‘Tis the Season to Get Ready for Winter Reading

Snowy evening background with pine tree silhouette. Text: Winter Reading San Jose Public Library.

Winter Reading: Dec. 2, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025

The calendar is about to turn to December, which means the winter holidays are upon us! At SJPL, "winter" means Winter Reading — this year's program will run December 2, to January 5, 2025.

All ages can participate to read, learn, and log your reading (4 total books or 4 total hours) for a chance to win cool grand prizes, including toys, games, and electronics! Starting December 2, all youth (ages 0–18) who sign up are eligible to claim a free book at any SJPL location and youth who log at least 4 books or hours of reading can claim a second fun prize as well. Adults (ages 18+) too sign up can claim a free giveaway prize for their enjoyment.

Sign Up

Read Anywhere, Anytime

Whether you are staying home this holiday season or headed out of town, take books along to read in new and different ways! Books are the perfect companion to a cold winter day. Check out some of the library's new arrivals for this winter and try one of these suggestions for your reading pleasure.

  • Read Online with Your Favorite Device: Did you know that SJPL offers books in many digital format: eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines, and comics and graphic novels are at your fingertips at no cost. Take advantage of it and start reading today!
  •  On a Trip: Bring your next read to local attractions or to the great outdoors. Get free access to local museums and attractions through Discover & Go, or visit a local county park, or one of the California State Parks -- both with free parking pass from the library.
  • As Part of a Class: Local educators can register class(es) of any grade level as a group via Beanstack for a chance to win a curated book bundle, as well as a cool USB document camera for their professional use. Educators and youth are encouraged to log reading before and during their school’s Winter Break.

Plan Your Winter Event Schedule

Did you know that SJPL offers hundreds of weekly programs and events? To better anticipate the Winter Reading program, feel free to attend one of our many upcoming programs! A growing list of winter holiday events are happening all through December.

Winter Holiday Events

Questions? Contact SJPL

If you have any questions leading up to our Winter Reading program — registration, events, prizes, giveaways, rules, Beanstack — please contact your nearest SJPL branch via email, phone, or in person during open hours. You can also use chat with us online. Read our FAQ section for more details about Winter Reading at SJPL.

Frequently Asked Questions