want you to embrace that spirit and discover our different FCPL branches! With 22 locations to explore, this is a great way to find out what makes each of our libraries different and, who knows, maybe you’ll find something you have been missing.

To help library visitors out with this “excavation” of our branches, we have created a Library Adventure Field Guide. Available for pick up at any of our branches, the guide features spaces for participants to get stamps at each library’s information desk. Once a participant has collected five stamps, they can turn the guide in to receive a special prize. Field guides and participation in this activity are available during the Summer Reading Adventure, as long as supplies last.