Richardson's Summer Reading Club Is Back, and the Library Has a Lot More Than Books Waiting for Kids

A Full Summer at Campbell Creek Boulevard

The Richardson Public Library opened its Summer Reading Club on June 1, and the program is already running at full tilt through the weeks ahead. Reading tracking is ongoing, but the calendar surrounding it — story times, craft sessions, live animal presentations, magic performances, and dinosaur-themed activities — is what turns a straightforward reading challenge into something kids actually look forward to each day of summer break.

The library sits at 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., a building that draws steady foot traffic from families across Richardson all year. In summer, that traffic spikes in a way that reflects just how seriously this community takes the program. Parents who have brought children through the Summer Reading Club in previous years tend to come back not only for the reading incentive itself, but because the accompanying events fill afternoons with experiences that are hard to replicate anywhere else for free.

What the Program Actually Looks Like

The Summer Reading Club is open to both children and teens, and the range of programming reflects that dual audience. Younger children get story times and crafts designed around the season’s themes, while the broader lineup includes performances and presentations that hold the attention of older kids as well.

Among the highlighted programs this summer are live birds of prey demonstrations, which bring trained raptors into a library setting in a way that tends to leave a lasting impression on anyone who has not seen a hawk or owl up close. Magic performances are also on the schedule, along with dinosaur-themed activities that lean into the hands-on, participatory style that distinguishes library programming from passive entertainment.

The common thread across all of it is that these programs are free and rooted in the kind of learning that does not feel like schoolwork. That distinction matters during summer, when children are out of the classroom and families are looking for engagement that does not require a significant budget.

Why Richardson Invests in This

The Summer Reading Club is not a new concept — public libraries across the country run versions of it every year — but the depth of Richardson’s accompanying programming sets it apart from a simple reading log with stickers. The library has consistently treated summer as a season to expand what the building can do for the community, stacking events that appeal to different ages and interests rather than relying on the reading tracker alone to carry participation.

For families new to Richardson or new to using the library as a summer destination, the program offers an easy entry point. Registration for reading tracking began June 1, so anyone who has not yet signed up can still do so. The events themselves are accessible without any advance commitment — showing up is enough.

The library’s location on Campbell Creek Blvd. also makes it a natural anchor for summer schedules. It sits within a part of Richardson that is well-connected to residential neighborhoods, and its hours during summer accommodate both morning and afternoon visits depending on how a family’s day is structured.

Connecting the Summer Reading Club to Richardson’s Broader Summer

The Summer Reading Club does not exist in isolation. Richardson’s summer programming this year stretches across parks, civic venues, and public spaces in ways that give families multiple reasons to stay engaged with the community between June and late July.

The Eisemann Center at 2351 Performance Dr. has its own summer activity running concurrently — the children’s theatre production The Super Pickle was staged at the Bank of America Theatre on June 20, and the First Thursday Art Walk on July 3 opens the new “Urban Whispers” exhibit at the Green Mezzanine Gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. with free admission and light bites. These are separate programs, but they reflect the same civic impulse: keep Richardson’s public spaces active and accessible when school is out.

Out at Breckinridge Park, the City’s Urban Naturalist program is running nature-based events for residents who want to move beyond indoor programming. The Summer Reading Club’s live birds of prey component gestures toward a similar interest in connecting children with the natural world — just indoors, and with a librarian rather than a trail guide.

Before You Go

The Summer Reading Club is ongoing through summer 2026 at the Richardson Public Library, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Reading tracking started June 1. The full schedule of accompanying programs — story times, crafts, magic, birds of prey, and dinosaur activities — is available through the library directly. There is no cost to participate. For current program dates and times, the library’s page on the City of Richardson website is the most reliable place to check, as the events calendar is updated regularly throughout the season.