Having Fun While Fighting the Summer Slide

The Fort Worth Public Library is hosting a kick-off to Summer 2025 with a free celebration at Trinity Park on Saturday, May 31 at 10 am. Residents are encouraged to come out with friends and family to enjoy outdoor games and activities, sign up for the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge, enjoy local entertainment and make memories.

“Summertime in our public libraries is about exploration and reading for fun,” said Library Director Midori Clark.

To encourage more reading for everyone and combat the summer slide in young readers, the Fort Worth Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge is back after a record-setting 2024, with participants reading more than 4.5 million minutes. In partnership with the Fort Worth Mayor’s Office, this program encourages residents and families to spend more time reading this summer.

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Public Library

“We know that students lose on average about 20% of their school-year gains in reading during the summer break,” said Mayor Mattie Parker. “The Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge encourages our kids to spend more time reading this summer vacation to prevent that backslide.”

Within the challenge, reading minute milestones are tracked easily in the Beanstack app or website, and prizes are awarded at local library locations when participants complete the challenge. Residents can sign up 24/7 in the Beanstack app (iOS and Android) and anyone who needs help can ask the Library’s staff on their next visit.

When participants sign up for the challenge, they can earn a free short stack from IHOP. There are prizes along the way like free books, tote bags and more. The real prize might be in finding a new favorite author, story, or library experience – like story times with free admission to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, the first Monday of each month, all summer long.

“Reading and literacy is foundational in a thriving community,” said Parker, “And our wonderful libraries make it so much fun for Fort Worth families through this initiative.”