Live Oak Public Libraries’ Annual Summer Reading Challenge kicks off in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties on June 1.

This year's theme is "Adventure Begins at Your Library.

Readers of all ages are invited to sign up for the Challenge at any of LOPL's sixteen branches, from June 1 to July 31. Children and teens will receive a welcome bag at sign up. All participants receive a keepsake Adventure Journal to record their progress, while supplies last.

This year, LOPL is kicking off the Challenge with six block parties, each held between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, June 1. Rain or shine, the community is invited to join parties at the Bull Street, Forest City, Hinesville, Islands, Rincon or Southwest Chatham branches. Readers can sign up to begin their adventure. Each party will be unique, with entertainment, crafts and activities, snacks, story times and more, from staff and community partners.

Challenge participants track reading time and activities to earn prizes as they progress toward completing 10 hours of reading. Everyone who completes 10 hours by July 31 wins a prize and a chance to win a Grand Prize. Grand Prize winners will be announced August 8th.

Until July 31, free special events and programming is planned at all branches to appeal to all ages.

"The Summer Reading Challenge is a free and fun way to encourage reading and improve literacy across our community," said Executive Director, Lola Shelton-Council.

"Our goal is to inspire the joy of reading throughout the community. School-aged participants will have fun, stay engaged and maintain literacy progress over the summer break. This year we've created categories for children, teens and adults so families can participate and explore the joy of reading together."

For more information, visit your local library branch, join a block party June 1 or go to liveoakpl.org/events/src2024.