As we transition into the final chapter of our 2026 Summer Reading adventure, we’re thrilled to share a “Plant a Seed, READ” update with you!
Our community continues to amaze us every day with an incredible passion for reading. We currently have 3,911 registered participants. That is just shy of our 2025 total with half a month still to go! It is truly amazing to see so many readers, reading! We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone who participated in the challenge during our finale week.
2026 also marked the debut of our first community bonus challenge, and we are blooming right on schedule! This year, every minute you spend reading is nurtured into charitable donations through Heifer International. Your efforts are providing life-changing resources like baby chicks, seeds, and fresh water to families in need around the world.
Together, the Algonquin area has read over 2.4 million minutes, translating to more than $24,000 in impact. We are so close to our ultimate goal of $25,000! Can you help us provide that final push to reach 4,000 readers and help exceed our community reading goal?
Another element of the Reading Challenge was the community garden, where staff and families worked together to grow and maintain vegetables, flowers, and herbs throughout the summer. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors for helping our community garden sprout: The Home Depot, Platt Hill Nursery, Hamilton Farms, and Keller Williams Realty. The garden looks fantastic!
“Plant a Seed, READ” continues through July 31, 2026, and finishers can earn fun prizes along the way. The final prize, an exclusive t-shirt featuring original art from our team, is proving to be one of our most popular rewards yet. It’s not too late to start your own reading journey! Drop by either library location or visit us online to get started today.
Finally, a mention of our sponsors. They truly helped Summer Reading bloom. Thank you Algonquin Recreation, Amuzgo, Banushi’s, Bricks & Minifigs, Burger King, Churros Mi Amor, Churros Y Chocolate, Classic Cinemas, Culvers, Dolphin Swimclub, Dundee Township Park District, Harmon Family, Kane County Cougars, Kona Ice, Kuipers Family Farm, Lucky Strike, McAlister’s, McDonalds, McHenry County Fair, Modern Age Comics, Papa Johns, Portillo’s, Raising Cane’s, Randall Oaks Zoo, Riverbottom Ice Cream, Co, Sugar & Spice, Tom’s Farm Market, and Xtreme Wheels. Your support has been instrumental in making this season a success.
