Ivy Tech Indy Library concludes first-ever summer reading program

The Ivy Tech Indianapolis Library and Tutoring department concluded its first-ever Summer Reading Challenge on August 25, launching what organizers hope will become another recurring library program that the campus community looks forward to each year.

The challenge invited students, faculty, and staff to complete a series of themed reading activities throughout the summer. Cheyenne Taylor, student service and programming librarian, developed the program with inspiration from the Library’s popular Pet Away Worry and Stress (PAWS), an established library program that brings therapy dogs to campus. Seeing how students and employees enthusiastically respond whenever the dogs arrive made her want to create more programs that generate that same sense of anticipation. 

“My main goal was to start another series of events that people could look forward to from the library,” Taylor said. “We have PAWS, and I see how many people get so excited every time it happens. I felt like we needed more fun that can get our campus excited.” 

An avid reader herself, Taylor found additional inspiration in the summer reading challenges offered by the Indianapolis Public Library and local bookstores. She believed a similar program could engage the Ivy Tech Indianapolis community while promoting literacy, encouraging reading beyond the classroom and creating connections among participants.

“I’ve had so many conversations about books with staff, faculty and students,” Taylor said. “When people read, they allow themselves to truly relax and sink into different experiences. You’re able to expand your horizons beyond what you know or what you’re familiar with.”

The challenge involved a series of themed reading activities throughout the summer. Challenges included reading a book set at the beach, selecting a book published in the reader’s birth year, and exploring an unfamiliar genre. 

Taylor initially prepared approximately 30 reading trackers for the challenge. Participation quickly surpassed her expectations, and she had to print more. In total, more than 40 people participated and completed the challenge, with faculty and staff making up the majority of the inaugural group.

“I expected some participation because I’ve had so many conversations with people about how much they love reading,” Taylor said. “But I didn’t expect to run out of trackers or for so many people to be talking about it out in the hallways!”

The unfamiliar-genre category proved especially popular among participants, Taylor shared, because it encouraged them to venture beyond their usual reading preferences or revisit genres they hadn't explored in years. The birth-year challenge was another favorite. Some participants selected books they remembered from childhood and reread them with their own children.

Participants’ enthusiasm also extended beyond the books themselves. Taylor frequently heard colleagues discussing their progress, searching for their next selection or collecting trackers for members of their teams. 

Prizes throughout the challenge included pencil pouches, notebooks, affirmation pencils, candy, book-themed stickers, a keychain, a stress-relief toy, and a commemorative bookmark recognizing readers as 2026 Summer Reading Challenge participants and winners.

“I think it brought back some of that childhood excitement of participating in a summer reading challenge at a school or public library,” Taylor said. “There were a lot of conversations about what people were excited to read, which challenges they were completing and how many they had left.”

The program also allowed Taylor to form new connections with colleagues she had previously only seen in passing. Some participants visited the library specifically to meet her after learning she organized the challenge.

One of Taylor’s favorite moments occurred when a staff member stopped by to submit her tracker early. Along with her completed bookmark, the participant brought a detailed journal she used to document the books she had read throughout the year. The journal included monthly pages, calendars, book titles, and images of book covers.

“It was so beautiful and detailed!” Taylor said. “The librarians and I were passing it around, oohing and aahing. It was incredible.”

The challenge concluded with a Welcome Week Reading Jubilee, where participants could bedazzle books, create bookmarks, and complete coloring pages and word searches. 

The enthusiastic response has affirmed Taylor’s plan to bring the challenge back next summer. She hopes to begin promoting it earlier so more students, including those who primarily take fall and spring courses, can participate and remain connected to the campus during the summer.

The challenge was held while the library operated outside its permanent location amid ongoing campus renovations for the Ivy Tech Indy: Reimagined for the Future. Taylor anticipates the program will continue to grow once the department is settled into its new space.

“Next summer is going to be on a whole other level!” Taylor said. “I can see this growing and becoming a big thing.”

Taylor encourages anyone who enjoys reading, wants to rediscover the habit, or hopes to explore books outside their usual interests to participate next year.

“Why not join in this collective effort and become further connected to the Ivy Tech community and its culture around reading?” Taylor said. “I hope everyone can join us next time!”

Students can follow the Ivy Tech Indianapolis Library and Tutoring Department on IvyLife to receive updates about the next Summer Reading Challenge and other upcoming programs and events.