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SPL Reading Corner: Home

Resources for patrons to find their next read!

The Schertz Public Library has a core collection of materials and resources in many different formats that support lifelong learning, education, and leisure activities. You will find an abundance of reader advisory websites, book clubs, book reviews and other online resources that all readers will find exciting!

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Library Reading Challenges

Extreme Book Nerd Challenge

This year-long reading challenge is all about reading outside your comfort zone, diving into new genres, and picking up books you’d never normally choose. Time to expand your reading horizons and have some fun along the way! 

2025 Information

  • Sign up online or in person starting February 1, 2025.
  • Match the books you read to the reading categories.
  • Log your books (title and author) on your reading log.
  • Complete your reading log on or before January 31, 2026.

2025 Reading Logs

2025 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge (Adult) is for readers ages 13 and older.
2025 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge (Youth) is for readers ages 5 to 12.

Prize Levels

  • Reader's Dozen: 13 Books Completed - Car Magnet
  • Book Nerd: 25 Books Completed - Pocket Tee
  • Extreme Book Nerd: 52 Books Completed - Hoodie

Rules of the Challenge

  • There are 3 levels this year: Readers’ Dozen (13 categories), Book Nerd (25 categories), and Extreme Book Nerd (52 categories).
  • The challenge runs February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026.
  • All books you read for the challenge must be recorded on your reading log.
  • To earn the prize for the completed Book Nerd level, return your reading log to a staff desk. The deadline for reporting completion January 31, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
  • Books you read for other programs and book clubs (e.g., summer or winter reading, book clubs, school assignments) can count toward this challenge if they fit into one of the categories and you finish reading them by January 31, 2026.
  • You cannot use the same book for multiple categories.
  • Prizes are not cumulative; only one prize per patron. Please be sure to indicate the prize level you completed and include sizing information, if needed.

Finishers

To claim your prize, bring your completed reading log to a staff desk at the Schertz Public Library OR email a copy of your completed reading log to librarian@schertz.com. Be sure to include your name and contact information on the reading log, so we can contact you when prizes arrive. Prizes are not cumulative; limit one prize per person. You earn the prize for the level you reach. Prizes must be picked up in person by you or the person(s) you specify at completion. We do not ship prizes. Once notified that prizes are available for pick up; you will have one month to claim your prize unless you have made special arrangements with the library. If you are unable to pick up in the designated time frame please email us.

The Schertz Public Library & the Schertz-Cibolo-Selma Lions Club have partnered to offer an early literacy initiative called 1,000 Books before Kindergarten. This project encourages parents to read aloud at least 1,000 books with their children before they enter school.

How This Program Works

  1. Enroll your child in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program and receive a tote bag and the bookmark to track your first 100 books.
  2. After the first 100 books read, take your bookmark to the Children’s Information Desk to receive a book as a reward.
  3. For every 100 books read together, your child will earn a sticker.
  4. After 500 books, they’ll earn another book to add to their collection.
  5. Once they complete the full 1,000-book challenge, they’ll receive one final book to celebrate their achievement!

You may be asking yourself, “How will I read 1,000 books to my child?” One thousand is a big number; however, when you start breaking that number down over five years, or even one year, the task isn’t that overwhelming. If you would take the full five years to complete this program, you could read one book every other day and read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. If you would break this down over one year, that would be about three books a day. This small time commitment is well worth the advantage you will be giving your child and the memories that you will form spending time with them.

Suggestions

  1. Have fun! Reading together should never be a chore.
  2. Take every chance you have to read with your children, tell and talk about stories, say nursery rhymes, and sing songs.
  3. Expose your children to a variety of different types of stories and vocabulary. It is completely normal and expected for children, especially very young children, to have their favorite books that they want to hear over and over again. When you have the opportunity, introduce new stories so that your child has a chance to experience and hear as many new words and concepts as possible.
  4. Children learn best when they are in a good mood, so read with your child when the experience will be the most pleasurable for both of you.
  5. Visit the library often. Discover new books and participate in storytime and other children’s programming.

May 31 - August 2, 2025

Our 2025 theme, Color Our World, celebrates the beauty of artistic expression in all its forms—inviting everyone to read, create, and connect this summer. This program is open to all ages.

Read

Read 6 books or for 6 hours. You can read anything you want, from books to magazines to audiobooks. Color a book for each book read, or for each hour read.

Create

Make 6 masterpieces of your choice. Try out photography, play a musical instrument, write in a journal—the world is your canvas! Color a paint palette circle for each thing you create.*

Connect

Make 6 connections. You can write a letter to a friend, volunteer your time, learn a new skill—make the world brighter with each new connection you make! For each connection, color in a cloud in the reading log.* 

*1 hour of reading can be substituted for any create or connect category. Just color in a book for each hour substituted in the 'Reading Substitutions' shelf on the reading log.

Completion

Bring your completed experience log to the library by Saturday, August 2, no later than 6 PM. Email a photo or scan your completed log to librarian@schertz.com if you are unable to get to the library before August 2nd.

Summer Reading T-Shirt 

After completing the experience log and the program, bring it to the library to pick up your summer reading experience t-shirt (while supplies last). 

Winter Reading Challenge 26

Warm up this winter with the Schertz Public Library’s annual Winter Reading Challenge! Set your own daily reading goal, track your progress, and earn a fun prize when you complete the challenge. This year’s cozy theme is all about curling up with great stories and celebrating reading together as a community. 

2026 WINTER READING CHALLENGE: SSSNUGGLE UP WITH A GOOD BOOK

Program Dates: Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Saturday, January 31, 2026

Registration Dates: Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Monday, January 12, 2026

How It Works:

  1. Register in-person or use our online form. The last day to register is Monday, January 12, 2026. 

  2. Print or pick up your reading log at the Library once you’ve registered.

  3. Set your personal daily reading goal – this can be your choice of:

    • Number of minutes

    • Number of pages

    • Number of books or chapters

    • Reading with family or a friend

  4. Track your progress: Each time you meet your daily goal, color or mark one image on your reading log.

  5. Once you’ve completed your goal 20 times, turn in your reading log to the Library or email it to librarian@schertz.com.The last day to submit your completed reading log is Saturday, January 31, 2026.

  6. Collect your prize! Each participant who completes the challenge will receive a Mini Paint-by-Number Kit (while supplies last).