WHAT IS THE SUMMER GAME?
Since as far back as the 1940s, the Ann Arbor Public Library had an annual summer reading program for kids—encouraging children to continue reading over the summer break. In 1960 the theme was Highway to Alaska. In 1952 it was Flight to Mystery Island. Who could forget 1954’s Space Ship to the Moon?
Ten years ago that all changed. The modern Summer Game was born. Today, the classic summer reading program of old also includes a puzzle-filled spectacular for all ages. The Summer Game breaks down into three general areas of play:
3 WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER GAME
The Classic Summer Reading Game
Kids, teens, and adults can complete the classic Summer Reading Game by reading or listening to 10 ANYTHINGS (books, podcasts, magazines, articles, or pieces of content) to earn Summer Game points and more. Kids and teens who log 10 anythings will receive 2,000 Summer Game points (for SG prizes) and a book prize token for a free book! Adults will get 2,000 points and a bonus code they can use for the Summer Game shop (more on this later!). Get your reading card for kids, teens, and adults HERE---> DOWNLOAD EDITABLE READING CARD
The Summer Game: Explorer Series
Explore parks, Library branches, and sites across the city, or virtually attend AADL.TV events to find Summer Game codes. Redeem those codes for points, special badges, and prizes galore.
The Summer Game: Online Codes
Hidden in the AADL’s vast online catalog and the general internet are hundreds of Summer Gamer codes worth thousands of points, plus the everlasting glory and satisfaction that comes with finding them. Throughout the summer, we’ll release a series of themed online challenges, which can be solved with savvy searches of our catalog and the web. Discover these secret codes, unlock points (which can be redeemed for AADL prizes) and earn special badges throughout the summer.
HOW TO GET STARTED
- Sign up for the Summer Game using your existing AADL account. If you don't have a Library card, you can still create a Summer Game account and play along. Parents can add kids and teens to their Summer Game profiles as well.
- You can also text NEWPLAYER to 734-327-4200 to create a profile and play via text (messaging and data rates may apply).
- Download your Classic Summer Reading Game card to play the Classic Summer Reading Game or log your 10 anythings at play.aadl.org as you complete the challenge, or fill out the form, take a picture and tag us on social media (or email sgcards@aadl.org)
- Get your feet wet by testing your brain and solving one of our one-star difficulty web search badges. Decipher the clues and use AADL's catalog search to find game codes. Find all five and earn the badge!
- Try completing one of our Ann Arbor Explorer Badges.
1,001 WAYS TO EARN SUMMER GAME POINTS
- Once you have a Summer Game profile, you can earn points by using the Library in all sorts of ways.
- Find codes on the outside of AADL buildings, on the sides of AAATA buses, in ads, on billboards, or in online AADL.TV events.
- Solve online challenges by searching the AADL catalog and the internet for codes—and get bonus points for completing badge series!
- Finish the Classic Summer Reading Game for 2,000 points.4) Read, watch, or listen to media for 50 points per day. Bonuses for the more days you log!5) Write a review of any item in our catalog for 100 points.6) Rate items in our catalog (one to five stars) for 10 points per rating.7) Points-O-Matic! Help the AADL Archives and our collection of Ann Arbor newspaper microfilm, or help the AADL collections team with its series data in the Points-O-Matic News Sprinter and Points-O-Matic Super Serializer. You can also earn points for reviewing reviews for items in our collection with the Points-O-Matic Review Reviewer.8) Solve puzzles and earn points from the Bummer Game—our Summer Game offshoot launched during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
HOW TO EARN AMAZING PRIZES
Prizes can be earned in two ways: through the Classic Summer Reading Game and through redeeming Summer Game points.
The Classic Summer Reading Game
Kids and teens who finish and log 10 anythings receive a book token good for a free book courtesy of the Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library.
Summer Game Points
Summer Game points can be used to redeem dozens of prizes in the Summer Game Shop, which opens in mid July. Prizes in the 2020 Summer Game Shop are available for anywhere from 2,000 to 25,000 points, and points from previous Summer Games can also be used on 2020 prizes! There is a limit of four prizes per player.
NEED HELP OR HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, comments, or have trouble with any part of the Summer Game:
- Email askus@aadl.org
- Text or call 734-327-4200
- Visit the contact us page on AADL.org
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Looking for even more summer reading fun? Be sure to check out our Summer Reading Programs Guide!
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