Defiance Public Library System’s 2025 Summer Reading Challenge for all ages will take place June 1 – July 26 at the Defiance, Sherwood, and Hicksville libraries. This year’s theme, “Color Our World,” invites participants to embark on a journey of art and creativity, and celebrate the myriad ways in which art enriches our lives. All are invited to read for a chance to win prizes, or participate in one of the many free family activities taking place at the libraries!

For the kids:

Children can register for the challenge and pick up a reading/activity sheet at their home library beginning June 2 (or use the link above to print your own sheet at home), or register online at defiancelibrary.beanstack.org. If you prefer to participate online, consider downloading the Beanstack Tracker app from the Apple or Google Play stores for easy, on-the-go logging! All children who register will receive a free book, while supplies last, plus a necklace with a brag tag and beads. Finish the challenge online or return your completed sheet to any DPLS location to earn more beads and charms to add to your necklace, plus an entry into a grand prize drawing for tickets to King Island!

For teens & adults:

Use Beanstack to log the minutes you spend reading or listening to audiobooks to earn digital badges, plus a chance to win other prizes, including gift cards to local coffee & ice cream shops. We’re challenging you to read at least 480 minutes this summer for a chance to win one of our Grand Prizes. Read at least 60 minutes per week to be entered into our weekly prize drawings. Each DPLS location will have weekly winners and a special Grand Prize! Weekly winners will be announced each Monday beginning June 9. Our Grand Prize winners will be announced by August 1.

We’d like to send out a special thank you this year’s sponsors: The Friends of Defiance Public, Sherwood Branch, and Johnson Memorial libraries, Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District, the Ohio State Fair, Ohio State Parks, the Tin Caps, Panda Express, King’s Island, Defiance Co. 4H, Defiance Development & Visitors’ Bureau, and the Huber Opera House.

Click here to see the lunch menu! 

Free lunches for kids return this summer to Sherwood Branch Library! Lunch is available at the library Monday through Thursday from 12:15-12:45 p.m. beginning June 2 and ending July 24 to children ages 0-18, or adults 18-21 with a disability. Fun, free programs will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. on many days! (Please note, lunch will not be served Friday, as the library is closed, or on July 4). Thank you to our Summer Lunch sponsors,  including Mark Center Methodist Church, Hearts and Hands, Sherwood Methodist Church, St. John Lutheran Sherwood, Open Bible Church, and Son Rise Church.