The BIG Summer Read is starting soon.

Join. Borrow. Read. Win!

Running from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, the BIG Summer Read encourages young readers aged 0 - 18 years to visit their local library and keep reading during the summer holidays.

Last summer, more than 24,000 Victorian children participated, logging thousands of books.

How it works

There are two ways to participate: online and on paper.

Online:

Register online through the Read Books website.
You have the option to log the number of books read OR the number of days spent reading. Log at least 5 books OR 5 days of reading to be eligible for the local, state and national prize draws.
Collect digital badges as you read. Explore different types of books and literacy activities and collect Ambassador Badges, Sponsor Badges, the Read Around Australia Badge, and Bonus Challenge Badges.

On paper:

Pick up a reading log or a bookmark from your library or download it here (available soon).
Read 5 books OR read for at least 5 days to be eligible for the local, state and national prize draws.
Return your completed record or bookmark to your library by Saturday 31st January 2026.

BIG Summer Read Character Hunt

The BIG Summer Read characters are all hiding in our libraries from December 1st. Drop into any of our libraries during open hours to find them, figure out the secret words and claim a lucky dip prize.

This activity is available for ages 0 - 18 years throughout December and January.

Details for Mystery Merch prize draw

All you have to do to win some fun BIG Summer Read merch is...

Drop into your local Goulburn Valley Library during December and January.
Enter your name in the BIG Summer Read Mystery Merch Draw.
1 entry per person aged 0 - 18 years in each fortnightly draw.
A new entry must be filled out for each of the draws

Draw 1 - get your entry in from December 1st - 14th

Draw 2 - get your entry in from December 15th - 28th

Draw 3 - get your entry in from December 29th - January 11th

Draw 4 - get your entry in from January 12th - 25th

Each fortnightly winner will be notified by Goulburn Valley Libraries.

Your Local Library Prizes

Few things in life are better than choosing your own books to buy so... One participant in each of our council areas will win a Collin's Booksellers gift card.

National Prizes

0 - 4 years old: Picture Book Bundle Pack5 - 8 years old: Books and Activity Pack9 - 12 years old: Bluetooth Headphones13 - 18 years old: Kobo eReader

Statewide Prizes

0 - 4 years old: Book Pack + Zoos Victoria Membership5 - 8 years old: Book Pack + Zoos Victoria Membership9 - 12 years old: Book Pack + Zoos Victoria Membership13 - 18 years old: Book Pack + Zoos Victoria Membership

So whether you read books, audio books, picture books, graphic novels... They all count, as does listening to a book read by someone else, and reading the same book multiple times.

Keep an eye on this page and on our Facebook for more updates and join us on December 1st for a fantastic summer of reading and fun.

Middle Learning Community