SUMMER READING 2026

Sacramento Public Library

DESIGN STRATEGY FOR SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2026

Design: A vibe, not a logo – like Starbucks holiday cups creating an environment, not a single image. The summer team chose the anchor: Neon Tower Orange and the megaphone shape. We honored that, then grew it – adding the other three colors (Rose Garden Pink, Tower Bridge Gold, Delta Blue), then photos of real staff and community, then the Wiggle (same elements shaking) to keep energy flowing across two months.

Marketing: Reach families where they are: digital teasers, social media, newsletter, Beanstack, out‑of‑home (buses across the city), in‑branch A‑frames and posters, print‑on‑demand flyers (multi‑location, single event, multi‑event), reading logs, prize flyers, promo stickers, color‑changing pencils, activity sheets (English/Spanish), t‑shirts, buttons, mini‑posters ("You can do it / Sí se puede"). Every asset in bilingual.

Storytelling: "Where curiosity means community" – the tagline that drives everything. Summer reading as a shared environment, not a program. The megaphone in orange says "you're part of this." The Wiggle says "keep going." The celebration (medal, tote bag, adult book prize coupon) says "we did it together." Real people in the photos so the community sees itself.

Project Mgmt: Co‑created with the summer reading team – they chose orange and the megaphone; we built the rest. Coordinated two months of production: print‑on‑demand, out‑of‑home vendors, Beanstack digital integration, bilingual translation. The Wiggle as a planned mid‑campaign energy boost. Every asset aligned to the same environment, not a checklist.

(Design + Marketing ÷ Storytelling) × Project Management =

For Summer Reading 26 the team chose the seed. We grew the environment. The community saw itself and kept moving – all the way to the boom.

R. L. STINE 2026

Sacramento Public Library

R.L. STINE IN CONVERSATION WITH MYCHAL THREETS – DESIGN & PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY

Design: A two‑phase reveal. Phase one: tease spooky season with worn‑out presenter photos, polaroid framing, and Goosebumps slime as a mysterious graphic element. Phase two: reveal the full Crest Theater event, with the slime evolving into the event logo. Internal spooky assets created for branch‑level Halloween programming, with templates and training provided for staff use. Outreach stickers featuring levels of horror book engagement extended the campaign beyond digital.

Marketing: Adult audience, nostalgia‑driven. The first phase opened spooky season as a Halloween teaser – building anticipation. The second phase revealed the Crest Theater event. Digital teasers, social media, newsletter, out‑of‑home signage, and outreach materials (stickers with horror engagement levels). The campaign sold out in hours.

Storytelling: The love of reading started with R.L. Stine for a generation. The worn‑out photos and polaroid frames evoked memory and nostalgia. The slime – a Goosebumps icon – teased spooky season before becoming the event's anchor. Phase one: "Something spooky is coming." Phase two: "He's here." A conversation between two legends of library joy.

Project Mgmt: Developed in partnership with CES (Community Engagement Services) for adult audiences. Two‑phase rollout required tight coordination – teaser assets, internal spooky templates, staff training, and the full event reveal. Coordinated outreach materials, stickers, and signage across multiple channels. The sold‑out event within hours proved the strategy worked.

(Design + Marketing ÷ Storytelling) × Project Management =

For R.L. Stine and Mychal Threets, nostalgia met the present – and a generation of readers showed up in hours.

EARLY LEARNING STEAM

Sacramento Public Library

(Design + Marketing ÷ Storytelling) × Project Management =

Program & Communication Design Strategy for a free, equitable STEAM toolkit for caregivers. Project led by Nate Halsan at Sacramento Public Library with support from SCOE Early Learning and as a SMUD Shine awardee. Every child, regardless of means, gets to build, play, and wonder.

VOTE AT THE LIBRARY

Sacramento Public Library

(Design + Marketing ÷ Storytelling) × Project Management =

A visual identity for Vote at the Library – built on brand direction from Pastilla Design Agency and extended into drive‑through signage, multilingual communications (Spanish, Farsi), and the iconic Vote at the Library button. Every voice gets a clear, welcoming path to the ballot.