1. Does it cost anything to register for summer reading?
Not a dime! The Summer Reading program is absolutely free to join. All you have to do to be a part of it is fill out a registration slip completely and turn it into the Summer Reading Desk when you come in. If you lose the one you get from school we have plenty more at the library.

2. We missed the first day of registration! Is it too late to sign up?
Not at all. In fact, you can register ANY time during the summer.

3. Do I have to have a library card to register?
No. However, if you would like to check out materials from the Upper Merion Township Library while you’re here, make sure you or your parent has a library card - even if it’s from another library.

4. How often do I have to come to record the number of books/hours I’ve read?
If you have a tough time getting into the library because of a busy schedule, don’t worry! Once you’ve registered and receive your Summer Reading gear you can record your total number of books/hours on the very last day of Summer Reading if you want. However, we do encourage you to come more frequently than that to see what new prizes and programs we’re offering each week. Also be sure to check out our Upcoming Events.

5. My child will be entering Pre-K next year. Can I still register them for the program?
Unfortunately, no. Although we do love our little readers and have numerous storyhours for you to join, our Summer Reading program is geared more towards those children who are entering Kindergarten through 8th grade. We look forward to welcoming you next year as a Kindergarten student!

6. Are there lists of books the kids are required to read?
While we do put out recommended reading lists for each grade, we do not require you to read any of them. You also do not have to read books that only come from the UM library – any books will do! Just please try to read books that are appropriate for your age level and reading skill – remember this is meant to be a fun way to challenge yourself over the summer!

7. Do I need to sign up for the evening programs you offer to go along with summer reading?
For most of them, no. Once you are registered for the Summer Reading program you are welcome to come and enjoy all the exciting events we have planned. There may be one or two that require you to sign up for a spot, so just ask at the Summer Reading Desk if you are not sure. Younger siblings who are not eligible for the program yet are also welcome, but we ask that they please sit on Mom or Dad’s lap during the presentations to avoid disruption.

8. When will readers receive the medals they’ve earned?
At the end of the next school year. The UM Library staff come around to all the UM schools, as well as MDP, to present the medals to readers in a special assembly.

9. I don’t attend an Upper Merion school. How will I receive my medal?
For those of you who do not attend an Upper Merion school we do have a special ceremony at the Upper Merion Township Library, again, at the end of the next school year. You'll receive an invitation when the date gets closer!

10. Now that I am beginning to read chapter books I can choose to earn my gold medal by recording the number of hours I read. How exactly do the time cards work?
Because chapter books usually take a long time to read it’s hard to read the number required to earn your gold medal. That’s why you can choose to go for your gold medal by recording the number of hours you read instead. That way, if you only end up reading four books over the course of a summer, you can still qualify to receive a medal. Time cards have rows of the number 30 on them. For every ½ hour you read simply cross off or circle a 30. Eight hours equals a bronze medal, sixteen hours equals a silver medal, and twenty-four or more hours equals a gold. We know it sounds like a lot, but remember you have the whole summer to fill out your time card! Also, we ask you to write down the titles of the books that you read and show them to the Summer Reading Clerk because we keep a running total of how many books everyone has read over the course of the summer for statistical purposes.