2026 Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff

at the Long Branch Library

Kick off the 2026 Montgomery County Public Library Summer Reading Challenge and MCPL's 75th Anniversary with an event for all ages!

Kick off the 2026 Montgomery County Public Library Summer Reading Challenge and MCPL's 75th Anniversary at the Long Branch Library (8800 Garland Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901) with an event for all ages! 

Activities include:

Drop-In Activities:

10:00am-3:00pm - Sign-up for summer reading and get your FREE giveaway!

10:00am-3:00pm - Drop-in Craft for Kids: DIY Scratch Masks

10:00am-3:00pm - Drop-in Craft for Adults: DIY Watercolor Bookmarks

10:00am-3:00pm - Scavenger Hunt: Can you find Tristan the Triceratops

10:00am-3:00pm - Drop-in Craft for Teens: DIY Mini Bookshelves

10:00am-3:00pm - Drop-In Activity for All Ages: Imagine the Library of the Future

11:30am-1:30pm - Drop-In Lawn Games

11:30am-1:30pm - Community Information Tables

12:00pm-2:00pm - Balloon Twisting with Mike Klee Magic 

Scheduled Events:

10:30am-11:15am - MCPL 75th - Luis Garay: The Passion and Inspiration of the Drum

11:00am-2:00pm - Alternative Careers in Sports with a Washington Spirit Soccer Representative 

12:00pm-1:00pm - Dino-ROAR: a contest for children 3-12 years old

12:00pm-2:00pm - Sarah's Handmaid Ice Cream 

1:30pm-1:50pm - MCPL 75th - What the Library Means to Me 

2:00pm-3:00pm - MCPL 75th - Soulful Music by Electric Violinist Bliss Ananda

During the event, library staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions about the program, assist with sign-ups, and provide materials for those who register. Can't make the event? Sign-up (or log in) online or at your local library starting May 15, and begin logging and tracking your progress, starting June 13th.

Register for our Summer Reading Challenge here: mcpl.link/summer-reading-challenge

This program is generously sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. 

Attend more events at the library or use your library card to access e-books, resources and more! Don't have a card right now? No worries!  Find out how to Get a Library Card.

Questions about this program? Contact the library at: (240) 777-0910

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

To request an accommodation, contact the library branch where you want the accommodation. If they are unable to help, or if you need an accommodation for an online resource or event, complete our Accommodation Request Form online or call Library Administration at 240-777-0002.

Upcoming Events