For over a decade, the Ann Arbor District Library’s Summer Game has been a beloved local tradition that’s launched readers into a citywide hunt for codes, hidden clues, and delightful surprises—no library card required.
Originally launched in 2011, the Summer Game transformed AADL’s summer reading program into a plethora of scavenger hunts, online challenges, puzzles, and special community events. Every summer, thousands of Ann Arbor residents young and old join in on the fun by hunting for secret codes across town and in the library’s catalog. Those points are then redeemed for fun prizes, which range from T-shirts ad toys to books and other swag in the Summer Game Shop.
After breaking the record for total participants in 2024, the Summer Game is back this year with new twists and surprises, including new puzzles, new collectible badges, and even an end-of-summer ice-skating party. For more information on this year’s Summer Game, we spoke with AADL Communications & Marketing Manager Rich Retyi.
For those unfamiliar, what exactly is the Summer Game and how does it work?
It’s one-part classic summer reading program, and then there’s a whole other section with online codes, riddles, and puzzles to solve. We also have codes hidden all over—on buses, in libraries, even on billboards. People can even make their own codes and post lawn signs. All of it earns you points for prizes in the Summer Game Shop.
The Summer Game has really grown over the years—what has that looked like on your side?
Last year we had a record: 14,672 players, up 2,000 from 2023. The game is as big as it’s ever been, and it’s not just kids playing, either—it’s adults, families, friend groups—everybody engaging with the library in this really creative way.
With that many players, there has to be a lot of moving parts behind the scenes. How do you and the team pull off something of this scale?
There’s a whole Summer Game team that works year-round—testing badges, planning events, coordinating prizes, etc. We’ll probably start talking about prizes for 2026 in October. The Summer Game touches every single unit at the library because, when it’s boiled down, it’s encouraging library usage—and that’s part of all of our jobs.
What kind of impact do you believe the Summer Game has on the community?
It gives people something fun to do together in the summer. Families will go on walks to try and receive badges, friends will get together at AADL events—we’re offering all of these opportunities to do these cool things, and it’s allowing people to connect.
Finally, any advice for players joining for the first time?
You have to play the game to get the game. It’s a little tricky, because there’s so many different things to do—but it doesn’t take long to get it. You just have to jump right in.
The 2025 Summer Game runs June 11 through August 24, 2025. Learn more at play.aadl.org.
"Families will go on walks, friends will get together at AADL events—we’re offering all of these opportunities to do these cool things, and it’s allowing people to connect."
— Rich Retyi