Clark Memorial Library
Richmond, Rhode Island's Public Library Since 1880
7 Pinehurst Drive Phone: (401)364-6100
Carolina, RI 02812 Fax: (401)364-7675
Summer Reading
Program 2026
Plant a Seed, Read!
This year's Summer Reading Program theme is "Plant a Seed, Read!" The goal is not only to get your children reading during the summer months, but to also introduce the importance of growing knowledge.
We've taken the theme and inspiration from last year's trading cards to make new and exciting gnome-themed cards. Find more information about them below.
Clark Memorial Library SRP Sign-Up: June 15th through June 20th
Clark Memorial Library SRP Runs: June 21st through August 7th
The Summer Reading Program, sponsored by the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is a cooperative effort among libraries in Rhode Island to motivate children and teens to read for pleasure and to help them maintain their reading skills during the summer months. Have trouble figuring out what to read? Miss Olivia has put together a Reading List at the bottom of the page separated by age group if you're looking for ideas.
This is also a great time to get reading from the RI Book Award Lists!
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, June 23rd at 6pm Age 5 and older, sign up is required. Learn about how a seed travels and meet several animal friends that help that seed along.
Tuesday, June 23rd at 6pm Age 5 and older, sign up is required. Learn about how a seed travels and meet several animal friends that help that seed along.
Join us for one of our many Summer Reading Program Events! For events that require sign up, please call us at
401-364-6100 or stop by the front desk.
Kids SRP:
Grades K-6 or ages 5-12
Read 15 minutes a day and come in each week with your reading log for a Gnome Trading Card. You can also redeem Special Edition Gnome Trading Cards by attending Summer Reading Program Events. If you're unable to attend an event, we will have an alternate activity to complete to earn the award. This is available down below! :)
This is what the Kids SRP Reading Log looks like. Inside, there's a chart with one little picture to color in for every day that you read during the Summer Reading Program. Bring the log in once you have one whole week colored in for a Gnome Trading Card.
Teen SRP:
Grades 7-12 or ages 13-19
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Option One:
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Read at least 15 to 25 minutes a day and come in each week with your tallied reading log for a Gnome Trading Card. You can also redeem Special Edition Gnome Trading Cards by attending Summer Reading Program Events. If you're unable to attend an event, we will have an alternate activity to complete to earn the award. This is available down below! :)
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Option Two:
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Select a task from the list below to complete each week for cards instead of marking down tallies in your reading log. Bring in your log and we'll sign off on the task you've chosen.
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Sign up for the SRP (one time use).
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Check out 3 or more items (six time use).
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Submit a book review (six time use).
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Attend a SRP Event (seven time use for *Special Edition Cards*).
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Sign up for a Library Card (one time use).
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Read and rank a book on the RITBA list (six time use). The voting link can be found here.
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Adult SRP:
Ages 20 and older
We understand that life is wildly busy so we don't have a set program for adults. However, if you're interested, this year I've created a little reading log to help you keep track of what you read over the summer. It could be a fun, family activity to promote literacy or the perfect excuse for some adult down time after a busy day at the beach or the pool.
At the end of the summer, I've planned a Book vs. Adaptation Book Discussion. You would read the book and watch the corresponding adaptation prior to the event and then during the event we'd talk about the good, the bad, and which ones we'd recommend. If you'd like to participate, please sign up and take a look at the list I've complied of popular adaptations below.
Recent Events:
Tuesday, June 23rd at 6pm Age 5 and older, sign up is required. Learn about how a seed travels and meet several animal friends that help that seed along.
Tuesday, June 23rd at 6pm Age 5 and older, sign up is required. Learn about how a seed travels and meet several animal friends that help that seed along.
Take a look at all of the fun we've had this summer!
Can't Attend A SRP Event?
No Worries!
Being a Master Gnome Reader is NOT all about attending Summer Reading Program Events. Master Gnome Readers in training are often busy with garden related activities. And SOMETIMES you and your gnome friends are too sick to leave home. That's okay! If you'd still like to get your Gnome Trading Card for the event you missed, pick one of these special Master Gnome Reader Tasks to complete!
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Read an age appropriate book off of Miss Olivia's Reading List and either draw me a picture or write me a little note about it. If you really, really don't like the book, you don't have to finish it. Just make it through the first chapter. Bring your picture or note in and give it to one of the librarians, they'll give you your card and make sure Miss Olivia gets your message if I'm not there. :)
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Draw your own gnome and name them! Show one of the librarians and they'll give you your card. (If you'd like Miss Olivia to see it, either ask the librarian to give it to me OR have an adult email a picture of your gnome to clarklibrarytech@gmail.com).
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Check out a book about gardening or a cookbook.
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Draw your own little garden with all of your favorite flowers, vegetables, bugs, and friendly critters. Show one of the librarians and they'll give you your card. (If you'd like Miss Olivia to see it, either ask the librarian to give it to me OR have an adult email a picture of your garden to clarklibrarytech@gmail.com).
Gnome Trading Cards:
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Prizes for completing a week of reading, attending a SRP Event, or doing an alternate task will be Gnome Trading Cards! Each card is hand drawn by Miss Olivia and graciously printed by Rebecka Richards Photography.
At the end of the summer, you will be a Master Gnome Reader and you will have enough cards to trade with your friends and play a themed game of rock, paper, scissors. These cards are also compatible with the Dragon Trading Cards from last year's Summer Reading Program.
Don't forget to bring your trading cards to the Ice Cream Social so you can easily mix and match them with your friends!
Summer Reading
Photo Booth:
Take a picture in our Summer Reading Program Photo Booth! If you post the picture anywhere, use the hashtag #cmlsrp2026photobooth so we can see it! OR email it to us at clarklibrarytech@gmail.com, with parental permission, we'll post it here on the website!
Summer Reading Program Vendors:
