Skip to main content

Summer Reading FAQ & Time Trackers

"COLOR OUR WORLD" with art tools, plants, books, and creative elements like paint, scissors, and a rainbow.

Thank you for being a part of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library's Summer Reading Program!

Below we have answered several frequently asked questions. If you have any questions that are not answered in this FAQ, please feel free to contact our Youth Services Librarian, Dr. Emilee' Le Clear (contact information is below).

Can I read books that are not from the library? 

Absolutely. Although we highly encourage library use, we’re just happy to encourage reading in general. 

What is this year's Summer Reading theme? 
A hand holding a red paintbrush with green paint, surrounded by blue and pink sparkles.

This year's Summer Reading 2025 theme is Color Our World. We are embarking on a journey of art and creativity, celebrating the many ways in which art enriches our lives. The program is designed to inspire and engage readers of all ages through a diverse array of artistic expressions.

What age do I have to be to participate? 

Children, teens, and adults of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join the fun.

How can my baby or toddler participate? 

The Pre-Readers age group (0-5) will complete the same time tracker. Their hours can be completed by attending library activities like Story Time and/or by completing activities based on early literacy practices (singing, talking, playing, writing, and reading).

A simple, colorful butterfly illustration with red, pink, green, blue, and lime wings.

Some ideas for early literacy activities are:

  • Sing children’s songs or nursery rhymes to or with your child.
  • Use finger paint to draw shapes and letters.
  • Help your child paint or draw a picture.
  • Play at a local park.
  • Play a hand motion game like patty-cake or a fingerplay song like Itsy Bitsy Spider.
  • Read to or with your child.
How do I sign up my entire family? 

Each participant needs to be registered separately. If you are signing up your family, you will need to complete the registration process for each individual. 

Time Tracker

Track your time spent reading and completing activities during Summer Reading with our time tracker:

SRP 2025 Time Tracker.docx
How do I log my Summer Reading hours and activities? 
Illustration of an instant camera with colorful stripes on a photo print.

You can pick up a time tracker from the library or download the time tracker form (click on the above link to download) and color in a space for each hour you read or activity that you complete. At least 5 hours of the 10 hours on the game board should be reading. Reading can include being read to, reading to someone, reading by yourself, or listening to an audiobook. The other 5 hours can be spent participating in summer activities, art-related activities to fit this year's Color Our World theme, or more reading. All age groups use the same time tracker.

What is an activity? 
A person in a wheelchair painting a picture on an easel.

An activity is anything that encourages participants to get involved with our theme. Summertime activities and reading-related activities are also suggested. For this year’s theme of "Color Our World", here are some ideas for activities involving imagination, creativity, and play:​

  • Draw a picture.
  • Color in a coloring book.
  • Take a photograph.
  • Record a video.
  • Make up a silly song and dance. 
  • Cloud watch. 
  • Crochet, knit, sew, or quilt a gift for a friend.
  • Write a short story or poem.
  • Create an origami piece.
  • Sculpt a creation out of clay.
  • Make a paper airplane.
  • Bake a yummy treat.
  • Finger paint.
  • Draw on the sidewalk with chalk.
  • Start an art journal. 
  • Visit an art museum.
  • Create an art piece out of something from nature. 
  • Watch a video about art.
  • Upcycle an unused household item into a work of art. 
  • Read to your stuffed animals.
  • Listen to a family member read a story.
  • Create a blanket fort to read under. 
  • Start a book club with a book buddy.
Where do I write down what activities I’ve completed? 

You don’t have to record your activities. On your time tracker, you color in each number block as you complete an hour of an activity (such as a library program or outside activity) or an hour of reading.

Do I need to record the titles of the books I've read? 

No, tracking the books you read is more for your own benefit. It is not required to complete the program.

When and where do I turn in my time tracker? 

Your time tracker can be turned in anytime starting from Friday, June 13th until Friday, July 18th. You can bring it into the library and hand it to a front desk staff member. We will call you when your prize for completing the time tracker is ready to be picked up!

Do I have to go to library programs to participate in the Summer Reading Program? 

You do not have to go to any of the Summer Reading library programs. Programs are a bonus that we provide for our readers. However, attending programs can count towards your total hours on your time tracker.

What if I’ve completed my time tracker? Can I get another time tracker? 

You can’t get another time tracker, but you can enter our Extreme Reader Challenge by filling out extreme reader slips. You can complete as many extreme reader slips as you want.

For Children, for every 3 extra hours you read, your name is added to a drawing for more prizes.  

For Teens, for every 5 extra hours you read, your name is added to a drawing for more prizes.  

For Adults, for every 5 extra hours you read, your name is added to a drawing for more prizes.  

Extreme Reader Challenge

Once you have turned in your time tracker, you can pick up extreme reader slips at the library. Be sure to turn your completed slip(s) in to the library front desk staff so we can enter your name to win prizes. 

A person pushing a cart loaded with colorful books, surrounded by clouds, stars, and abstract shapes.

Children's Extreme Reader Slips:

SRP 25 Extreme Reader Children.docx

Teen Extreme Reader Slips:

SRP 25 Extreme Reader Teen.docx

Adult Extreme Reader Slips:

SRP 25 Exteme Reader Adult.docx

Have more questions?

If you have any other questions, please contact the library at (931) 684-7323 or email the Youth Services Librarian, Dr. Emilee’ Le Clear, at youthservices@sbcplibrary.org.

We cannot thank our Summer Reading Sponsors enough for their support:

Illustrated profile of a person with books and art supplies, featuring vibrant colors and decorative elements.
  • Henegar Law Firm
  • Templeton & Assoc.
  • Prosser Towing
  • Nash Family Creamery
  • 7 Brew
  • First Community Bank
  • Ascend Federal Credit Union
  • Bedford Vet. Partners LLC/Northpoint Animal Hospital
  • Hands On Science Center
  • Donna Thomas
  • Bedford County Farm Bureau
  • Tennessee Aquarium
  • Two Sisters Travel
  • Bedford County Democratic Women
  • Mary Pitner
  • Cascade Veterinary Hospital, LLC
  • Lee Adcock Construction Co, Inc.
  • "Wetsley Warriors" from First United Methodist Church
  • Pack Orthodontics
  • United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church
Join our mailing list