Take the Challenge and Join the Fun!
This Summer, spend time exploring books, history, social justice, and STEAM through books and creative activities. At the Kern County Library, we encourage you to be creative, try new things, explore art, and find beauty in diversity.
Everyone, ages 0-100+ can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge.
Read books, eBooks, graphic novels, magazines, or listen to audiobooks.
Visit our eLibrary to check out eBooks and eAudiobooks.
Readers receive (while supplies last):
✴ A FREE book from the Friends of the Kern County Library, Inc.
✴ A FREE bookmark, and digital badges when you log online.
(*while supplies last)
Sign up through the mobile app
Use Beanstack to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and track reading online or with the mobile app. 
Earn digital badges, record reading sessions, and manage family accounts easily with Beanstack!
What You Need to Know
about the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge
Why Participate?
Parents can keep children and teens learning and engaged all Summer long!
The Kern County Library Summer Reading Challenge encourages children and teens to read what they want over the Summer months, which helps instill a love of recreational reading. Numerous studies show that those who read for fun during the Summer out-perform others once back in school.
Challenge offers FREE events and programs for all ages, exposing residents to new skills, ideas, and learning opportunities.
Challenge Options
Choose the challenge that best fits your reading goals!
✴ 10 books | Read 10 books to your child or to yourself & turn in your reading log.
✴ 10 HOURS | Read for 10 hours to your child or yourself & turn in your reading log.
Complete your challenge by July 31st.
P.S. Summer Reading is for Adults too!
When parents model reading, it helps show children there’s enjoyment in reading and purpose in learning. When adults read for themselves, they enjoy a range of benefits including enhanced empathy toward others, a reduction in stress, a lower blood pressure and heart rate, and it also prevents cognitive decline as you age!
Access programming
2 Ways to Access Programming for the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge
Access through Facebook
On Facebook, upcoming events are listed in Events, current events are in the Newsfeed, & archived events are available in the Videos section of the page.
Follow the Library at Facebook.com/KernCountyLibrary. All Branch handles below:
Print your Library's Event Calendar
Event highlights
Lunch at the Library
Tackle the Summer heat and join us for Lunch at the Library! Enjoy FREE activities, book giveaways, and more! See below for libraries serving lunch and their hours.
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 4 – July 26
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $5.75
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 4 – July 26
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
MONDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – August 2
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $5
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – August 2
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6
MONDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – August 2
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – August 2
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6
WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 12 – July 19
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $5.75
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 11 – July 19
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $5
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – July 26
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6.25
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – July 26
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6.25
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 4 – June 28
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6
Tuesday – Friday
11:30AM – 12:30PM | May 30 – July 26
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – August 2
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – July 26
Children, under 18 – FREE*
Parents & Caregivers – $6.25
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – July 26
Children, under 18 – FREE*
Parents & Caregivers – $6.25
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30Pm | June 6 – July 19
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $5
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
CLOSED FOR RENOVATION
MONDAY – WEDNESDAY
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $5
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – August 2
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6
MONDAY & TUESDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 3 – July 23
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
Parents & Caregivers – $6
TUESDAY – FRIDAY
11:30AM – 12:30PM | June 4 – July 26
Children, ages 2-18 – FREE
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The Summer Food Service Program is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administered in California by the California Department of Education. Lunch at the Library is a project of the California State Library, supported with funds from the State of California and made possible through partnerships with Arvin Union School District, Bakersfield City School District, Delano Union Elementary School District, El Tejon Unified School District, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Kern High School District, Lamont Elementary School District, McFarland Unified School District, Sierra Sands Unified School District, Southern Kern Unified School District, Taft City School District, Wasco Union Elementary School District
Storytimes for all ages
Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, & fun for the whole family.
Baby Bounce
Tues. | June 11 | 11AM
Family Storytime
Weds. | June 5 | 4PM
Weds.| June 12 | 4PM
Weds.| June 19 | 4PM
Weds.| June 26 | 4PM
Preschool Storytime
Fri. | June 14 | 11AM
Surprise Storytime
Thurs. | June 6 | 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 13 | 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 20 | 10:30AM
Bilingual Storytime
Thurs. | June 27 | 10:30AM
Baby Bounce
Fri. | June 14 | 10:30AM
Fri. | June 28 | 10:30AM
Baby Bounce
Mon. | June 3 | 10:30AM
Mon. | June 17 | 10:30AM
Preschool Storytime
Tues. | June 4 | 10:30AM
Tues. | June 11 | 10:30AM
Tues. | June 18 | 10:30AM
Tues. | June 25| 10:30AM
Toddler Time
Thurs. | June 6 | 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 13 | 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 20 | 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 27 | 10:30AM
Audiobooks & Art
Fri. | June 7 | 3PM
Fri. | June 14 | 3PM
Fri. | June 21 | 3PM
Fri. | June 28 | 3PM
Family Storytime
Sat. | June 1 | 12PM
Sat. | June 8 | 12PM
Sat. | June 15 | 12PM
Sat. | June 22 | 12PM
Sat. | June 29 | 12PM
Storytime
Mon. | June 4 | 12PM
Mon. | June 11 | 12PM
Mon. | June 18 | 12PM
Mon. | June 25 | 12PM
Tue. | June 5 | 12PM
Tue. | June 12 | 12PM
Tue. | June 19 | 12PM
Tue. | June 26 | 12PM
Wed. | June 6 | 12PM
Wed. | June 13 | 12PM
Wed. | June 20 | 12PM
Wed. | June 27 | 12PM
Family Storytime
Fri. | June 1 | 12PM
Fri. | June 15 | 12PM
Fri. | June 22 | 12PM
Fri. | June 29 | 12PM
Toddler Time
Thurs. | June 6 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 14 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 18 | 6PM
Family Storytime
Tues. | June 4| 1PM
Sat. | June 8| 12PM
Sat. | June 15 | 12PM
Tues. | June 18 | 11PM
Thurs. | June 20 | 11PM
Sat. | June 22 | 12PM
Sat. | June 22 | 12PM
Preschool Storytime
Fri. | June 7 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 13 | 11AM
Fri. | June 21 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 27 | 11AM
Baby Bounce
Weds. | June 5| 9:45AM
Family Storytime
Sat. | June 8 | 11:30AM
Sat. | June 15 | 11:30AM
Sat. | June 22 | 11:30AM
Sat. | June 29 | 11:30AM
Toddler Time
Weds. | June 26 | 9:45AM
Family Storytime
Thurs. | June 6 | 2PM
Thurs. | June 13 | 2PM
Thurs. | June 20 | 2PM
Thurs. | June 27| 2PM
Preschool Storytime
Weds.| June2 6 | 2PM
Preschool Storytime
Thurs. | June 6 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 13 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 20 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 27 | 11AM
Family Storytime
Fri. | June 7 | 11AM
Fri. | June 14 | 11AM
Fri. | June 21 | 11AM
Fri. | June 28 | 11AM
Family Storytime
Sat. | June 1 | 11AM
Sat. | June 8 | 11AM
Sat. | June 15 | 11AM
Sat. | June 22 | 11AM
Sat. | June 29| 11AM
Baby Bounce
Fri. | June 7 | 11AM
Fri. | June 14 | 11AM
Fri. | June 21 | 11AM
Fri. | June 28 | 11AM
Toddler Time
Thurs. | June 6 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 13| 11AM
Thurs. | June 20 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 27 | 11AM
Preschool Storytime
Mon. | June 4 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 11| 11AM
Thurs. | June 18 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 25 | 11AM
Preschool Storytime
Wed. | June 5 | 1:30PM
Wed. | June 19 | 1:30PM
Toddler Storytime
Tues. | June 6 | 1:30AM
Tues. | June 13 | 1:30AM
Family Storytime
Fri. | June 7 | 4:30PM
Fri. | June 14 | 4:30PM
Fri. | June 21| 4:30PM
Fri. | June 28| 4:30PM
Preschool Storytime
Weds.| June 5 | 10:30AM
Family Storytime
Fri. |June 7 | 11:30AM
Fri. |June 14 | 11:30AM
Fri. | June 21 |11:30AM
Fri.| June 28 |11:30AM
Baby Bounce
Thurs. | June 6 | 9:45AM
Toddler Time
Weds. | June 19 | 10:45AM
Family Storytime
Sat. | June 8 | 12PM
Sat. | June 15 | 12PM
Sat. | June 22 | 12PM
Sat. | June 29 | 12PM
Surprise Storytime
Thurs. | June 6| 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 13| 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 20| 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 27| 10:30AM
Toddler Time
Fri. | June 7 | 10:30AM
Fri. | June 21 | 10:30AM
Baby Bounce
Fri. | June 14 | 10:30AM
Fri. | June 28 | 10:30AM
Preschool Storytime
Thurs. | June 6 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 13 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 20 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 27 | 11AM
Family Storytime
Thurs. | June 7 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 14 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 21 | 11AM
Thurs. | June 28 | 11AM
Baby Bounce
Tues. | June 19 | 11:00AM
Toddler Time
Tues. | June 12 | 11:00AM
Mon. | June 26 | 11:00AM
Family Storytime
Thurs. | June 6 | 9:30AM
Thurs. | June 13 | 10:30AM
Thurs. | June 20 | 9:30AM
Thurs. | June 27 | 10:30AM
Baby Bounce
Fri. | June 7 | 9:30AM
Fri. | June 21 | 9:30AM
Toddler Storytime
Thurs. | June 6| 11AM
Thurs. | June 20| 11AM
Family Storytime & Craft
Sat.| June 1| 10:30AM
Sat.| June 8| 10:30AM
Sat.| June 15| 10:30AM
Sat.| June 22| 10:30AM
Sat.| June 29| 10:30AM
Baby Bounce
Thurs. | June 13| 11AM
Thurs. | June 27| 11AM
Closed For Renovation
Family Storytime
Mon. | June 3 | 3PM
Mon. | June 10 | 3PM
Mon. | June 17 | 3PM
Mon. | June 24| 3PM
Preschool Storytime
Tues. | June 4 | 11AM
Tues. | June 11 | 11AM
Tues. | June 18 | 11AM
Tues. | June 25 | 11AM
Family Storytime
Fri. | June 7 | 11AM
Fri. | June 14 | 11AM
Fri. | June 21| 11AM
Fri. | June 28 | 11AM
Baby Bounce
Mon. | June 10 | 11:30AM
Toddler Time
Mon. | June 17 | 11:30AM
Preschool Storytime
Mon. | June 24 | 11:30AM
Family Storytime & Craft
Tues. | June 4 | 12PM
Tues. | June 11 | 12PM
Tues. | July 18 | 12PM
Tues. | July 25 | 12PM
Audiobooks & Art
Thurs.| June 6 | 12:30PM
Thurs.| June 13 | 12:30PM
Thurs.| June 20 | 12:30PM
Thurs.| June 27 | 12:30PM
Family Storytime
Sat. | June 8 | 12PM
Sat. | June 15 | 12PM
Sat. | June 22 | 12PM
Sat. | June 29 | 12PM
Coloring Station
Stop by our coloring station and make new friends while expressing yourself through color. Take a coloring sheet or an activity sheet and have some fun! All month long we will have coloring sheets ready for you, so come on by!
Sponsors
A special thanks to the Friends of the Kern County Library, Inc. and individual branch Friends’ groups for their support of the Summer Reading Challenge.
Additional Support:
Big Blue Bear
Black Gold Brewing Company
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and Science
Carquest Auto Parts
Cheryl’s Diner
Coopers True Value Home Center
Crumbl Cookies
CSUB
Dave & Buster’s
Dave’s Glass Shop
Dealz
Domino’s Pizza
DoorDash
DR. Charles Walker, DDS
Family Food Mart
Fastrip
Fertile Earth Nursery and Garden Center
Foster’s Donuts
Gaslight Melodrama
Hello Fresh
Jamba Juice – Marketplace
Jesse’s Pizza
Jo’s Family Restaurant
La Cima Mexican Food & Cantina
La Rosa
La Salsa Restaurant & Catina (Taft)
Long John Silver’s
Luigi’s Italian Restaurant
Maya Cinemas
Mi Casita
Mister Car Wash Mountain Vista Market & Gas
Mt. Mesa Lanes
Naked Wines
Nelda’s Diner
Old Isabella Coffee Co.
Ovation Theatre
Packed Plates
Patin Photography
Patty’s Cafe
Personal Style
Pizza Barn
Ridgecrest United Methodist Church
R & M Snow Fun Shaved Ice
Roberto’s Mexican Food
Route 33 Sandwich Company
Schu-Fu Martial Arts Dojo #119
Sno-White Drive-In
Sparkling Image Car Wash
Studio 1 PMC
Taft Family Tire
Tahoe Joe’s
Taqueria Los Charros Del Neri
Texas Roadhouse
The Bank Sports Lounge
The Same Place Cafe
West Side Recreation & Park District
Westside Furniture
Wienerschnitzel
Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds
Yogurt Zone
