'Unearth A Story' In The EP Library's Summer Reading Challenge

EVERGREEN PARK, IL—Local business owners, educators and village officials are mobilizing a unified network to support and launch the Evergreen Park Public Library’s most ambitious summer reading challenge ever, from June 1 through July 31.

The Evergreen Park library is shaking things up by introducing “Unearth a Story,” a community-wide reading goal that pairs personal reading achievements with an unforgettable village celebration. Last year, 826 local participants logged an impressive 542,108 minutes. For 2026, the library has raised the stakes: the collective community goal is to register 1,000 readers and/or log a total of 750,000 minutes read.

If the community successfully unearths this new milestone, the Evergreen Park Public Library Foundation will sponsor a “historic” End-of-Summer Reading Block Party for everyone from 4 to 7 pm. Saturday, Aug. 8. The celebration will feature games, delicious food, and fun for readers of all ages.

Residents can sign up and find more details by visiting the library's Unearth a Story Summer Reading Challenge page or by visiting the library in person at 9400 S. Troy Avenue.