The Summer Reading Program – Read-A-Palooza 2026 – finished strong July 31 after nine weeks of discovering stories, enjoying performances, and completing activities, according to the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries.

Since June 1, readers logged 44,458 days of reading; completed nearly 6,000 activities; and achieved 2,533 Super Sunshine Awards, a special recognition for kids age 12 and under for reading all seven days in a week.

The Summer Reading Program is an annual literacy tradition at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, with a goal of connecting readers of all ages with local events and activities, and making reading more rewarding through earning prizes.

Registration increased by 730 participants from last year, with multiple logging options and first-time performers keeping this longtime program fresh and exciting.

This summer’s program goal focused on developing a sustainable, lifelong reading habit by logging days of reading instead of minutes or books read, thus encouraging continuous participation throughout the summer.

The additional activity challenge served as an incentive for families to engage with the community in new ways.

“It was great to hear the positive responses from families to the changes in the program,” said Kaeley Christensen, children’s librarian. “Patrons mentioned it was simpler to track, and they enjoyed the activity lists that gave them new ideas for summer adventures.”

Free events held during the Summer Reading Program at each of the system’s libraries included hula shows, science lessons, outdoor concerts, movie screenings, and reptile visits.

Those events took place in June and July at the Goleta Community Center, Buellton Library, and Solvang Library.

“Patrons of all ages could find something to do at one of our libraries almost every day, where opportunities to learn and connect abounded throughout the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valleys,” organizers said.
 
Read-A-Palooza 2026 owes much of its success to its team of teen volunteers, who contributed 950 hours of community service this summer, library officials said.

The youth volunteers supported staff in assisting with special events; awarding prizes to participants and reporting on their reading; taking photos; and interacting with families during shows.

The library thanks the local sponsors whose donations helped participants meet and exceed their reading goals.

“A special note of gratitude goes out to the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, Friends of the Buellton Library, and Friends of the Library of the Santa Ynez Valley, whose significant support funded prize incentives and special events all summer long,” officials said.

Patrons at GVL Express have until Friday, Aug. 7 to redeem their tickets for the Grand Prize Drawings.