Summer Break Baltimore FAQ

Summer Break Baltimore is a fun, free program for all ages that encourages literacy and learning in our community.

Summer Break Baltimore takes place May 31, 2025 through August 30, 2025 with a fun kickoff event at branches across the city on May 31.

Beginning May 31, stop by your nearest Pratt Library location to register for Summer Break Baltimore. Receive a Summer Break Baltimore t-shirt when you register, while supplies and sizes last. You can also register online, just remember to stop by a Pratt Library branch to collect your t-shirt and book(s).

Visit the library every month in June, July, and August to pick up your free book. Books must be collected within their respective months (June book in June; July book in July; August book in August).

Read books and attend library programs to be entered into monthly prize drawings for tickets to local experiences, prize packs, and more. Stop by your nearest Pratt Library location to redeem your raffle tickets each time you read a book or attend a program. You must be registered for Summer Break Baltimore to win a prize.

1 book read = 1 entry into the monthly prize drawings

1 program attended = 1 entry into the monthly prize drawings

Summer Break Baltimore is open to all, but is intended for Baltimore City residents and Pratt Library customers.

Beginning on May 31, customers can sign up at any Library location. You can also register online beginning on May 31, just remember to stop by a Pratt Library branch to collect your t-shirt and book(s). 

No, but it's a great opportunity to sign up for one!

Your donations keep Summer Break Baltimore and other Library programs free and accessible for everyone in our community! More information about giving is available online at prattlibrary.org/summer.

Yes!

No, but we recommend a parent or guardian be present at registration for any child under the age of 13.

Yes! You will have a chance to choose your book from the available selection each month.

As many or as few as you like. Just attend a program and/or visit your local branch and tell a staff member how many books you read. You will receive a raffle ticket for each activity you completed. Place your tickets in the running for whichever prizes you like—the more activities you complete, the more entries you get!

This summer, there will be no online prize drawings. We encourage you to visit your local library to track your activities and enter into the prize drawings.

Read books and attend library programs to be entered into monthly prize drawings for tickets to local experiences, prize packs, and more. Stop by your nearest Pratt Library location to redeem your raffle tickets each time you read a book or attend a program. You can view the monthly prize selections online.

There will be no online prize drawings, and customers must come into the library to claim and enter their physical tickets into the drawings. 

1 book read = 1 entry into the monthly prize drawings

1 program attended = 1 entry into the monthly prize drawings

There are four prize drawings at each branch per month. The prizes we offer are based on our four age groups (0-5, 6-12, 13-17, and 18+), but customers are not limited to prizes intended for their age group (e.g. if you are a 16 year old, but want to enter into a 0-5 year old prize raffle for your cousin, you can do that!).

You must be registered for Summer Break Baltimore to win a prize.

Drawings will take place at the branches monthly on Tuesday July 1, Friday August 1, and Tuesday September 2.

This summer, we are not offering book menus, but we are still offering a great selection of titles for each age group. Head in to your local branch to see what’s available. Specific titles are not guaranteed and are first come, first served.

Visit your local branch beginning May 31 and choose from the titles available. Ask your librarian for help if you can’t choose!

Books are first come, first served. If we are out of a specific title there is a chance you may be able to find the book at another branch location, but we cannot guarantee availability for any one title.

Groups of 4 participants or less can register at their closest Pratt Library location. Groups of 5 participants or more must register online. Visit the Summer Break Groups page to learn more.