Registration is now open for Chillicothe Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, “Level Up at Your Library!” All ages—adults, too!—are invited to enjoy a season of exciting programming themed around gaming and play-based learning. The library hopes to encourage lifelong reading for fun and information, and to help prevent the loss of literacy skills when school is out.

To play along, register at bit.ly/CPLD25 or at the library, and read a little bit each day to level up. The reading goal is 90 minutes a week for six weeks (June 8 - July 19)—and reading to others or being read to counts. There will be weekly prizes along the way, and those who beat all six levels will earn a ticket to a Pool & Pizza Party at Shore Acres, plus the chance to win one of several grand prize bundles!

Visit chillipld.org for a full listing of engaging events for all age groups, including special performances, game nights, themed crafts, discussions, and more. While some events require tickets or registration because of space limitations, all are free and open to the public, regardless of attendees’ home libraries or whether they are participating in the Summer Reading Program. You can also bring the fun home with you by checking out the library’s growing collection of tabletop games and video games.

Kicking everything off will be the library’s annual Summer Celebration, from 12-2pm on Saturday, June 7! This outdoor event will feature live music by Chicago reggae band Gizzae, emergency vehicle interactions, face painting, an art activity, bubbles, and honey bee products and info from Riverview Road Apiary. Food and ice cream will be available for purchase from food trucks. Overflow parking is available at IVC High School, just across the street, with golf cart shuttle service available for those who need it. Consider bringing a reusable water bottle and a lawn chair to sit and enjoy the music.

The library is grateful to their Summer Reading sponsors: Anonymous, Cabbages & Kings Games, Casey’s, Chillicothe Park District, Chillicothe Players Theatre, Communication Junction, Dairy Queen, Elevate, Escape 60 Peoria, Escapetown Peoria, First Ascent, McDonald’s, One for All Games, Optimist Club of Chillicothe, Pearce Community Center, Peoria Chiefs, Peoria PlayHouse Museum, Peoria Rivermen, Taco Bell, and Wildlife Prairie Park.

For more information, stop by Chillicothe Public Library at 430 N. Bradley Ave., Chillicothe, IL; visit chillipld.org; or call 309-274-2719.