Summer with your PVD Libraries2025
- Youth in grades K to 12 can join our “Summer with your PVD Libraries” challenge to read, make, explore and learn at your local Providence libraries!
- The summer reading challenge begins June 22 and ends August 17. Stop in to sign-up and get your game board, or play online with Beanstack. Track your reading and activities to be entered into weekly raffles.
- Visit the libraries, including the mobile library in the parks, for book giveaways, performances, and fun activities, and to learn about interesting places around the city to visit for free. Log your library activities in Beanstack to earn additional badges and raffle tickets.
- You can also download and print the booklet to track your activities and reading minutes. Visit your PVD library for assistance with logging your activities and reading minutes and to be entered into the raffles.
Downloads
PVD Summer Partner Sites
All of these partners provide free admission/services every day or on specific days. Please click on their logo to visit their websites for more information.
Visit our newly renovated and reimagined library on Empire Street where we are ready to welcome you. We have spaces to create, collaborate, discover and, of course, read! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Join us this summer at the Community Libraries of Providence for daily fun, great books, and special free performances! Earn prizes for reading 20 minutes every day.
Brown University Libraries foster and guide the creation, acquisition, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge at Brown and beyond in a spirit of free and open inquiry. Together with our partners across the Brown University campus, we invite you and your families to enjoy weekly programs this summer and beyond.
As leaders in conservation and animal care, we create engaging experiences that empower guests to join us in conserving wildlife and wild places.
We have developed links to all kinds of fun learning activities and games. Simply click on the tab, look for the link for the grade level your child will be entering in September and explore the options available to you and your child throughout the summer. Start with one activity a day to start and see where it goes from there!
A partnership between the Mayor’s Office, Providence Healthy Communities, Providence Parks, Providence Recreation, Providence Public Schools, and Providence Arts, Culture and Tourism increasing access to high quality, affordable, safe, educational, creative summer programs for students in Providence.
Free summer programs include Providence PlayCorps engaging kids in Joslin, Bucklin, General St, Billy Taylor, Harriet & Sayles, Wallace St and Father Lennon/Camden Ave parks; Storytimes to Inspire; Smaller Sights and Sounds performances, and Fitness in the Parks! Look for our new Little Libraries in selected parks.
Teams of trained play facilitators are a consistent presence at neighborhood parks throughout Providence. They provide activities and materials to engage neighborhood children in physically active play, improving the overall safety of the parks while encouraging more children to take advantage of free, nutritious summer meals. By working in neighborhood parks, PlayCorps fills the gap when school is out to ensure that Providence youth are safe, active, fed, and healthy over the summer.
The John Brown House is one of the oldest and grandest houses in Providence. Come and experience what life was like in the 18th century, and learn how Providence became the city that it is
Your neighborhood farmers markets are the best place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Stop by the Welcome Table to stamp your passport and complete a scavenger hunt as you learn about the parts of a plant!
The RISD Museum is southeastern New England's only comprehensive museum of art. Stop by the lobby desk and pick up a special activity guide to explore the museum through stories, games, and more.
Located in Roger Williams Park, the Museum of Natural History is Rhode Island’s only natural history museum and is home to the state’s only public planetarium. First Saturday of the month is free admission for Providence residents.
Visit the State House in person or virtually! We have created several short videos (3-10 minutes) about the State House and each of its beautiful rooms. Watch one, or watch them all.
Site Locations
Libraries
Providence Public Library
Location Category: Libraries
Fox Point Community Library
Location Category: Libraries
Knight Memorial Library
Location Category: Libraries
Mt. Pleasant Library
Location Category: Libraries
Rochambeau Library
Location Category: Libraries
Smith Hill Library
Location Category: Libraries
South Providence Library
Location Category: Libraries
Wanskuck Library
Location Category: Libraries
Washington Park Library
Location Category: Libraries
Olneyville Library
Location Category: Libraries
Rhode Island State House and Library
Location Category: Libraries
Brown University Library
Location Category: Libraries
Parks
Water Parks & Pools
Farmer's Markets
Cultural Attractions
Schools
Online Learning Activities
We have developed links to all kinds of fun learning activities and games. Simply click on the tab, look for the link for the grade level your child will be entering in September and explore the options available to you and your child throughout the summer. Start with one activity a day to start and see where it goes from there!
Summer Sponsors
A special thank you to the following for their support of Summer with your PVD Libraries.
Summer with your PVD Libraries program was made available in part due to the kindness of an inspirational man, Mr. J. Renn Olenn, as well as the Mary Dexter Chafee Fund and the Edwin S. Soforenko Foundation. The statewide Rhode Island Summer Reading Program is supported by the RI Office of Library and Information Services, with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.