South Pasadena Public Library Announces Annual Summer Reading Program
Published on May 29, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Leticia Cheng Ku, Children’s Services Librarian
Phone: (626) 403-7356
Email: lchengku@southpasadenaca.gov
Subject: South Pasadena Public Library Announces Annual Summer Reading Program
South Pasadena, CA – The South Pasadena Public Library’s Summer Reading Program (SRP) – Level Up At Your Library – will take place June 2 through August 2. Participants of all ages are invited to read and track time spent reading for opportunities to earn prizes, as well as attend a variety of in-person programming. Registration for SRP begins Monday, June 2. For complete SRP details, visit the Summer Reading Program landing page on the Library’s website at www.southpasadenaca.gov/SRPinfo.
Programming will take place throughout the summer with activities for all ages, including storytimes, Wonderful Wednesday events, a My Gym activity, an opportunity to march in the Festival of Balloons parade, Walk ‘N Talk Book Club, and All Abilities Club.
Starting the week of June 10, storytimes will be held every week. Preschool Storytime will be on Tuesdays for 3 to 5 year olds at 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Toddler Storytime will be on Thursdays for 1 to 3 year olds at 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m., and Family Storytime for all ages will be held on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Storytimes are fun-filled experiences that promote early literacy skills, engage young children in age-appropriate cognitive and physical developmental activities, and provide opportunities to learn and practice social skills – like listening, following directions, and learning by observing others – that will take them through their school years and beyond.
The Library’s popular Wonderful Wednesday series will return on June 11 and will feature a variety of visiting entertainers. Most of the Wonderful Wednesday events will be held on the Oxley Street side of Library Park with the exception of two that will be held in our Library Community Room. The series of performers will showcase juggling, magic, music, storytelling, art, drama, and science. My Gym Pasadena will present an energetic and engaging playtime event for children ages 1 to 10 years old on June 27 at 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Designed to spark children’s imagination, provide a socialization opportunity, and build their confidence, My Gym will lead singing, dancing, and a reading of A Magical My Gym Day. No registration is required.
Families will have the opportunity to march with the Library in the annual Festival of Balloons Parade. Participants may join the Library staff on the Fairview Avenue side of the Library Park at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4 to participate. No registration is required for the parade. Strollers, scooters and wagons are welcome. We also encourage all marchers to bring sunscreen and water bottles. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
For adults, the Library offers All Abilities Club (AAC) and the Walk ‘N Talk Book Club. AAC, for adults with disabilities, will meet in the Library Community Room at 1115 El Centro Street at 10:00 a.m. on June 13, July 11, and August 8. No registration is required. The Walk ‘N Talk Book Club will meet at 9:00 a.m. on June 11, July 9, and August 13 on Oxley Street in front of the library. Participants for the Walk ‘N Talk Book Club must sign up in advance at www.southpasadenaca.gov/register.
Summer reading is not just fun, it is important. Research has shown that students who read at least 20 minutes daily have a clear literacy advantage over children and teens that read less or don’t read at all. The Summer Reading Program stops the summer learning slide and strengthens children’s and teens’ literacy advantage.
Upon request made no later than four (4) business days before the event, the City will provide a reasonable accommodation for a qualified person with a disability to have equal access to the event. Please call (626) 403-7431 or fill out the City’s request form available at www.southpasadenaca.gov/ADA and email the form to Human Resources at HR@southpasadenaca.gov.
About the City of South Pasadena
The City of South Pasadena is a charming community, situated only six miles from downtown Los Angeles. Called the City of Trees, the area is known for its stunning homes, unique small businesses, and top-quality schools. South Pasadena’s diverse population of about 25,000 occupies a mere 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides on the west side of the San Gabriel Valley. This small-town atmosphere makes South Pasadena one of California's most desirable locations.
For more information about the City of South Pasadena, visit www.southpasadenaca.gov. Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
About the South Pasadena Public Library
The South Pasadena Public Library is located at 1100 Oxley Street in South Pasadena. Visit the Library website at www.southpasadenaca.gov/library for information about services and programs. The Library is open Monday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
About the Summer Reading Program Sponsors
This program is presented by the South Pasadena Public Library with generous support from the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, Inc. Additional program sponsors include art/work/place, Burden of Proof, Canoe House / Shakers, Clean Bubbles Laundromat, Cool Girl Pizza, Hodis Learning & Music, Kim’s Hapkido, My Gym Pasadena, and South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy.
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