Summer Learning Challenge
Adventure begins at your library this summer!
June 1 - August 10, 2024
How the Summer Learning Challenge at Richland Library Works
Embark on your learning journey by selecting to track progress through time or activity; complete one side of the tracker to complete your adventure and claim a prize!
Option 1: Track by Time
- Read, listen, or learn for 30 minutes.
- Mark off a circle for every 30 minutes you complete.
- Complete 30 circles to finish.
- Return your tracker to any library location for a prize.
Option 2: Track by Activity
- Complete a listed activity.
- Check off a circle for every activity you complete.
- Complete 10 circles to finish.
- Return your tracker to any library location for a prize.
Completion Prize Includes:
- A Medal (For children and teens)
- Physical prize of Your Choice:
- Drawstring Bag, Binoculars, or Beach Ball
- Free Admission to the Columbia Museum of Art (Good for entry of one adult and one child under 18 through December 31, 2024.)
- Free Ticket to a Select Columbia Fireflies Game (Good for one child or teen.)
- One Free Item for Friends and Foundation Book Sale (Up to a $2 value)
- BOGO Coupon for Pelican's SnoBalls (Available at Rose, WeCo, Decker, and NoMa locations.)
Read It Forward:
Children who complete the challenge a second time can choose to Read it Forward instead of receiving a prize, and we will donate a book to a local non-profit. Teens and adults can opt to Read it Forward at any time. Books purchased through Read it Forward support Summer Community Books Initiatives at affordable housing sites across Richland County. In 2023, Community Outreach served 259 children and adults throughout the summer with Pop-Up Libraries at over 35 housing sites.
Making Summer Count
Summer Slide, or summer learning loss, refers to the unfortunate issue that on average students lose up to two months of learning over the summer. Summer learning loss often impacts low-income students the most, and the loss is cumulative, getting worse each and every summer.
However, there is good news! Reading for just 30 minutes a day can prevent the Summer Slide and help ensure that students return to school in August ready to learn.
We are committed to helping every student avoid the Summer Slide with a summer full of reading and learning. If you have questions or need personalized recommendations for your child, please call us at 803-799-9084.
Free Meals for Kids and Teens
June 3 - August 2 (except July 4)
Kids and teens ages 18 and under can get a free meal*, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Monday-Friday all summer long at the following three library locations:
Edgewood | 2101 Oak St., Columbia 29204
North Main | 5306 North Main St., Columbia 29203
St. Andrews | 2916 Broad River Rd., Columbia 29210
*Available while supplies last.
Our Sponsor is Francis Burns United Methodist Church, and the program is managed in South Carolina by the SC Department of Education.
There are many Summer Break Cafe sites available in Richland County. You can use the site locator tool on the USDA website to find the site closest to you. You can also text "FOOD" or "COMIDA" to 304-304 to find a meal site close to you.