BIG Summer Read

Join Port Stephens Libraries for the annual summer reading challenge!

If you or your child(ren) are under 18 years old, you can join the BIG Summer Read for your chance to WIN some great prizes!

All you need to do is log at least five (5) days of reading between now and 31 January using the new PLV ReadBooks website here, or pick up a paper entry form from the library*.

ALL types of books are included - audiobooks, eBooks, comic books, graphic novels, you can even get a family member or friend to read aloud to you!

Register online and make sure you choose Raymond Terrace Library, Tomaree Library or Mobile Library as your primary library.

The BIG Summer Read is Australia’s biggest public library-supported reading challenge. Running from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, the campaign encourages young readers aged 0 to 18 years to visit their local library and keep reading during the summer holidays.

The program is free to join, and participants can log the books they read, listen to, or have read to them. Families are encouraged to continue reading aloud to children and track progress through the Read Books website, earning digital badges and entering prize draws.

The program is now open, and books can be logged until Saturday 31 January 2026  - register online here.

It's as simple as: Join. Borrow. Read. Log. Win!

Three simple steps to join the fun

  1. Be a Port Stephens Libraries member. If you don’t have a membership card, that’s ok! You can become a member at any time. Visit your local library or sign up online here.
  2. Join the BIG Summer Read challenge by registering online or filling out a paper log.
  3. Read and log five (5) days of reading for your chance to win! The more you read, the more chances you get! Every 5 days read = one entry.

  • You can log your reading through the official website. Log a minimum of 5 days of reading to be eligible to enter the statewide and local prize draws.
  • Prefer paper? Grab a reading log from your local library branch. When you have logged 5 days of reading, return your entry form to our library staff. The more you read, the more entries you have into the Port Stephens Libraries prize draw.

All children between the ages of 0-18 are welcome to participate.

Independent and non-independent readers can log any book they read - you can read to yourself, out loud, listen to an audiobook or listen as someone reads to you!

Bonus: all types of books count, including physical books, audiobooks, eBooks, graphic novels, comics and manga.

For every 5 days of reading you record online at readbooks.com.au/bsr, you’ll automatically receive one entry into both the national and local prize draws.

Every 5 days read = 1 entry

Local prizes offered by Port Stephens Libraries

  • 0-4 years age category – Book and plush set
  • 5-8 years age category – Author ambassador book hamper
  • 9-12 years age category – Author ambassador book hamper
  • 13-18 years age category – Author ambassador book hamper

National prizes offered by Public Libraries Victoria:

  • 0-4 years age category – Picture Book Bundle Pack
  • 5-8 years age category – Books and Activity Pack
  • 9-12 years age category – Bluetooth Headphones
  • 13-18 years age category – Kobo eReader

  • The Big Summer Read (BSR) competition opens on 1 December 2025 9.00am until 31 January 2026 at 5pm.
  • Library members participating in the BIG Summer Read must be 18 or under (or have turned 19 during the challenge), reside in NSW and must be able to collect their prize from their local Port Stephens Libraries branch. (Prizes cannot be delivered)
  • All prize winners will be notified by 28 February 2026.
  • To be eligible for the BIG Summer Read prize draw, each entrant must:
    • Register for the Big Summer Read on Readbooks via https://readbooks.com.au/bsr or by returning the paper tracking form to their local library
    • Log at least 5 days of reading on the paper tracking form or online using the Readbooks website between 1 December 2025 and 31 January 2026.
    • Not be an immediate family member of Port Stephens Council staff member or Councillor.
  • Winners will be drawn at random from all eligible entries for the Big Summer Read 2025/2026 program.
  • By registering a child for the Big Summer Read on Readbooks, a parent/guardian indicates they accept these Terms and Conditions and give permission for the entry.
  • Prizes will not be awarded to anyone who does not meet the eligibility criteria.
  • Please note that online and paper entrants will be entered into both the national and local prize draws.