Summer Reading Program
CSLP
Montana is a member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), a consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries.
By combining resources and working with an exclusive contracted vendor to produce materials designed for CSLP members, Montana public libraries can purchase posters, reading logs, bookmarks, certificates and a variety of reading incentives at significant savings.
Each year, CSLP produces four summer reading programs centered around a similar theme. The four programs offered include: early childhood, children’s, teen, and adult.
The 2025 CSLP Manual is now available for Montana libraries to download and use! Please check with your library director to get the PDF with the access code and directions, or reach out to Bobbi deMontigny for the code
New to Summer Reading and CSLP?
If you are new to Montana, or new to Summer Reading, here are some places for you to start with planning your Summer Reading program!
To Do:
Create a CSLP account at the CSLP website! It's free, and gives you access to more materials and information. To create a FREE account, please follow these directions:
Go to CSLP's website: cslpreads.org
Click on the "Log-in" button in the upper right, and click on "Register" to create your account.
Once you create your account, CSLP will verify your account to make sure your library is part of their membership. This may take a day or two.
Log-in with your account and start exploring the Summer Reading resources that CSLP has to offer! Reach out to the State Library for directions on how to access and download the online manual from the CSLP website. You MUST have a CSLP account to access the manual. The manual is free for Montana public libraries to access.
Participate in Summer Reading Brainstorm Webinars! The Montana State Library will host multiple Summer Reading Brainstorm opportunities in the months leading up to summer.
These will be a mixture of webinars and in-person sessions, usually happening at MLA. This is a great time to bring questions, and hear what your peers are doing.
Learn about the Summer Food Services Programs (SFSP)
The USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free, nutritious meals and snacks to kids throughout the summer months when school is out. The SFSP is administered in Montana by the Office of Public Instruction School Nutrition Programs. Many Montana libraries participate in SFSP, either by participating as a host site and providing space, or providing activities and books for attendees during meal times.
If your library is interesting in participating more in SFSP, please look at the following resources
Summer Food Service Program - OPI Homepage
CSLP Summer Food Resources
Summer Reading Program Grant Opportunities
Town Pump has long supported public libraries through their charitable foundation and have a separate grant for libraries due to the positive impact summer reading was having on student learning outside of school settings.
Each grant is $1,000, and any public library in Montana is eligible to apply. Please see the following information for the application
Please apply through the Town Pump Charitable Foundation Grant Application website. Click on "Keep Kids Reading" to open the grant application. The application period for 2025 is February 24th through April 30th.
Previous Summer Reading Program Themes
Find a whole list of previous SRP themes and slogans on the CSLP website.
