North Douglas Library District's
Mildred Whipple Public Library
Link to the Past. . .Gateway to the Future
Summer Reading 2026
Plant A Seed, Read
Welcome to
Summer Reading!
Summer reading is a FREE program for all ages,
filled with themed events, crafts, and prizes. With both self-directed and in-person ways to participate,
there is something for everyone!
All summer reading materials are available
at the Mildred Whipple Library.
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Click the buttons below to go directly to a specific section.
Summer Reading Events
Summer Reading 2026 runs June 15 - August 15.
Click the image below to download a copy of the schedule.
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Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult or responsible older sibling
when visiting the library or attending library events.
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Events For All Ages
Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult or responsible older sibling.
Events are listed alphabetically, please see schedule for event dates.
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Kick Off Party @ Pass Creek Nursery: Celebrate the start of Summer Reading with a planting party at Pass Creek Nursery! Choose from a variety of plants & make your own 6-pack to take home. This event is free to attend, but space is limited to 30 families. Pre-registration at the library recommended.
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Family Night: You're invited! Join the Mildred Whipple Library for our 9th annual Family Night with FREE dinner, activities, and giveaways for the whole family.
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Free Community Meals: Meet your neighbors & enjoy free dinner at the Drain Civic Center! Made possible by North Douglas Betterment, the North Douglas Library District, & local volunteers & donations.
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Pool Party @ ND Memorial Pool: Celebrate the middle of summer with a pool party at the North Douglas Memorial Pool! This event is open to all ages, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration at the library recommended.
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Weekly All-Ages Events: Each Wednesday join the library for a Summer-Reading themed activity. Each week's activity is unique!
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Events For Tweens & Teens
Tween & Teen events are geared for participants in 6th through 12th grades.
Events are listed alphabetically, please see schedule for event dates.
Pre-registration at the library recommended.
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Family Night: You're invited! Join the Mildred Whipple Library for our 9th annual Family Night with FREE dinner, activities, and giveaways for the whole family.
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Free Community Meals: Meet your neighbors & enjoy free dinner at the Drain Civic Center! Made possible by North Douglas Betterment, the North Douglas Library District, & local volunteers & donations.
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Teen Sewing & Mending Workshop: Learn the basics of mending and beginning sewing techniques. Bring your own (freshly washed) garment to learn how to mend or alter it. We will explore both hand sewing and machine sewing on the library’s equipment. No prior experience needed: instruction and some practice materials provided.​​​
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Teen Tie Dye with Victoria: Our most requested teen event each year! Learn different tie dye techniques and make a one-of-a-kind tshirt creation to take home! All instruction and materials provided, no prior experience needed. Participants will be handling permanent dyes: please wear clothes able to withstand the tie dye creation process.
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Teen Zine Making Workshop: Learn the basics of zine-making in this hands-on session (including format and folding and mixed media techniques) and then use the materials provided to create your own zine on the topic of your choice. Participants will have the option to display their zine in the library.
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Events For Adults
Events for adults are geared for participants 18 and older.
Events are listed alphabetically, please see schedule for event dates.
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Family Night: You're invited! Join the Mildred Whipple Library for our 9th annual Family Night with FREE dinner, activities, and giveaways for the whole family.
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Free Community Meals: Meet your neighbors & enjoy free dinner at the Drain Civic Center! Made possible by North Douglas Betterment, the North Douglas Library District, & local volunteers & donations.
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Garden Club: Gardening topics and resources for all ages and skill levels! In June we'll have our annual Summer Plant Swap, followed by a Recipe Swap at our July meeting. We'll wrap up summer with a guest speaker in August to talk about soils (the foundation for any garden!).
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Gentle Exercise: A low/no impact gentle exercise and stretch class open to all fitness levels and abilities. This program is geared for adults, but ages 12+ are welcome. Please bring your own towel and mat or call ahead to have one provided by the library.
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YonDr Book Club: Join other members of book club for great books, lively discussions, & delicious snacks! In July we’ll discuss Dewey by Vicki Myron. August’s selection will be announced in June. YonDr Book Club meets in-person with a Zoom option. Please contact the library for a book club copy or for Zoom information.
How do I participate?
Who Can Participate?
Summer reading is FREE for all ages.
You do not need a library card to participate.
Participants are divided into four age groups:
1) Birth through Pre-K
2) Kindergarten through 5th grade
3) 6th through 12th grade
4) Adults
The Mildred Whipple Library offers programs, activities, and prizes for all age groups. To participate, please sign up at the Mildred Whipple Library between June 15 and August 7.
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Download your registration card below
(return to the Mildred Whipple Library to receive your sign up goodies):
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How Do I Play?
Free printed copies of the instruction booklet are available at the Mildred Whipple Library.
Download an extra copy of the instruction booklet here:
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Reading Adventures
PreK Participants: Track the approximate amount of time you read during the summer. Each completed space on your reading sheet equals 15 minutes of reading and equals earns 1 prize ticket.
K through 5th Grade Participants: Track the approximate amount of time you read during the summer. Each completed space on your reading sheet equals 1 hour of reading and earns 1 prize ticket.
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Teen and Adult Participants: Track the number of books you read and the approximate amount of time you read during the summer. Use the Book Tracker portion to track the titles you read and the Reading Hours portion to track time spent reading. Each completed circle represents 2 hours of reading. Earn 1 prize ticket for each book read and 1 prize ticket for each completed circle
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Reading sheets are available with each summer reading sign up packet.
If you need an additional sheet, download a copy below or ask during your next library visit:
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In-Person Events
Throughout summer the library offers both in-person and at-your-own pace events for all ages. All events are free to attend and include chances to win weekly prizes. Event dates are listed above and on our website calendar.
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Please note: While almost all of our events are available to patrons of any age,
"Teen" events are geared for participants in 6th through 12th grades
and “Adult” events are geared for participants 18 and older.
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How Can I Play If I Can't Come
To The Library?
1. Track your reading throughout the summer. Reading minutes can be turned in through 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 8, to be eligible for grand prizes.
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2. If you have internet access: Email a photo of your reading log to info@ndld.org to turn in your reading minutes for prize tickets.
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3. With a parent or guardian’s permission, sign up for the library’s monthly delivery program. Call (541-836-2648) or email (info@ndld.org) the library to request books, take-to-make craft kits (limited availability), and earn prize tickets. This program is open to anyone living within the North Douglas Library District boundaries. Library staff will need your guardian’s name, phone number, and delivery address. This is a contactless delivery, where items are dropped off at your front door and waiting library returns are picked up.
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2026 YonDr Reading Competition
Which community will read more this summer: Drain or Yoncalla?
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How it works:
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Both the Mildred Whipple Library (in Drain) and the Yoncalla Library will track hours read during Summer Reading in a friendly "competition".
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Reading progress is updated once a week and displayed for bot communities in each library. Visit either library to see how many hours both communities have read!
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All hours read from Monday, June 15, through Wednesday, July 29, go towards our friendly reading competition.
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How to Participate:
Make sure to turn in your reading sheet progress each week!
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Winning Community Prize:
To celebrate the winning community we’ll have a popcorn party at the Mildred Whipple Library (date TBD, a transportation option from Yoncalla will be available). Each library will also receive a plaque to display with the date, the community/library that won, & the total hours read for both communities.
"Spice of the Month" Club
* Due to limited supplies, this program is first-come, first-serve. *
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How it works:
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Each month this summer try something new or explore a favorite with Spice Club! Each take-home kit includes facts and history about the featured spice, herb, or blend, two suggested recipes, and a small, premeasured packet of the featured spice. Spice of the Month kits are free, but supplies are limited.
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How to Participate:
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Pick up that month’s kit on the second Saturday of each month (June 13, July 11, & August 8). Kits are first-come, first-serve and available until supplies run out.
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Enjoy!
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[OPTIONAL] Ready to give feedback? Let the library know how you used that month’s spice, suggestions for future selections, and if we should continue this program beyond Summer Reading.
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Monthly Themes:
To celebrate America 250 this summer we’ll be taking a BBQ spice rub tour through the United States. Each month (June, July, & August) we’ll focus on a different BBQ spice mix that has left a mark in American cuisine.
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Summer Reading Prizes
How Do I Earn Prize Tickets?
All ages can earn prize tickets over the course of the summer by
filling in their reading sheet and attending events.
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How to earn tickets:
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Earn 1 ticket for each space you fill in on your reading sheet.
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Earn 1 ticket for each in-person summer reading event you attend.
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How Do I Collect Prize Tickets?
Prize tickets earned each week go towards the weekly prize drawing.
All tickets earned over the summer are entered into the grand prize drawing for each age group.
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During in-person summer reading events: Make sure to stop by the prize ticket station and fill out your ticket for attending the event. You can also earn your reading sheet tickets (bring your reading sheet to the event).
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For reading sheets: Collect your prize tickets by visiting or contacting the library. Library staff will initial completed spaces on your reading sheet. We encourage all participants to turn in their reading sheet progress each week.​​
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If you cannot submit your reading sheet progress or reading minutes during library open hours, write your name on your reading sheet and email us a picture to info@ndld.org.
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Prize tickets can be earned up to 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 8, to be eligible for prizes.
Prize Pick Up
Prize winners will be contacted through the information provided on the sign up form. Participants do not need to be present to win.
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Weekly prize winners announced starting June 22, 2026.
Grand prize winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
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Summer Reading 2026 Prizes
Weekly Prizes:
Winners may choose an item from the weekly selection of "Plant a Seed, Read" themed shirts and swag items, North Douglas Memorial Pool passes, Country Cabin ice cream coupons, games, and books.
Weekly prize winners announced starting June 22.
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Grand Prizes:
Grand prize winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
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Youth:
2 winners will each receive a $50 gift certificate
to either Bookshop.org or a local bookstore
(winner's choice)
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Teens:
1 winner will receive a $50 gift certificate
to either Bookshop.org or a local bookstore
(winner's choice)
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Adults:
1 winner will receive a $50 gift certificate
to either Bookshop.org or a local bookstore
(winner's choice)
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Thank you to all of our generous sponsors!
Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library
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Whipple Foundation Fund
(administered by Oregon Community Foundation)
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The Ford Family Foundation
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State Library of Oregon Ready to Read Grant
(funded through Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grants)
City of Drain
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North Douglas School District
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Yoncalla Public Library
