ReadSquared Reading Program

Adult Plant a Seed, Read

This program is designed for readers ages 18 and over! Log the time you spend reading and write book reviews to earn points that you can redeem for virtual raffle entries to win gift cards to great local businesses. This year's prizes are supported by the generosity of the Friends of the Ames Free Library.

Program runs from June 25 to August 31.

Teen 2026 Plant a Seed, Read

This program is designed for teens age 12 to 18! Log the time you spend reading and write book reviews to earn points that you can turn into virtual raffle entries for cool prizes! Raffles will be drawn at the end of the summer.

Program runs from June 25 to August 31.

Kids 2026 Plant a Seed, Read

This summer, kids are invited to Plant a Seed, Read!

Once you've registered, you will have a Welcome Pack to pick up in the Children's Room. This pack will include a starter pack and instructions for the Reading Dragons & Friends card game, a chain for your beads, and a Book Buck which can be used to purchase used books from the library book sale cart or at the Friends of the Library Book Store at Queset House (open Monday through Saturday from 1:00 PM until the library closes).

Over the course of the summer, log the minutes you read every day as you grow into a bigger reader! Each minute you read is equal to one point. For every 60 minutes of reading you log, you can purchase either a Mystery Bead or a Reading Dragons & Friends card in the ReadSquared Prize Store. Keep an eye out for announcements about the new styles of cards we add over the course of the summer!

This program runs from June 25, 2026 through August 31, 2026.

Happy reading!

Pre-Readers Bingo 2026 Plant a Seed, Read

Introducing... Rubber Ducky Club Bingo!

This program is designed for children ages 0 to 4 to help develop early literacy skills and encourage life-long reading habits

WHO? Rubber Ducky Club Bingo is for the library’s youngest patrons! Babies, toddlers, and pre-readers are welcome to participate.

WHAT? Rubber Ducky Club Bingo is a way for our buddies who aren’t quite reading yet to participate in our Summer Reading Incentive Program! (*Note: children may only participate in one program.)

HOW? Every month, a new bingo board will be available here on ReadSquared full of early literacy activities for you and your little one to complete together. You may complete ONE single bingo per month (3 in a row) to win a rubber ducky prize. Complete the WHOLE CARD to earn a special, bigger ducky each month!

WHY? The activities created for Rubber Ducky Club Bingo are meant to help your child develop the five early literacy practices: READING, TALKING, SINGING, WRITING, and PLAYING. They’ll help your little one increase vocabulary, learn to love books, practice fine motor skills, learn about rhyme and rhythm, and think symbolically and learn about narrative sequencing through dramatic play!

1,000 Books [PreK]

Reading to your child is the most powerful way to boost his or her brain power, and jumpstart future learning! 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a fun, free way to start your child on the path to success!