Summer Reading FAQ & Time Trackers

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

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

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.
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
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.

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

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.

Children's Extreme Reader Slips:
SRP 25 Extreme Reader Children.docxTeen Extreme Reader Slips:
SRP 25 Extreme Reader Teen.docxAdult Extreme Reader Slips:
SRP 25 Exteme Reader Adult.docxHave 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:

- 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