San Francisco Public Library’s All-Ages Summer Challenge Returns
SAN FRANCISCO, MAY 26, 2026 — Starting June 1 through August 31, San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) invites all of San Francisco once more to take part in its annual Summer Stride challenge.
In 2025, Summer Stride saw over 20,000 San Franciscans complete the challenge, with nearly 90% of participants responding that their summer reading increased as a result of the program. Through Summer Stride, SFPL encourages all ages to complete 20 hours of reading, audiobook listening and Library activities to foster literacy, connect communities and promote a life-long love of reading, learning and exploring. Participants can record their progress via Beanstack or through the Summer Stride activity tracker, available at any SFPL location. Adults can additionally complete the challenge with activities from the new Adult Summer Challenge card.
This year, attend a summer full of free, fun and diverse programming to add hours to your tracker. Activities range from grilled cheese socials to circus lessons; long-exposure photography to summer craft clubs; and live musical performances across all genres. Another highlight is Library Day at the New Farm, an enviromentalist-focused celebration featuring live music by local Bay Beats artists, walking tours through Heron’s Head Park and crafts with Creative Mutual Aid.
Summer Stride completionists are welcome to SFPL’s signature limited edition tote, designed by this year’s featured (and first South Asian) artist, celebrated author and illustrator Nidhi Chanani. Chanani’s award-winning works include What Will My Story Be?, the Super Boba Café series, I Will Be Fierce, Binny’s Diwali, Quiet Karima and the Shark Princess series.
“I'm so honored to celebrate two things I love dearly: San Francisco and the Library,” said Chanani. “Since I was a young reader, I’ve participated in library summer reading programs. Creating art to delight and engage readers with the San Francisco Public Library is a dream come true. The illustration for the tote is my imagination at play in San Francisco: the iconic cable car and a group of animal friends, all found in San Francisco, touring the City after a visit to the Library.”
On June 20, meet Chanani and fellow authors Dashka Slater, Marcus Ewert and Angela Dalton, as well as Drag Laureate Per Sia, to celebrate Library Day at the Yerba Buena Gardens with a story hour, zine-making, book giveaways, a free carousel ride and more. On June 23, enjoy a storytime from Chanani as she reads her picture books aloud at John McLaren Redwood Grove Playground; on July 19 and August 16, attend Chanani's special art workshop as part of Family Day at SFMOMA.
Additionally, explore San Francisco or visit familiar favorite locales as the SummerMobile makes its return. From June 8 through August 31, SFPL bookmobiles are making weekly stops at four locations across the City: Sunset Dunes (Tuesdays, 2–4 p.m.), Presidio Tunnel Tops (Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.), Glen Canyon Park (Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.) and JFK Promenade (Mondays, 4–7 p.m. through September 28).
For more information, including the full Summer Stride programming schedule, visit sfpl.org/summer-stride-2026.
About San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco Public Library connects our diverse communities to learning, opportunities and each other. The library system is made up of 27 neighborhood branches, the San Francisco Main Library at Civic Center and four bookmobiles.
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Summer Stride Highlights
All-Ages
| Date | Time | Location | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1 | 3:30–5 p.m. | Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of California | Marina Branch |
| June 6 | 10 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 2 p.m. | Summer Stride Kick-Off Parties | Bernal Heights Branch; Richmond Branch; Portola Branch |
| June 12 | 1:30–2:15 p.m. | Japanese Taiko Drumming with Kristy "Aki" Oshiro | Visitacion Valley Branch |
| July 11 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Library Day at the New Farm | The New Farm, 10 Cargo Way |
| July 11 | 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | San Francisco Beekeeper's Association | Ocean View Branch |
Youth
| Date | Time | Program | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 15 | 3–4 p.m. | Grilled Cheese and Conversation | Glen Park Branch |
| June 18 | 3–4 p.m. | Mosaics with Ali Blum | Ingleside Branch |
| July 23 | 3–4 p.m. | Join the Circus with Prescott Circus Theatre | Ocean View Branch |
| Aug. 6 | 12:15–12:45 p.m. | Music is First! Band | Richmond Branch |
| Aug. 7 | 1–2 p.m. | Bibimbap Remix Pop-Up with June Jo Lee | Bayview Branch |
Adult
| Date | Time | Program | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 20 | 3–5 p.m. | Nicole Wong: The Mahjong Project | Bernal Heights Branch |
| July 9 | 5–6 p.m. | Jazz for People Who Hate Jazz | Bayview Branch |
| July 9 | 5:45–7:15 p.m. | West Portal Adults' Summer Craft Club | Parkside Branch |
| July 17 | 4–5 p.m. | Inspired by SFMOMA: Creative Play with Craft Joy | Ocean View Branch |
| July 24 | 3–4:30 p.m. | The Art of Light Writing Photography | Main Library |