Registration is open now!
You can begin recording your reading on June 29.
More information at the ReadSquared site.
Summer Reading Program
Category: Summer (& Winter) Reading
Winter Reading 2026
Read from January 2 through February 28
Hand in your BINGO cards by March 2
Free
No registration
One program for kids and teens, one for adults.
Cards are available at the library or you can print out your own from our website.
Read books that fit with categories on our BINGO cards, turn in the cards at the library, and be automatically entered in a drawing for one of several nice prizes at the end of the Challenge.
Teens & Kids Bingo Card
2025 Summer Reading Programs: Color Our World
Maxwell’s summer reading programs for Kids/Teens and for Adults have begun!
The programs run from June 30 through August 22.
Go to the ReadSquared site where you can register and then log your reading.
Programs:
- Kids (entering Pre-K through Grade 5 in September)
- Teens (entering Grades 6 – 12 in September)
- Adults (18+)
Each book, ebook, audiobook, or eaudiobook counts, and the more you read, the greater your chances to win one of our great prizes!
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2025 Summer Reading Programs: Color Our World
Maxwell’s summer reading programs for Kids/Teens and for Adults will be starting soon!
The programs run from June 30 through August 22, but you can register at ReadSquared starting June 1. Then, starting June 30, log your reading at the same website.
On the ReadSquared site, you’ll see information about and links to register for the appropriate program:
- Kids (entering Pre-K through Grade 5 in September)
- Teens (entering Grades 6 – 12 in September)
- Adults (18+)
Each book, ebook, audiobook, or eaudiobook counts, and the more you read, the greater your chances to win one of our great prizes!
Watch for more information on our website and in our newsletter.
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Winter Reading 2025
Read from January 1 to March 31
Hand in your cards by April 1
Free
No registration
Cards are available at the library, or you can print out your own from our website. Adults will have three different cards, one for each month. You can hand them in whenever is most convenient for you.
Get your hot cocoa ready, pick out your coziest PJs, and start planning your winter reading list! Maxwell’s 2025 Winter Reading Challenge will run from January through March. It will be fun and stress-free, just what you need for the winter months. Pick books that fit with categories on our BINGO cards, turn in the cards at the library, and be automatically entered in a drawing for one of several nice prizes at the end of the Challenge.
The prize drawing is on April 5.
One program for kids and teens, one for adults.
Adult Bingo Cards
Teens & Kids Bingo Card
Wild Wednesday: The MOST Science Show!
Adventure Begins at Your Library:
The MOST Science Show!
Wednesday, July 24
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
Planes, trains, and submarines – oh my!
Explore the many solutions that humans have engineered to get to their next adventure, from air travel to underwater exploration.
Discover more about concepts like aerodynamics, buoyancy, and beyond in this exciting live science demonstration!
Wild Wednesday: Music with Donna B!
Wednesday, July 17
10:30 to 11:30 AM
Free
Note that this is a morning program
Adventure Begins at Your Library: Music with Donna B!
Interactive Musical
There will also be Facepainting and tattoos!
Come Join Us for Musical Storytelling and interactive Music and Movement for Kids Ages 1 to 10!!
Shakers for All to Keep the Beat as we Celebrate Summer Reading!!
! Let’s Start The Day the Musical Way !
Thrilling Thursday
The Bubbleman
Thursday, July 11
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
The Bubbleman is back!
Join us for this fun, entertaining, interactive bubble show with The Bubbleman, Doug Rougeux!
These free family entertainment programs will run throughout the summer.
No registration is required, so come early for a front-row seat!
Only families with children 18 and under may attend this program.
Summertime (and the readin’ is easy)
July and August
Maxwell has summer reading programs for all ages!
Relax and Read!
Summer reading for adults 18 and older
July 1 through August 17
Read a book or listen to an audiobook to enter the prize drawing. Each book equals 1 entry. Digital counts, too, so now’s a good time to use Libby and Hoopla!
Register for the program on READsquared starting June 1. You can log your reading progress from July 1 through August 17. You’ll do this through READsquared once you’ve set up your free account, but we promise that it’s easy, and we are happy to help you if needed. READsquared is also where you will select which prizes you’d like to try to win.
You may put your name in for as many prizes as you want to try for, for as many times as you have points available. Winning participants in the random drawing at the end of the Relax and Read program may only win 1 prize.
Adventure Begins at Your Library
Kids and teens (PreK through 12th grade)
July 1 through August 14
For every 20 minutes you read, you can enter your name into one of our raffle jars for the drawings at the End of Summer Reading Party. You can also select a small prize each time you come to the library to fill out your raffle tickets!
Register for the program on READsquared starting June 1. You can log your reading progress from July 1 through August 14.
Winter Reading Challenge
Hibernate with a Good Book!
January 1 through March 31
Submit entries at Maxwell Library by April 1
Cold and snowy days are the perfect time to catch up on your reading, in both print and digital format.
We have one challenge for adults and one for kids and teens. There’s no registration—just read and submit your entries.
Log your reading progress on our BINGO cards for free chances to win one of several Target gift cards. The drawing will be on April 5.
Enter as often as you like. Cards are available at the library, or you may print your own at home through the links below:
End of Summer Reading Party
Thursday, August 17
5:00 to 6:00 PM
Free
Registration required
Join us for the end of Summer Reading Party to celebrate the past two months of fun and library activities.
End of Summer Reading Party
Did you participate in this year’s summer reading program for kids and teens?
Did you enter your name into one of our prize jars?
There will be free books, cookies, find out who won the raffle prizes, and more!
Registration required in order to plan for amount of cookies needed.
Only families with children 18 and under may attend this program.
Image credit:
Derived from Choc-Chip-Cookie by Evan-Amos
License: Donated to the Public Domain
Wild Wednesday: Captain Jack
Wednesday, August 16
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
All Together Now: Captain Jack
Arrrrrrrgh ye ready for a pirate program?
Come and see Captain Jack and learn how to be a pirate!
These free family entertainment programs will run throughout the summer.
No registration is required, so come early for a front-row seat!
Only families with children 18 and under may attend this program.
Image credits:
Pirate Flag of John Taylor
Rendered by RootOfAllLight
License: CC0 1.0
Terrific Tuesday
Jeff the Magic Man
Tuesday, August 1
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
All Together Now
Friends Stick Together
This year’s program is called Friends Stick Together.
Awesome fun awaits with Jeff and his friends!
In this brand new show, we’ll learn what it means to be great friends.
Thrilling Thursday
Dan the Snakeman
Thursday, July 27
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
Dan the Snakeman is back!
Learn all about reptiles and get a chance to hold some of the reptiles you learn about!
These free family entertainment programs will run throughout the summer.
No registration is required, so come early for a front-row seat!
Only families with children 18 and under may attend this program.
Terrific Tuesday
Zoo to You
Tuesday, July 18
5:00 to 6:00 PM
Free
All Together Now
Caring for Invertebrates
Learn about invertebrates and caring for the planet from Zoo to You staff!
These creatures without a backbone are all around us and we must work together to protect their natural environment. Artifacts and living specimens will be on-hand for participants to meet.
Monday Funday
I Speak Doggie
Monday, July 17
10:30 to 11:30 AM
Free
Registration required
Do your children love dogs? If so, this is a great program for them to attend!
Two pet trainers will present safety guidelines that could prevent dog bites when dealing with dogs! A therapy dog will be available to interact with the children.
This program is best for preschoolers up to tweens, but all ages are welcome.
Presented by Helping Hounds Dog Rescue
Thrilling Thursday
Dive into Stories with Regi Carpenter
Thursday, July 13
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
All Together Now: Swimming in Stories
Join Regi Carpenter as she shares stories of underwater tea parties, crafty alligators, and smart monkeys.
This is a fun, rollicking, participatory story hour!
Don’t miss it!
These free family entertainment programs will run throughout the summer.
No registration is required, so come early for a front-row seat!
Only families with children 18 and under may attend this program.
Wild Wednesday: The MOST
Wednesday, July 5
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
All Together Now: Systems of the Human Body
Learn about the human body by exploring the different systems within it. Discover the main purposes of each system and the ways they interact, allowing us to accomplish the amazing things we do every day!
These free family entertainment programs will run throughout the summer.
No registration is required, so come early for a front-row seat!
Only families with children 18 and under may attend this program.
Kids & Teens’ Summer Reading Program
Although the official beginning of Maxwell’s Summer Reading Program isn’t until July 1, you can sign up now at Maxwell’s ReadSquared page.
This year’s theme is All Together Now, and the dates for the program are July 1 to August 17.
Image credits:
Logo used by permission of the New York State Library
Maxwell at the Farmers Market
Cancelled
Monday, August 22
4:00 to 7:00 PM
Join us at the Camillus Farmers Market at Town of Camillus Green at 4600 West Genesee Street.
Enjoy crafts, activities, and spin our prize wheel to win a prize!
Learn about library programs and services.
See you there!
Wild Wednesday: Dan the Snakeman
Wednesday, August 17
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
Register here
Dan the Snakeman is back!
This year we will be hosting him down the street at Munro Park!
Get ready to learn all about reptiles!
Get a chance to touch and hold some of the reptiles Dan teaches you about.
Youth Summer Reading Raffle Drawing
Thursday, August 18
5:00 to 6:00 PM
Register here
Did you participate in this year’s summer reading program for kids and teens?
Did you enter your name into one of our prize jars?
Here is your chance to see whose names get drawn for the prizes.
You will also have the opportunity to pick out a free book!
Attendance is not required. If your name is picked, you will be contacted after the drawing.
Maxwell at the Farmers Market
Monday, August 15
4:00 to 7:00 PM
Join us at the Camillus Farmers Market at Town of Camillus Green at 4600 West Genesee Street.
Enjoy crafts, activities, and spin our prize wheel to win a prize!
Learn about library programs and services.
See you there!
Jeff the Magic Man
Saturday, August 13
11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Free
Registration required
For all ages
Don’t miss Jeff’s 2022 Summer reading show, What do you sea?
Along with his magic, he will also be creating his oceanic balloon art creations!
Come early for a front row seat!
If the weather cooperates and this program is outside, more people will be able to attend!
Wild Wednesday: The Bubbleman
Wednesday, August 10
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
Register here
Come for this fun, entertaining bubble show presented by Doug Rougeux!
Maxwell at the Farmers Market
Monday, August 8
4:00 to 7:00 PM
Join us at the Camillus Farmers Market at Town of Camillus Green at 4600 West Genesee Street.
Enjoy crafts, activities, and spin our prize wheel to win a prize!
Learn about library programs and services.
See you there!
Maxwell at the Farmers Market
Monday, August 1
4:00 to 7:00 PM
Join us at the Camillus Farmers Market at Town of Camillus Green at 4600 West Genesee Street.
Enjoy crafts, activities, and spin our prize wheel to win a prize!
Learn about library programs and services.
See you there!
Maxwell at the Farmers Market
Monday, July 25
4:00 to 7:00 PM
Join us at the Camillus Farmers Market at Town of Camillus Green at 4600 West Genesee Street.
Enjoy crafts, activities, and spin our prize wheel to win a prize!
Learn about library programs and services.
See you there!
Maxwell at the Farmers Market
Monday, July 18
4:00 to 7:00 PM
Join us at the Camillus Farmers Market at Town of Camillus Green at 4600 West Genesee Street.
Enjoy crafts, activities, and spin our prize wheel to win a prize!
Learn about library programs and services.
See you there!
Zoo to You
Monday, July 18
10:00 to 11:00 AM
Free
Register here
Come and learn about some of the awesome creatures who live at the Syracuse Zoo!
Wild Wednesday
Dive into Stories with Regi Carpenter
Wednesday, July 13
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
Registration required
Wednesday evenings during Maxwell’s Summer Reading Program are Wild Wednesdays!
These free, family entertainment programs will run on Wednesdays throughout the summer, from 6 to 7 PM.
Registration is required; come early for a front-row seat!
Dive into stories with Regi Carpenter in this highly interactive, engaging, literacy based, family friendly storytelling program about mermaids and seashells, the ocean, and mysteries of the deep!
Pirate Party
Saturday, July 9
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Free
Registration required
Pirates love the ocean!
What better way to celebrate summer and oceans than with a pirate party?
Pick a pirate name, design your own pirate flag, play some games, and grab a snack!
Image credits:
1969, 4c stamp depicting Pirates on Treasure Island
Issuing authority: British Virgin Islands
Digitized by: Jennifer Toombs
License: Public Domain
Wild Wednesday
The MOST: Oceans of Possibilities
Wednesday, July 6
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
Registration required
Wednesday evenings during Maxwell’s Summer Reading Program are Wild Wednesdays!
These free, family entertainment programs will run on Wednesdays throughout the summer, from 6 to 7 PM.
Registration is required; come early for a front-row seat!
Come and join us for the MOST’s Oceans of Possibilities discovery session!
It’s sure to be an amazing show!
West Genesee Summer Reading
The books that are on the West Genesee required summer reading lists for grades 5–12 are ready to check out. They are on an orange cart in the Youth Services area.
A few things to know:
- We own at least 2 copies of each book. Some are also available on OverDrive or Hoopla.
- Books are not holdable as such, but if you call ahead, we can pull them for later pick-up that day.
- Due to high demand, there is a limit of 1 book at a time per child.
Image credits:
Tre läsande kvinnor i sommarlandskap (Three Reading Women in a Summer Landscape)
by Johan Krouthén
License: Public Domain
Summer Reading Programs
Maxwell will have summer reading programs for children, teens, and adults. All the programs go live on June 27, but you can register now:
- ReadSquared page — Where you can register for all programs*
- More information on:
* Registration is optional for the adult program, but if you don’t register, please visit the program’s information page to see how to submit entries.
Winter Reading Challenge
January 1 through March 31
For adults and kids
Don’t just hibernate—come to the library first and stock up on books!
Cold and snowy days are the perfect time to catch up on your reading, in both print and digital format.
We have one challenge for adults and one for kids. Details are available at the desk, online, and on Maxwell’s social media.
Log your reading, progress on our BINGO cards for free chances to win one of several gift cards from Target.
Results of Adult Summer Reading
Some stats
- 196 entries were submitted
- 177 unique titles
- 137 authors or author teams involving 139 unique authors
- Additionally, 3 books were either
- Edited collections (2) or
- Works with a group/corporate author (1)
Most read authors
5 entries each
- Laura Dave
- Kristin Hannah
- Terry Pratchett
- Karen White
Most read book
Laura Dave, The Last Thing He Told Me (5 entries)
See the full list of entriesGrab and Go craft: Monkey Craft
Week of Tuesday, August 24
Free
Call the library or register online to reserve a kit
For children ages 3 to 10
Drop in at Maxwell to grab this week’s planned grab and go craft.
Our kids crafts for the summer will all be different animal crafts.
These crafts will fit nicely with the Tails and Tales theme!
This week’s craft is a monkey craft!
All supplies provided except scissors, glue, and coloring supplies.
Image credits:
Baby monkey with flowers by Manu Manjunath
License: CC BY 3.0
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Grab and Go craft: Dog Craft
Week of Tuesday, August 17
Free
Call the library or register online to reserve a kit
For children ages 3 to 10
Drop in at Maxwell to grab this week’s planned grab and go craft.
Our kids crafts for the summer will all be different animal crafts.
These crafts will fit nicely with the Tails and Tales theme!
This week’s craft is a dog craft!
All supplies provided except scissors, glue, and coloring supplies.
Image credits:
Basset Hound 600 by Sannse
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Grab and Go craft: Giraffe Craft
Week of Tuesday, August 10
Free
Call the library or register online to reserve a kit
For children ages 3 to 10
Drop in at Maxwell to grab this week’s planned grab and go craft.
Our kids crafts for the summer will all be different animal crafts.
These crafts will fit nicely with the Tails and Tales theme!
This week’s craft is a giraffe craft!
All supplies provided except scissors, glue, and coloring supplies.
Image credits:
Study of the Giraffe Given to Charles X by the Viceroy of Egypt (1827)
by Nicolas Huet the Younger (1770-1830)
License: Public Domain
End of Summer Reading Book Dash
Wednesday, August 11, 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
For kids ages 0–18
Registration preferred
Join us for the end of Summer Reading Book Dash to celebrate the past two months of fun and library activities.
Take a minute or two to pick out a free book and get a prepackaged cookie to go!
Masks and social distancing will be required.
Raffle winners will be drawn on August 12th live on Facebook at 1:00 PM!
Winners will be contacted.
Grab and Go craft: Fox Craft
Week of Tuesday, August 3
Free
Call the library or register online to reserve a kit
For children ages 3 to 10
Drop in at Maxwell to grab this week’s planned grab and go craft.
Our kids crafts for the summer will all be different animal crafts.
These crafts will fit nicely with the Tails and Tales theme!
This week’s craft is a fox craft!
All supplies provided except scissors, glue, and coloring supplies.
Image credits:
Eastern American Red Fox Vulpes vulpes ssp. fulvus by Joanne Redwood
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Wild Wednesday: Jeff the Magic Man
Wednesday, August 4, 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
For the entire family
Registration preferred
Wednesday evenings during Maxwell’s Summer Reading Program are Wild Wednesdays!
Each week we present a program to entertain and educate the whole family.
We are excited to host Jeff the Magic Man again this year!
This year we will be hosting Jeff at Munro Park down the street.
Feel free to bring your own blanket to sit on if you don’t want to sit on the grass.
Masks and social distancing will be required.
Grab and Go craft: Paper Chain Snake
Week of Tuesday, July 27
Free
Call the library or register online to reserve a kit
For children ages 3 to 10
Drop in at Maxwell to grab this week’s planned grab and go craft.
Our kids crafts for the summer will all be different animal crafts.
These crafts will fit nicely with the Tails and Tales theme!
This week’s craft is a paper chain snake craft!
All supplies provided except scissors, glue, and coloring supplies.
Image credits:
Coluber caspius by Kiril Kapustin
License: CC BY 2.5
Wild Wednesday: Dan the Snakeman
Wednesday, July 28, 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Free
For the entire family
Registration preferred
Wednesday evenings during Maxwell’s Summer Reading Program are Wild Wednesdays!
Each week we present a program to entertain and educate the whole family.
Dan the Snakeman is back!
This year we will be hosting him down the street at Munro Park!
Get ready to learn all about reptiles! Get a chance to touch and hold some of the reptiles Dan teaches you about.
Feel free to bring your own blanket to sit on if you don’t want to sit on the grass.
Masks and social distancing will be required.
Image credits:
Giant tortoise/Aldebra tortoise by Yotcmdr
License: Donated to the Public Domain
Grab and Go craft: Bobble-Head Cat Craft
Week of Tuesday, July 20
Free
Call the library or register online to reserve a kit
For children ages 3 to 10
Drop in at Maxwell to grab this week’s planned grab and go craft.
Our kids crafts for the summer will all be different animal crafts.
These crafts will fit nicely with the Tails and Tales theme!
This week’s craft is a bobble-head cat craft!
All supplies provided except scissors, glue, and coloring supplies.
Image credits:
From Cheshire Cat vanishing by John Tenniel
License: Public domain
Wild Wednesday: Unicorns: Break the Cage
Wednesday, July 21, 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Online via Zoom
Free
For the entire family
Registration required
Wednesday evenings during Maxwell’s Summer Reading Program are Wild Wednesdays!
Each week we present a program to entertain and educate the whole family.
This week join us on a wild adventure about two kids who visit the city zoo and discover all sorts of incredible animals, including a horse who knows in its heart that it’s truly a unicorn! The animals join forces to stand up to the tyrannical Zoo Owner — but do they have what it takes to leave their cages forever? The fun animated story segues into fascinating science concept segments about life sciences and animals, so you won’t only be entertained — you’ll learn something, too!
Presented by Talewise, formerly known as ScienceTellers.
This program will be held live virtually via Zoom. Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.
Image credits:
From The Statue of a unicorn in the Abbey of Herkenrode, Kuringen, Hasselt, Belgium by Wasily
License: Public Domain
Grab and Go craft: Lion Craft
Week of Tuesday, July 13
Free
Call the library or register online to reserve a kit
For children ages 3 to 10
Drop in at Maxwell to grab this week’s planned grab and go craft.
Our kids crafts for the summer will all be different animal crafts.
These crafts will fit nicely with the Tails and Tales theme!
This week’s craft is a lion craft!
All supplies provided except scissors, glue, and coloring supplies.
Image credits:
Lion in Serengeti National Park by Schuyler Shepherd (Unununium272)
License: CC BY-SA 2.5
Maxwell at the Farmers Market
Monday, July 19
4:30 to 7:00 PM
Join us at the Camillus Farmer’s Market!
We will have our prize wheel!
Answer questions and win prizes!
Kids & Teens Summer Reading
Summer reading is underway!
Go to our ReadSquared page to sign up and then read!
Every 20 minutes of reading earns a raffle ticket in the end-of-summer prize drawings on August 12.
Wild Wednesdays are also back (6 to 7 PM):
- July 21 — Unicorns: Break the Cage
- July 28 — Dan the Snakeman
- August 4 — Jeff the Magic Man
- August 11 — End of Summer Reading Book Dash