Reading Programs & Challenges
Whether you're a young reader exploring new worlds or an adult seeking literary enrichment, VBPL fosters a love for books while encouraging community participation and personal growth.
Reading Programs & Challenges
Battle of the Books: Adult Edition
In 2025 VBPL will offer its inaugural Battle of the Books competition for adults. Read great books and have fun competing with teammates for the chance to win prizes.
2026 Adult Reading Challenge
Choose your own reading adventure with three goal options. Challenge yourself to read 12, 24, or 52 books and earn a canvas bag, exclusive reading lists, and staff recommendations throughout the year. Complete 12 optional reading prompts to earn a Certified Bookworm digital badge.
- Registration and reading logs open Jan. 1, and the program runs Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026.
- 2025 prize mugs will be available for pickup while supplies last through Jan. 15, 2026
- Printable logs are available.
Read 100 Books Before You Graduate
Take on the challenge to read 100 books before you graduate from high school. Read what you want, when you want. Track your progress, connect with other teen readers, and earn prizes along the way.
No pressure. No required reading list. Just you and your next book.
Summer Learning Adventure
The Summer Learning Adventure will focus on helping children develop a love of reading and support continued reading over the summer to combat summer reading loss.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
What is the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge?
This library program encourages all Virginia Beach families and caregivers to read at least 1,000 books with their young children before they enter kindergarten.
Reading to preschool-age children builds vocabulary and helps develop the language skills they need for kindergarten. In as little as 15 minutes a day, families can build the skills for future school and life success.
Who can participate?
Preschool-age children (0-5 years old) with their families/caregivers.
How does 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge work?
- Register or sign in online – Visit your library to pick up a free badge book, while supplies last.
- Track your reading – Log the titles you read with your child and visit the library to receive a sticker each time you read 100 books.
- Read more books – Keep logging until you reach 1,000 books.
- Celebrate! – When you reach 1,000 books, visit the library to receive your book bag and a free book of your choice to keep!
Tips:
Count any books that are read to your child, no matter who reads the books. Children learn through repetition - you can read the same book multiple times. Books read at storytime count, too. Learn about storytimes.
VBPL Reading Programs
Find out more about our annual Battle of the Books (for 5th graders and middle school students) and Summer Reading Challenge (for children ages 0 through grade 8). Even our youngest readers (ages birth to five) can participate in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program (see Kids tab above).
In accordance with the City of Virginia Beach’s Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability Policy, customers may request reasonable accommodation for programs. Requests must be made directly to the branch manager at the time of program registration, but no later than 48 hours before a scheduled event. View our Accessible Resources and Services page for additional information.