[cid:062f2501-e6c9-4345-9bb7-115e210acad1] The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is excited to announce its 2026 program with the all-ages theme of dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology and the slogan Unearth a Story™ featuring artwork by Tom Bonson. CSLP member libraries across the country chose this theme because these topics are high-interest areas, offering rich opportunities to spark curiosity, imagination, and learning across all age groups. The slogan Unearth a Story™ was chosen to align with this theme in a way that invites layered interpretation. Whether readers are digging into a good book, uncovering hidden histories, or exploring the past, the slogan underscores the joy of discovery that reading brings. It also emphasizes that every person and every community has stories waiting to be found and shared—through books, programs, and local knowledge. Every Michigan public library has access to the CSLP manual online<https://forms.gle/b2vf7DroM6d8eSt27>. The CSLP manual is an ideabook of programs, booklists, printables, and other resources that you may use in planning and producing your summer library program. It also includes a collection of posters, banners, art spots, and other graphics files to accompany the Unearth a Story™ theme. The 2026 CSLP manual also features a chapter of Celebrating America 250™ program ideas for all ages. Public library directors received an email last week with the manual code to forward on to summer library programming staff. If you work on summer reading (all ages) in a public library and did not receive the code, please use your official work email to request the manual code<https://forms.gle/R46YHHzFqX47AoMq6>. The CSLP shop<https://shop.cslpreads.org/> is open for 2026. You may also browse the product line in the Unearth a Story™ product catalog<https://www.cslpreads.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CSLP-2026-ProductCatalog_FIN-10.1.pdf> (PDF). In addition to publicity items, décor, incentives, and t-shirts, the CSLP manual is available for purchase in paper format. Purchases from the CSLP shop are at the library’s discretion and are the library’s responsibility. Don’t see something you are looking for? Custom orders are available: https://shop.cslpreads.org/custom-orders/. Please review the CSLP Intellectual Property Rules (Rules of Use)<https://www.cslpreads.org/membership-information/rules-of-use/>. Of note: 1. You may use CSLP artwork and slogans (with copyright) on all online and paper items created in-house or through other vendors. 2. You may share a limited number of art files with your nonprofit partners (e.g. schools, parks, government agencies, etc.) for their use in supporting and promoting your library's summer programming. The copyright (©CSLP) and/or trademark (TM) symbols may not be removed from the files. 3. Do not share the manual or artwork files with anyone not employed at your library, except as described in #1 & 2 above and in the CSLP Intellectual Property Rules. Email me if you need clarification! To request permission to create customized non-paper items or items for resale, contact the CSLP Executive Director<https://www.cslpreads.org/contact-us/>. CSLP retains ownership of all art provided by the artists for its programs since 2017. Public libraries may use current or past (2017-2026) CSLP artwork for your SLP or any other programming throughout the year, now or anytime in the future. When you log in to the CSLP website using the 2026 manual access code, you can also access the complete manuals and artwork from 2020-2025. The 2024 and 2025 manual and artwork are in the same place as the 2026 manual. The earlier manuals are here<https://www.cslpreads.org/summer-program-archives/>. This program is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Libraries. Thank you, Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan] [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
