Maryland public libraries are the place to join a free summer reading club that offers programs and reading for fun to children and teens from birth through high school. Last summer more than 150,000 children and teens in Maryland participated in the Summer Reading Club.

Catch the Reading Bug is for children who enjoy being read to as well as those who read independently.

Metamorphosis is the theme for teens. Each public library system creates a club to meet the needs of local families. Participants in all clubs choose their own reading material such as books, magazines, websites or listening to audio books. Programs are planned to interest children and teens and sometimes include entire families.

This year Maryland's Summer Reading Club participants will also benefit from an exciting new partnership with the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles are generously donating 200 free tickets to each Maryland public library to award to selected reading club families. On Tuesday, August 19, the Orioles will recognize the members of the 2008 Summer Reading Club, by featuring one young person from each library system on the field.

This popular program is a cooperative project between the local public libraries, the Maryland State Department of Education and the Division of Library Development and Services, with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Local celebrations will occur throughout the summer. Contact your local library for more information on reading clubs for youth and adults at http://directory.sailor.lib.md.us/pub_use/county_map.cfm

Summer Reading Program Lists by County